A structured reference for growing 38 vegetables, fruit and herbs in UK gardens and allotments — sowing and harvest windows, plant spacing, common pests with organic controls, and companion planting. This is the same knowledge base that powers the free Garden Layout Planner, published here as plain, readable data.
Sources & conditions. Built from a Gemini Deep Research report anchored on RHS (rhs.org.uk) and Garden Organic, UK conditions. Timings are a baseline for Central UK — adjust one to three weeks later in the north, earlier in the south. Month ranges show typical UK windows, not hard limits.
Quick reference: all 38 crops
| Crop | Family | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Spacing | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato (outdoor / cordon) | Potato & tomato family | Feb–Apr | May | Jul–Sep | 45 cm apart (~4.9/m²) | Full sun |
| Potato (maincrop) | Potato & tomato family | Apr | Apr | Aug–Oct | 41 cm apart (~6/m²) | Full sun |
| Carrot | Roots / umbellifers | Feb–Jul | — | May–Oct | 10 cm apart (~100/m²) | Full sun |
| Onion (from sets) | Onion family | Jan–Apr | Mar, Apr, Sep | — | 13 cm apart (~60/m²) | Full sun |
| Shallot | Onion family | Feb–Apr | Mar–May | Jun–Aug | 16 cm apart (~40/m²) | Full sun |
| Spring onion | Onion family | Mar–Aug | Apr–May | Mar–Sep | 7 cm apart (~200/m²) | Full sun |
| Leek | Onion family | Mar–Apr | May–Jul | Jan, Feb, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec | 22 cm apart (~20/m²) | full-or-partial |
| Garlic | Onion family | Feb, Mar, Nov | Feb, Mar, Nov | Jun–Jul | 21 cm apart (~22/m²) | Full sun |
| Runner bean | Legumes | Apr–May | May–Jun | Jul–Oct | — | Full sun |
| French bean (dwarf) | Legumes | Apr–Jun | May–Jun | Jul–Aug | 24 cm apart (~18/m²) | Full sun |
| Broad bean | Legumes | Jan, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec | Mar | Jun–Aug | 29 cm apart (~12/m²) | Full sun |
| Pea | Legumes | Mar–Jun | Mar–Apr | Jun–Sep | 17 cm apart (~33/m²) | Full sun |
| Cabbage (summer/autumn) | Brassicas | Feb–Jun | May–Jul | Jul–Oct | 58 cm apart (~3/m²) | Full sun |
| Kale | Brassicas | May–Jun | Jun–Jul | Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec | 30 cm apart (~11.1/m²) | full-or-partial |
| Broccoli / calabrese | Brassicas | Apr–Jun | Jun–Jul | Sep–Dec | 20 cm apart (~25/m²) | Full sun |
| Cauliflower | Brassicas | Mar–May | Jun–Jul | Aug–Nov | 58 cm apart (~3/m²) | Full sun |
| Brussels sprouts | Brassicas | Feb–May | Jun | Sep–Dec | 61 cm apart (~2.7/m²) | Full sun |
| Turnip | Brassicas | Mar–Aug | — | May–Nov | 21 cm apart (~22/m²) | full-or-partial |
| Swede | Brassicas | Apr–Jul | — | Jan, Feb, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec | 26 cm apart (~15/m²) | Full sun |
| Radish | Brassicas | Feb–Aug | — | Mar–Sep | 7 cm apart (~200/m²) | full-or-partial |
| Rocket | Brassicas | Feb–Sep | Mar–May | Apr–Oct | 15 cm apart (~44/m²) | full-or-partial |
| Lettuce | Flexible / other | Feb–Sep | Mar–Jun | May–Oct | 25 cm apart (~16/m²) | full-or-partial |
| Spinach | Flexible / other | Mar, Apr, May, Sep | — | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec | 21 cm apart (~22/m²) | full-or-partial |
| Swiss chard | Flexible / other | Mar–Jul | Apr–Jul | Jun–Oct | 21 cm apart (~22/m²) | full-or-partial |
| Beetroot | Roots / umbellifers | Mar–Jul | Mar–May | Jun–Oct | 10 cm apart (~100/m²) | Full sun |
