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What To Sow
North East

What to sow in Sunderland

Sunderland's exposed coastal position means cold spring winds, but the sea keeps winter temperatures from dropping as low as inland areas. The allotment tradition here is strong — robust varieties and cloches are your friends.

Last frost date8 MayEstimated average
First autumn frost30 SeptemberEstimated average
Growing season145 daysFrost-free period
March 2026

What to sow in Sunderland right now

Based on a last frost date of 8 May, these are the crops you can get going in Sunderland this month.

Broad beansPinch out the growing tips once the first pods form to discourage blackfly. They'll also ripen faster.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
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 indoors
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
KaleGets sweeter after a frost. One of the hardiest crops — can harvest all winter.
Sow indoors
LeeksDrop seedlings into deep holes and just water in — no need to fill the hole. They'll fatten up on their own.
Sow indoors
BroccoliCut the main head first and you'll get side shoots for weeks. Purple sprouting is the real star — worth the long wait.
Sow indoors
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 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
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
Full year

Sunderland sowing calendar

Month-by-month sowing times for Sunderland, based on a last frost date of 8 May.

January

No sowing activity this month.

February

Broad beansILeeksIBrussels sproutsICeleryIPeppersIChilliesIAubergineI

March

Now
Broad beansI/DPeasI/DLettuceISpinachDKaleILeeksIBroccoliICabbageICauliflowerIBrussels sproutsIParsleyICeleryITomatoesIPeppersIChilliesIAubergineIBasilI

April

Broad beansD/PPeasI/D/PLettuceI/D/PSpinachDRadishesDCarrotsDBeetrootI/DOnion setsDPotatoes (early)DKaleI/DParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardI/DTurnipsDBroccoliI/DCabbageI/PCauliflowerIBrussels sproutsPParsleyI/DSweetcornICourgettesIFrench beansISquashIPumpkinsICorianderIRocketI/DPak choiIFennelITomatoesICucumbersIRunner beansIBasilI

May

Broad beansPPeasPLettuceD/PRadishesDCarrotsDBeetrootI/D/PKaleD/PParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardI/D/PTurnipsDLeeksPBroccoliD/PCabbagePCauliflowerPBrussels sproutsPParsleyDSweetcornD/PCourgettesI/D/PFrench beansI/D/PSquashI/PPumpkinsI/PCorianderI/DRocketI/DPak choiI/D/PFennelI/D/PCeleryPDillDTomatoesPPeppersPChilliesPCucumbersPRunner beansI/D/PAuberginePBasilD/P

June

Swiss chardPLeeksPSweetcornD/PCourgettesD/PFrench beansD/PSquashPPumpkinsPPak choiDFennelD/PCeleryPDillDTomatoesPPeppersPChilliesPCucumbersPRunner beansD/PAuberginePBasilD/P

July

No sowing activity this month.

August

No sowing activity this month.

September

No sowing activity this month.

October

No sowing activity this month.

November

GarlicD

December

No sowing activity this month.

I = Sow indoorsD = Direct sowP = Plant out

Get more precise dates for Sunderland

This guide uses the frost date for Sunderland 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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