A quick reference monthly guide to activities on the allotment, what to sow, plant and harvest and jobs to be done.
January in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
Clean pots and seed trays.
Digging and spreading compost and manure.
Prune fruit bushes and trees. Shred and compost healthy, burn or green bin diseased.
Repair fencing, check wires and ties.
Continue to force chicory, protect cauliflower and parsley, start forcing rhubarb.
Sowing and Planting
Indoors: sow – Broad beans, Cauliflower, Leeks, Onions, Peas, Radish, Salad leaves, Spinach. Sow salads and radishes. Most will need some heat to get them going, and protection from frost.
Outdoors: Plant trees and bare-root shrubs and fruits.
Plant rhubarb and split overgrown rhubarb and replant.
Plant Garlic if ground not frozen. Similar broad beans else set beans in pots undercover.
Harvest
Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Celeriac, Chicory, Endive, Jerusalem artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Parsnips, Sprouting broccoli, Swede, Winter radishes.
Find out more about January events, activities food and nature
February Jobs in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
Digging and spreading compost and manure. Turn compost heap.
Dig runner bean trench.
Prune fruit bushes and trees. Shred and compost healthy, burn or green bin diseased. Cut raspberry down autumn canes and tie in new canes, trim summer canes.
Repair fencing, check wires and ties.
Continue to force chicory, protect cauliflower and parsley, start forcing rhubarb.
Start chitting potatoes.
Sowing and Planting
Indoors: Sow – Broad beans, Brussels sprouts, Globe artichokes, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Radishes, Rhubarb, Salad leaves, Spinach, Sprouting broccoli, Tomatoes.
Outdoors: Broad beans, Fruit trees and bushes, Garlic, Grape vines, Jerusalem artichokes, Peas, Rhubarb sets, Shallot sets, Turnips.
Harvest
Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Celeriac, Chicory, Endive, Jerusalem artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Parsnips, Salad leaves, Sprouting broccoli, Swede.
Find out more about February events, activities food and nature
February events, activities food and nature
March Jobs in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
Rake seedbed ready for sowing
Dig runner bean and celery trench.
Feed overwintering crops and apply fertilisers ready for new crops.
Feed and mulch fruit bushes and trees. Plant Apple and pear trees, Blackberries, Cranberries, Gooseberries and currants, Grape vines, Raspberries, Strawberries.
Cease forcing rhubarb.
Divide herbs and other perennials.
Sowing and Planting
Indoors: Sow or plant -Aubergines, Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Celeriac, Celery, Chillies and peppers, Cucumbers, Fennel, Globe artichokes, Kohl rabi, Lettuces, Sprouting broccoli, Sweet potatoes, Tomatoes.
Outdoors under cover: sow – Beetroot, Carrots, Cucumbers, Lettuces, Oriental leaves, Radishes, Rocket, Salad leaves, Turnips.
Outdoors: Sow – Broad beans, Cabbages, Calabrese, Leeks, Lettuces, Onions, Parsnips, Peas, Spinach, Spring onions, Sprouting broccoli.
Plant: Asparagus, Broad beans, Cauliflower, Garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, Onion sets, Peas, Potatoes, Rhubarb, Shallots, Spinach.
Harvest
Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Celeriac, Chicory, Endive, Kale, Leeks, Lettuces, Parsnips, Rhubarb, Spring onions, Sprouting broccoli, Swiss chard.
Find out more about March events, activities food and nature
April Jobs in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
It’s all about sowing and planting. There may be some watering if it is dry.
Sowing and Planting
Indoors: Sow -Aubergines, Bell peppers, Cabbages (all except spring), Cauliflower (summer and autumn), Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes, Cucumbers, Endive, Fennel, French beans, Kale, Kohl rabi, Marrows, Pumpkins and winter squash, Runner beans, Sprouting broccoli, Sweetcorn, Sweet potatoes, Tomatoes.
Outdoors under cover: sow – Outdoors under cover: sow – Beetroot, Lettuces, Oriental leaves, Rocket, Salad leaves, Turnips.
Outdoors: Sow – Broad beans, Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Calabrese, Cauliflower, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuces, Onions, Oriental leaves, Parsnips, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, Spring onions, Spinach beet, Sprouting broccoli, Swiss chard, Turnips.
Plant: Asparagus, Broad beans, Globe artichokes, Endive, Florence fennel, French beans, Jerusalem artichokes, Kale, Kohl rabi, Lettuces, Marrows, Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkins and winter squashes, Radishes, Runner beans, Sprouting broccoli, Sweetcorn, Sweet potatoes, Tomatoes.