| Parsnip | Roots / umbellifers | Apr–May | — | Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec | — | full-or-partial |
| Celery | Roots / umbellifers | Mar–Apr | May–Jun | Aug–Oct | 23 cm apart (~18.9/m²) | full-or-partial |
| Celeriac | Roots / umbellifers | Mar | May–Jun | Sep–Dec | 30 cm apart (~11.1/m²) | full-or-partial |
| Courgette | Cucurbits | Apr–May | May | Jul–Sep | 100 cm apart (~1/m²) | Full sun |
| Winter squash | Cucurbits | Apr–May | May | Sep–Nov | 100 cm apart (~1/m²) | Full sun |
| Pumpkin | Cucurbits | Apr–Jun | May–Jun | Sep–Oct | 112 cm apart (~0.8/m²) | Full sun |
| Cucumber (outdoor / ridge) | Cucurbits | Apr | Jun | Jul–Sep | — | Full sun |
| Sweetcorn | Flexible / other | Apr–Jun | May–Jun | Aug–Oct | 45 cm apart (~4.9/m²) | Full sun |
| Pepper / chilli | Potato & tomato family | Feb–Apr | May | Jul–Sep | — | Full sun |
| Aubergine | Potato & tomato family | Feb–Mar | May | Aug–Oct | — | Full sun |
| Strawberry | Perennials | Aug–Sep | Mar–May | Jun–Jul | 48 cm apart (~4.4/m²) | Full sun |
| Rhubarb | Perennials | Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov | Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov | Apr–Jul | 110 cm apart (~0.83/m²) | full-or-partial |
| Asparagus | Perennials | — | Mar–Apr | Apr–May | — | Full sun |
Legumes
Nitrogen-fixing; brassicas benefit following them. Peas & beans.
Runner bean
Phaseolus coccineus · Fabaceae
- Sow
- Apr–May (indoors)
- Plant out
- May–Jun
- Harvest
- Jul–Oct
- Spacing
- —
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Blackfly / aphids — Pinch out growing tips once at top of supports.
Bean rust — Clear plant debris; rotate.
Good companions: sweetcorn, pumpkin, Nasturtium
French bean (dwarf)
Phaseolus vulgaris · Fabaceae
- Sow
- Apr–Jun (indoors)
- Plant out
- May–Jun
- Harvest
- Jul–Aug
- Spacing
- 24 cm apart (~18/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Bean seed fly — Exclude early sowings with fleece.
Bean rust — Strict crop rotation.
Good companions: Nasturtium
Broad bean
Vicia faba · Fabaceae
- Sow
- Jan, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec (direct)
- Plant out
- Mar
- Harvest
- Jun–Aug
- Spacing
- 29 cm apart (~12/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Blackfly — Pinch out shoot tips once first pods set.
Pea & bean weevil — Tolerate leaf-notch damage on established plants.
Good companions: Nasturtium
Pea
Pisum sativum · Fabaceae
- Sow
- Mar–Jun (direct)
- Plant out
- Mar–Apr
- Harvest
- Jun–Sep
- Spacing
- 17 cm apart (~33/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Mice — Start indoors (e.g. in guttering) to protect seed.
Powdery mildew — Deep, consistent watering in dry spells.
Brassicas
Clubroot & cabbage root fly risk; net & rotate. Cabbage, kale, roots like turnip/swede/radish/rocket.
Cabbage (summer/autumn)
Brassica oleracea (Capitata) · Brassicaceae
- Sow
- Feb–Jun (module)
- Plant out
- May–Jul
- Harvest
- Jul–Oct
- Spacing
- 58 cm apart (~3/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Cabbage root fly — Fine mesh or cabbage collars at the stem base.
Club root — Rotate; lime acidic soil; never repeat brassicas in same bed.
Good companions: Clover / trefoil (living mulch)
Kale
Brassica oleracea (Acephala) · Brassicaceae
- Sow
- May–Jun (direct)
- Plant out
- Jun–Jul
- Harvest
- Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
- Spacing
- 30 cm apart (~11.1/m²)
- Sun
- full-or-partial
Watch for: Cabbage root fly — Insect-proof mesh; collars.
