Gardening FAQ UK

Most UK gardeners start sowing indoors in January or February for crops like chillies, aubergines, and early tomatoes. The main indoor sowing season runs February to April; outdoor sowing begins in March once soil reaches 7°C. See our UK Vegetable Planting Calendar for crop-specific dates.

The UK average last frost date ranges from mid-April in the south to late May in Scotland and northern uplands. Frost-tender crops (tomatoes, courgettes, beans, basil) should not be planted outside until after your local last frost date. Check the Met Office for your area.

The most common causes are soil too cold, too wet or dry, seeds sown too deep, or old seed with low viability. Check the recommended soil temperature for each crop — most vegetables need at least 7°C, warmth-lovers like tomatoes need 18°C+. See our seeds not germinating guide.

Slugs are the most common UK garden pest. The most effective controls are: fine copper tape or wool barriers around pots; nematode soil treatments (Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita); removing hiding places like debris; encouraging predators like hedgehogs. Organic slug pellets (ferric phosphate) are a last resort. See our slugs and snails guide.

Blight cannot be cured once established — prevention is essential. Choose blight-resistant varieties (Crimson Crush, Ferline), ensure good airflow between plants, water at the base not the leaves, and remove and bin (not compost) any affected material. See our tomato blight guide.

For seed sowing, use a fine seed compost with low nutrients. For potting on, use a multipurpose or peat-free potting compost. For beds, incorporate well-rotted garden compost or manure. Avoid using fresh (un-composted) manure directly on crops. See our best soil for vegetables guide.

Start with your available space and sun exposure (south-facing is best). Group crops by family for rotation and plant taller crops to the north so they don't shade shorter ones. Leave paths 45–60cm wide. See our common vegetable garden layout mistakes guide.

It depends on the month: each of our month guides lists what to sow and plant now, and the UK vegetable planting calendar shows every crop on one page.

Hardy crops are sown from early spring; tender crops such as tomatoes, courgettes and beans go outside only after the risk of frost has passed, which the RHS puts at the second half of May in southern England and early to mid June in Scotland. See regional gardening in the UK.

Runner beans are frost-tender, so sow them outside once frost is over. Our May guide lists them among the outdoor sowings. Full guide: how to grow runner beans.

First earies go in around the end of March, second earlies and maincrops in April (our March and April guides). Full guide: how to grow potatoes.

Sow them indoors in spring and plant them out once frost is over; our June guide lists both for planting out. Guides: courgettes, tomatoes.

Stop watering until the top of the soil dries, and fix the drainage: see overwatered plants.

Sow leeks in spring and plant them out in summer: see how to grow leeks and our July guide.