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What To Sow
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
June 2026

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.

PeppersStart early — they're slow growers. Pinch out the first flower to encourage bushier growth and more fruit overall.
Plant out
ChilliesNeed heat to germinate — use a propagator or the warmest windowsill you've got. The more sun they get, the hotter the fruit.
Plant out
CucumbersOutdoor varieties are tougher and easier than greenhouse ones. Keep picking and they keep producing — ignore them and they swell to marrow size.
Plant out
AubergineStart very early — January isn't too soon. Limit to 5-6 fruits per plant if you want decent-sized aubergines rather than marbles.
Plant out
Full year

Birmingham sowing calendar

Month-by-month sowing times for Birmingham, based on a last frost date of 24 April.

January
LeeksI
February
Broad beansI/DPeasILeeksICabbageICauliflowerIBrussels sproutsIParsleyICeleryITomatoesIPeppersIChilliesIAubergineIGooseberriesPBlackcurrantsPRedcurrantsPRhubarbP
March
Broad beansI/D/PPeasI/DLettuceI/DSpinachDRadishesDBeetrootIOnion setsDPotatoes (early)DKaleI/DParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardITurnipsDBroccoliI/DCabbageICauliflowerIBrussels sproutsIParsleyI/DSweetcornICourgettesISquashIPumpkinsICorianderIRocketIPak choiIFennelICeleryITomatoesIPeppersIChilliesICucumbersIRunner beansIAubergineIBasilIStrawberriesPRaspberriesPBlackberriesPGooseberriesPBlackcurrantsPRedcurrantsPRhubarbP
April
Broad beansPPeasD/PLettuceI/D/PSpinachDRadishesDCarrotsDBeetrootI/D/POnion setsDPotatoes (maincrop)DPotatoes (early)DKaleI/D/PParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardI/DTurnipsDBroccoliI/D/PCabbagePCauliflowerPBrussels sproutsPParsleyDSweetcornICourgettesIFrench beansISquashIPumpkinsICorianderI/DRocketI/DPak choiI/PFennelICucumbersIRunner beansIBasilIStrawberriesPRaspberriesPBlackberriesP
May
LettucePBeetrootD/PPotatoes (maincrop)DKalePSwiss chardD/PLeeksPBroccoliPCabbagePCauliflowerPBrussels sproutsPSweetcornD/PCourgettesD/PFrench beansD/PSquashPPumpkinsPCorianderDRocketDPak choiD/PFennelD/PCeleryPDillDTomatoesPPeppersPChilliesPCucumbersPRunner beansD/PAuberginePBasilD/P
JuneNow
PeppersPChilliesPCucumbersPAubergineP
July

No sowing activity this month.

August

No sowing activity this month.

September

No sowing activity this month.

October
GarlicD
November
GarlicD
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.

Near Birmingham

Other sowing guides in West Midlands.

CoventryWest MidlandsStoke-on-TrentStaffordshireWorcesterWorcestershireWolverhamptonWest Midlands

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