Good companions: Clover / trefoil (living mulch)
Broccoli / calabrese
Brassica oleracea (Italica) · Brassicaceae
- Sow
- Apr–Jun (module)
- Plant out
- Jun–Jul
- Harvest
- Sep–Dec
- Spacing
- 20 cm apart (~25/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Cabbage root fly — Fine mesh covering.
Good companions: Clover / trefoil (living mulch)
Cauliflower
Brassica oleracea (Botrytis) · Brassicaceae
- Sow
- Mar–May (module)
- Plant out
- Jun–Jul
- Harvest
- Aug–Nov
- Spacing
- 58 cm apart (~3/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Cabbage caterpillars — Physical mesh barrier against Large/Small White butterflies.
Club root — Crop rotation to prevent build-up.
Good companions: Clover / trefoil (living mulch)
Brussels sprouts
Brassica oleracea (Gemmifera) · Brassicaceae
- Sow
- Feb–May (module)
- Plant out
- Jun
- Harvest
- Sep–Dec
- Spacing
- 61 cm apart (~2.7/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Cabbage root fly — Grow under insect-proof mesh.
Pigeons — Taut netting over winter foliage.
Good companions: Clover / trefoil (living mulch)
Turnip
Brassica rapa (Rapifera) · Brassicaceae
- Sow
- Mar–Aug (direct)
- Harvest
- May–Nov
- Spacing
- 21 cm apart (~22/m²)
- Sun
- full-or-partial
Watch for: Flea beetle — Fleece if severe; cosmetic damage often tolerable.
Club root — Enforce crop rotation.
Good companions: Clover / trefoil (living mulch)
Swede
Brassica napus (Napobrassica) · Brassicaceae
- Sow
- Apr–Jul (direct)
- Harvest
- Jan, Feb, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Spacing
- 26 cm apart (~15/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Powdery mildew — Keep moisture consistent; mulch to avoid drought stress.
Cabbage root fly — Mesh covering.
Good companions: Clover / trefoil (living mulch)
Radish
Raphanus sativus · Brassicaceae
- Sow
- Feb–Aug (direct)
- Harvest
- Mar–Sep
- Spacing
- 7 cm apart (~200/m²)
- Sun
- full-or-partial
Watch for: Flea beetle — Fleece over drills at sowing.
Slugs & snails — Nematode biocontrol in damp spring weather.
Rocket
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa · Brassicaceae
- Sow
- Feb–Sep (direct)
- Plant out
- Mar–May
- Harvest
- Apr–Oct
- Spacing
- 15 cm apart (~44/m²)
- Sun
- full-or-partial
Watch for: Flea beetle — Physical barrier; tolerate cosmetic shot-holes.
Slugs & snails — Protect young plants / biocontrol.
Onion family
White rot persists in soil for years; long rotation. Onion, garlic, leek, shallot, spring onion.
Onion (from sets)
Allium cepa · Amaryllidaceae
- Sow
- Jan–Apr (direct)
- Plant out
- Mar, Apr, Sep
- Harvest
- —
- Spacing
- 13 cm apart (~60/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Birds — Fleece/net until sets are rooted (birds tug them out).
Onion white rot — No cure in soil — enforce strict long rotation.
Good companions: carrot
Shallot
Allium cepa var. aggregatum · Amaryllidaceae
- Sow
- Feb–Apr (direct)
- Plant out
- Mar–May
- Harvest
- Jun–Aug
- Spacing
- 16 cm apart (~40/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Onion neck rot — Cure and dry-store well; usually appears in storage.
Onion fly / leek moth — Physical insect-proof mesh.
Spring onion
Allium fistulosum / A. cepa · Amaryllidaceae
- Sow
- Mar–Aug (direct)
- Plant out
- Apr–May
- Harvest
- Mar–Sep
- Spacing
- 7 cm apart (~200/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Onion downy mildew — Avoid dense sowing; keep airflow.
Slugs — Biological/nematode control in damp weather.
Leek
Allium porrum · Amaryllidaceae
- Sow
- Mar–Apr (direct)
- Plant out
- May–Jul
- Harvest
- Jan, Feb, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Spacing
- 22 cm apart (~20/m²)
- Sun
- full-or-partial
Watch for: Leek rust — Resistant cultivars; avoid crowding for airflow.
