Pignut (Conopodium majus)
1 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early May to late May
- Site
- 3+ hours of sun, soil pH 4.5–6
In the UK, pignuts go in the ground early May to late May.
Pignuts (Conopodium majus) — perennial.
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: there are 4 separate regional sowing windows, ranging from early May in Southern England to early May in Scotland.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
Quick Facts
Soil & Growing Conditions
Growth Stages
Harvest & Storage
Pignut, One of the Tastiest Wild Foods
References
-
Ferny, carrot-like, mid-green basal foliage with delicate, white umbel flowers on stems less than 30cm. Produces edible tubers resembling chestnuts. Native to Europe, also native to GB/Ireland. Hardiness H6 (-20 to -15C). Full sun or partial shade. Soil: loam, sand; acidic pH; moist but well-drained or poorly-drained. Height/spread 0.1-0.5m. Time to maturity 1-2 years. Propagate by seed. Generally pest-free and disease-free. Small round tubers are edible, commonly known as pignuts, also food for badgers. Prefers dryish conditions, well-drained and slightly acidic soils, found naturally in open grassland and woods.
1 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow pignuts in the UK?
In Southern England, from early May. In Scotland, wait until early May. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow pignuts?
Sow early May to late May.
What soil pH do pignuts need?
A pH of about 4.5–6. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Last verified 2026-08-29
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.