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What To Sow
South East

What to sow in Canterbury

Kent is the 'Garden of England' for good reason. Canterbury's location gives it warm summers and the continental influence from the east means drier conditions — ideal for crops that dislike wet feet.

Last frost date20 AprilEstimated average
First autumn frost17 OctoberEstimated average
Growing season180 daysFrost-free period
June 2026

What to sow in Canterbury right now

Based on a last frost date of 20 April, these are the crops you can get going in Canterbury 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

Canterbury sowing calendar

Month-by-month sowing times for Canterbury, based on a last frost date of 20 April.

January
LeeksI
February
Broad beansI/DPeasILeeksICabbageICauliflowerIBrussels sproutsIParsleyICeleryITomatoesIPeppersIChilliesIAubergineIGooseberriesPBlackcurrantsPRedcurrantsPRhubarbP
March
Broad beansI/D/PPeasI/D/PLettuceI/DSpinachDRadishesDCarrotsDBeetrootIOnion setsDPotatoes (early)DKaleI/DParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardITurnipsDBroccoliI/DCabbageICauliflowerIBrussels sproutsIParsleyI/DSweetcornICourgettesIFrench beansISquashIPumpkinsICorianderIRocketIPak choiIFennelICeleryITomatoesIPeppersIChilliesICucumbersIRunner beansIAubergineIBasilIStrawberriesPRaspberriesPBlackberriesPGooseberriesPBlackcurrantsPRedcurrantsPRhubarbP
April
Broad beansPPeasPLettuceD/PRadishesDCarrotsDBeetrootI/D/POnion setsDPotatoes (maincrop)DPotatoes (early)DKaleD/PParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardI/D/PTurnipsDBroccoliD/PCabbagePCauliflowerPBrussels sproutsPParsleyDSweetcornI/DCourgettesI/DFrench beansI/DSquashIPumpkinsICorianderI/DRocketI/DPak choiI/D/PFennelI/DDillDCucumbersIRunner beansI/DStrawberriesP
May
BeetrootPPotatoes (maincrop)DKalePSwiss chardPLeeksPBroccoliPCauliflowerPSweetcornD/PCourgettesD/PFrench beansD/PSquashPPumpkinsPCorianderDPak 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 Canterbury

This guide uses the frost date for Canterbury city centre. Your exact frost date depends on your postcode — enter it below for personalised sowing dates, soil temperature, and frost forecasts.

Near Canterbury

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