Allium leaf miner — Insect-proof mesh over the crop.
Garlic
Allium sativum · Amaryllidaceae
- Sow
- Feb, Mar, Nov (direct)
- Plant out
- Feb, Mar, Nov
- Harvest
- Jun–Jul
- Spacing
- 21 cm apart (~22/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Slugs — Biological control on new spring growth.
Leek rust — Space adequately for airflow.
Good companions: strawberry
Potato & tomato family
Blight-prone heavy feeders; keep apart & rotate hard. Potato, tomato, pepper, aubergine.
Tomato (outdoor / cordon)
Solanum lycopersicum · Solanaceae
- Sow
- Feb–Apr (indoors)
- Plant out
- May
- Harvest
- Jul–Sep
- Spacing
- 45 cm apart (~4.9/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Tomato blight — Use resistant cultivars; keep foliage dry; rotate away from potatoes.
Blossom end rot — Water consistently to maintain calcium uptake.
Good companions: French marigold (Tagetes), Basil
Potato (maincrop)
Solanum tuberosum · Solanaceae
- Sow
- Apr (direct)
- Plant out
- Apr
- Harvest
- Aug–Oct
- Spacing
- 41 cm apart (~6/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Potato blight — Remove top growth at first sign; grow certified seed; rotate.
Potato scab — Rotate crops; avoid dry soil; add fresh compost.
Pepper / chilli
Capsicum · Solanaceae
- Sow
- Feb–Apr (indoors)
- Plant out
- May
- Harvest
- Jul–Sep
- Spacing
- —
- Sun
- Full sun · needs protection/greenhouse
Watch for: Glasshouse red spider mite — Damp down floors to raise humidity.
Aphids / whitefly — Trap crops or biological controls.
Aubergine
Solanum melongena · Solanaceae
- Sow
- Feb–Mar (indoors)
- Plant out
- May
- Harvest
- Aug–Oct
- Spacing
- —
- Sun
- Full sun · needs protection/greenhouse
Watch for: Glasshouse whitefly — Biological predators or trap crops.
Glasshouse red spider mite — Increase humidity by damping down.
Roots / umbellifers
Carrot fly risk. Carrot, parsnip, beetroot, celery, celeriac.
Carrot
Daucus carota · Apiaceae
- Sow
- Feb–Jul (direct)
- Harvest
- May–Oct
- Spacing
- 10 cm apart (~100/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Carrot fly — Cover with fine insect-proof mesh/fleece; avoid thinning in still air; resistant cultivars.
Good companions: onion
Beetroot
Beta vulgaris · Amaranthaceae
- Sow
- Mar–Jul (direct)
- Plant out
- Mar–May
- Harvest
- Jun–Oct
- Spacing
- 10 cm apart (~100/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Hard frost (disorder) — Insulate with 30 cm straw/bracken for over-winter storage in ground.
Parsnip
Pastinaca sativa · Apiaceae
- Sow
- Apr–May (direct)
- Harvest
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Spacing
- —
- Sun
- full-or-partial
Watch for: Carrot fly — Insect-proof mesh; don't sow in recent carrot beds.
Celery
Apium graveolens · Apiaceae
- Sow
- Mar–Apr (module)
- Plant out
- May–Jun
- Harvest
- Aug–Oct
- Spacing
- 23 cm apart (~18.9/m²)
- Sun
- full-or-partial
Watch for: Celery leaf spot — Cultural control; use clean seed.
Slugs & snails — Biological control.
Celeriac
Apium graveolens var. rapaceum · Apiaceae
- Sow
- Mar (module)
- Plant out
- May–Jun
- Harvest
- Sep–Dec
- Spacing
- 30 cm apart (~11.1/m²)
- Sun
- full-or-partial
Watch for: Celery leaf miner — Cover with fleece/mesh.
Slugs & snails — Biological control.
Cucurbits
Hungry, sprawling, frost-tender. Courgette, squash, pumpkin, cucumber.
