West Midlands
What to sow in Birmingham
Birmingham's urban sprawl creates a heat island that can extend the growing season by a week or two. Clay soils are common — they're rich but heavy, so add organic matter to improve drainage.
Last frost date24 AprilEstimated average
First autumn frost13 OctoberEstimated average
Growing season172 daysFrost-free period
What to sow in Birmingham right now
Based on a last frost date of 24 April, these are the crops you can get going in Birmingham this month.
Broad beansPinch out the growing tips once the first pods form to discourage blackfly. They'll also ripen faster.
Sow indoorsDirect sowPlant out
PeasSow every 3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Pick regularly to keep them producing — leave one pod on and the whole plant slows down.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
LettuceSow a short row every 2 weeks and you'll never buy a supermarket bag again. Pick outer leaves to keep it going.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
SpinachBolts the moment it gets hot. Best in spring and autumn. Pick little and often — a whole plant cooks down to about two mouthfuls.
Direct sow
RadishesThe quickest crop you can grow — seed to plate in 4 weeks. Sow between slower crops to use the space while you wait.
Direct sow
BeetrootEach seed cluster produces several seedlings — thin to the strongest. Don't chuck the leaves, they're delicious wilted with butter.
Sow indoors
Onion setsPush sets into the soil with the tip just showing. Easiest way to grow onions — skip seed unless you enjoy waiting.
Direct sow
Potatoes (early)Chit (sprout) seed potatoes on a windowsill before planting. Earth up as they grow — if you see green skin, it's toxic.
Direct sow
KaleGets sweeter after a frost. One of the hardiest crops — can harvest all winter.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
ParsnipsVery slow to germinate (2-4 weeks). Use fresh seed every year. Sow radishes alongside to mark the row.
Direct sow
Spring onionsSow a pinch every few weeks and you'll have spring onions all season. Dead easy — one of the best crops for beginners.
Direct sow
Swiss chardBeautiful and productive. Pick outer leaves and it keeps going for months. Rainbow chard looks stunning.
Sow indoors
TurnipsHarvest when golf-ball sized for the sweetest flavour. Leave them too long and they go woody. Quick-growing gap filler.
Direct sow
BroccoliCut the main head first and you'll get side shoots for weeks. Purple sprouting is the real star — worth the long wait.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
CabbageDifferent varieties for each season — spring, summer, autumn, and winter types. Red cabbage is less bothered by caterpillars.
Sow indoors
CauliflowerFold outer leaves over the curd to keep it white. Cauliflower leaves are delicious too — don't throw them away.
Sow indoors
Brussels sproutsGrow through summer, harvest from autumn through winter. Flavour improves after frost. Start early — they're slow.
Sow indoors
ParsleySlow to germinate (3-4 weeks) — don't give up on it. Soak seeds overnight in warm water to speed things up. Flat-leaf has the stronger flavour.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
SweetcornPlant in a block, not a row — they're wind-pollinated and need neighbours. Each plant gives you 1-2 cobs, so don't be stingy with numbers.
Sow indoors
CourgettesYou only need 2-3 plants. Seriously. Pick them small (15cm) or they turn into marrows overnight.
Sow indoors
SquashBig hungry plants — give them space and feed them well. Leave to cure in the sun before storing and they'll keep for months.
Sow indoors
PumpkinsLimit each plant to 2-3 fruits for bigger pumpkins. Sit them on a tile or slate to stop rot from underneath.
Sow indoors
CorianderBolts at the slightest excuse. Sow every 3-4 weeks, pick frequently, and choose slow-bolt varieties. It's a race you can win if you stay on top of it.
Sow indoors
RocketDead easy and fast. Gets spicier in hot weather — which is either a feature or a bug depending on your taste. Pick leaves small for salads.
Sow indoors
Pak choiSow early spring or after midsummer — it'll bolt faster than you can blink in the heat. Worth it though. Fast-growing and very rewarding.
Sow indoors
FennelSow after midsummer for best bulbs — earlier sowings often bolt. Don't transplant bare-root, it hates root disturbance. Use modules.
Sow indoors
CelerySow seeds on the surface — they need light to germinate. Start early in a propagator. Cutting celery is much easier than trench celery if you're new to it.
Sow indoors
TomatoesPinch out side shoots on cordon types. Feed weekly with tomato feed once the first truss sets. Don't overwater — flavour comes from a bit of stress.
Sow indoors
PeppersStart early — they're slow growers. Pinch out the first flower to encourage bushier growth and more fruit overall.
Sow indoors
ChilliesNeed heat to germinate — use a propagator or the warmest windowsill you've got. The more sun they get, the hotter the fruit.
Sow indoors
CucumbersOutdoor varieties are tougher and easier than greenhouse ones. Keep picking and they keep producing — ignore them and they swell to marrow size.
Sow indoors
Runner beansBuild a strong frame — they get seriously heavy. Pick every 2-3 days or they go stringy and the plant stops producing.
Sow indoors
AubergineStart very early — January isn't too soon. Limit to 5-6 fruits per plant if you want decent-sized aubergines rather than marbles.
Sow indoors
BasilPinch out flower buds to keep leaves coming. Harvest from the top to encourage bushy growth. Loves heat — don't even think about putting it outside before June.
Sow indoors
Birmingham sowing calendar
Month-by-month sowing times for Birmingham, based on a last frost date of 24 April.
January
February
March
NowBroad beansI/D/PPeasI/DLettuceI/DSpinachDRadishesDBeetrootIOnion setsDPotatoes (early)DKaleI/DParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardITurnipsDBroccoliI/DCabbageICauliflowerIBrussels sproutsIParsleyI/DSweetcornICourgettesISquashIPumpkinsICorianderIRocketIPak choiIFennelICeleryITomatoesIPeppersIChilliesICucumbersIRunner beansIAubergineIBasilI
April
Broad beansPPeasD/PLettuceI/D/PSpinachDRadishesDCarrotsDBeetrootI/D/POnion setsDPotatoes (early)DKaleI/D/PParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardI/DTurnipsDBroccoliI/D/PCabbagePCauliflowerPBrussels sproutsPParsleyDSweetcornICourgettesIFrench beansISquashIPumpkinsICorianderI/DRocketI/DPak choiI/PFennelICucumbersIRunner beansIBasilI
May
July
No sowing activity this month.
August
No sowing activity this month.
September
No sowing activity this month.
October
November
December
No sowing activity this month.
I = Sow indoorsD = Direct sowP = Plant out
Get more precise dates for Birmingham
This guide uses the frost date for Birmingham city centre. Your exact frost date depends on your postcode — enter it below for personalised sowing dates, soil temperature, and frost forecasts.
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