Courgette
Cucurbita pepo · Cucurbitaceae
- Sow
- Apr–May (indoors)
- Plant out
- May
- Harvest
- Jul–Sep
- Spacing
- 100 cm apart (~1/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Slugs — Protect direct-sown/young seedlings immediately.
Winter squash
Cucurbita spp. · Cucurbitaceae
- Sow
- Apr–May (indoors)
- Plant out
- May
- Harvest
- Sep–Nov
- Spacing
- 100 cm apart (~1/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Fungus gnats / sciarid fly — Nematode biocontrol at indoor seedling stage.
Good companions: sweetcorn, runner-bean
Pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo/maxima · Cucurbitaceae
- Sow
- Apr–Jun (indoors)
- Plant out
- May–Jun
- Harvest
- Sep–Oct
- Spacing
- 112 cm apart (~0.8/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Powdery mildew — Deep consistent watering; avoid drought stress.
Slugs — Start indoors to bypass early grazing.
Good companions: sweetcorn, runner-bean
Cucumber (outdoor / ridge)
Cucumis sativus · Cucurbitaceae
- Sow
- Apr (indoors)
- Plant out
- Jun
- Harvest
- Jul–Sep
- Spacing
- —
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Glasshouse whitefly — Trap crops or tolerate; worse under cover.
Powdery mildew / cucumber mosaic virus — Keep moisture consistent; remove infected plants.
Flexible / other
Low rotation constraint; useful gap-fillers. Lettuce, spinach, chard, sweetcorn.
Lettuce
Lactuca sativa · Asteraceae
- Sow
- Feb–Sep (direct)
- Plant out
- Mar–Jun
- Harvest
- May–Oct
- Spacing
- 25 cm apart (~16/m²)
- Sun
- full-or-partial
Watch for: Slugs & snails — Nematode biocontrol or physical barrier.
Aphids — Encourage predators (see alyssum companion) or use trap crops.
Good companions: Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Spinach
Spinacia oleracea · Amaranthaceae
- Sow
- Mar, Apr, May, Sep (direct)
- Harvest
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Spacing
- 21 cm apart (~22/m²)
- Sun
- full-or-partial
Watch for: Downy mildew — Avoid overcrowding; keep airflow.
Pigeons — Netting over winter/spring foliage.
Swiss chard
Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla · Amaranthaceae
- Sow
- Mar–Jul (direct)
- Plant out
- Apr–Jul
- Harvest
- Jun–Oct
- Spacing
- 21 cm apart (~22/m²)
- Sun
- full-or-partial
Watch for: Grey mould — Space well for airflow in humid weather.
Birds — Taut netting over emerging seedlings.
Sweetcorn
Zea mays · Poaceae
- Sow
- Apr–Jun (indoors)
- Plant out
- May–Jun
- Harvest
- Aug–Oct
- Spacing
- 45 cm apart (~4.9/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun
Watch for: Smut — Cut out and destroy grey galls in hot weather.
Badgers / mice / birds — Physical cage over ripening cobs.
Good companions: runner-bean, pumpkin
Perennials
Pinned, out of rotation. Strawberry, rhubarb, asparagus.
Strawberry
Fragaria x ananassa · Rosaceae
- Sow
- Aug–Sep (runners)
- Plant out
- Mar–May
- Harvest
- Jun–Jul
- Spacing
- 48 cm apart (~4.4/m²)
- Sun
- Full sun · perennial
Watch for: Grey mould — Straw mulch under fruit; water at the base only.
Red spider mite / aphids — Biological controls.
Good companions: garlic
Rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum · Polygonaceae
- Sow
- Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov (crowns)
- Plant out
- Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
- Harvest
- Apr–Jul
- Spacing
- 110 cm apart (~0.83/m²)
- Sun
- full-or-partial · perennial
Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis · Asparagaceae
- Sow
- — (crowns)
- Plant out
- Mar–Apr
- Harvest
- Apr–May
- Spacing
- —
- Sun
- Full sun · perennial
Watch for: Asparagus beetle — Hand-pick adults/larvae daily through May.
Turn this into a bed plan with the free Garden Layout Planner, or see month-by-month timing in the UK Vegetable Planting Calendar. For step-by-step growing guides, browse the A–Z of vegetable guides.