Harvest
Asparagus, Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Kale, Leeks, Lettuces, Oriental leaves, Rhubarb, Rocket, Spinach, Spring onions, Sprouting broccoli, Swiss chard.
Find out more about April events, activities food and nature
May Jobs in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
Thinning seedlings and watering seedlings. Pot on and prick out plants.
Hardening off plants and seedlings.
Mulch and feed fruit bushes. Trim off excessive growth, remove unwanted raspberry canes.
Put in supports for peas and runner beans.
Tie in and support Broad beans.
Sowing and Planting
Indoors: Sow -Aubergines, Bell peppers, Cabbages (all except spring), Cauliflower (summer and autumn), Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes, Cucumbers, Endive, Fennel, French beans, Kale, Kohl rabi, Marrows, Pumpkins and winter squash, Runner beans, Sprouting broccoli, Sweetcorn, Sweet potatoes, Tomatoes.
Outdoors under cover: sow – Beetroot, Lettuces, Oriental leaves, Rocket, Salad leaves, Turnips.
Outdoors: Sow – Broad beans, Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Calabrese, Cauliflower, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuces, Onions, Oriental leaves, Parsnips, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, Spring onions, Spinach beet, Sprouting broccoli, Swiss chard, Turnips.
Plant: Asparagus, Broad beans, Globe artichokes, Endive, Florence fennel, French beans, Jerusalem artichokes, Kale, Kohl rabi, Lettuces, Marrows, Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkins and winter squashes, Radishes, Runner beans, Sprouting broccoli, Sweetcorn, Sweet potatoes, Tomatoes.
Harvest
Asparagus, Broad Beans, Cabbages (Spring), Cauliflower (Spring), Globe artichokes, Lettuces, Oriental leaves, Peas, Radishes, Rhubarb, Rocket, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring onions, Turnips.
Find out more about May events, activities food and nature
June Jobs in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
Weeding and Mulching. As much as your plants will be growing, the weeds will be twice as fast.
Watering when required.
Earth up potatoes. Feed tomatoes.
Trim and tidy fruit trees and plants as required.
Remove pea and Broad beans after harvesting.
Sowing and Planting
Outdoors: Sow – Broad beans, Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Courgettes and summer Squashes, Calabrese, Cauliflower, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuces, Onions, Oriental leaves, Marrows Parsnips, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, Spring onions, Spinach beet, Sprouting broccoli, Swiss chard, Turnips.
Plant: Asparagus, Broad beans, Globe artichokes, Endive, Florence fennel, French beans, Jerusalem artichokes, Kale, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuces, Marrows, Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkins and winter squashes, Radishes, Runner beans, Sprouting broccoli, Sweetcorn, Sweet potatoes, Tomatoes.
Harvest
Asparagus, Aubergines, Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage (Spring), Carrots, Cauliflowers, Cherries, Fennel, Garlic, Globe artichokes, Gooseberries, Kohl rabi, Lettuces, Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Rhubarb, Salad leaves, Spring onions, Spinach, Strawberries, Swiss chard, Turnips.
Find out more about June events, activities food and nature
July Jobs in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
Weeding and Mulching. As much as your plants will be growing, the weeds will be twice as fast.
Watering when required, helps fill out the produce and prevents bolting.
Earth up potatoes and brassicas.
Feed tomatoes and peppers.
Take cuttings of herbs.
Net fruit against birds, finer net for brassicas against butterflies.
Trim and tidy fruit trees and plants as required.
Remove Pea and Broad beans after harvesting.
Dry out and ripen Onions, Shallots and garlic.
Sowing and Planting
Outdoors: Sow – BrBeetroot, Cabbages (spring), Calabrese, Carrots, Chicory, Endive, Fennel, French beans, Kale, Kohl rabi, Lettuces, Oriental leaves, Peas, Radishes (winter), Rocket, Spring onions, Sprouting broccoli, Swiss chard, Turnips.
Plant: Chicory, Endive, Lettuces, Radishes, Rocket, Salad leaves, Spring onions.
Harvest
Aubergines, Apricots, Beetroot, Blackberries, Blackcurrants, Blueberries, Broad beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Celery, Cherries, Chicory, Chillies and peppers, Courgettes, Cucumbers, Fennel, French beans, Garlic, Globe artichokes, Gooseberries, Kohl rabi, Lettuces, Marrows, Melons, Nectarines, Onions Peas, Peaches, Peaches, Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Rhubarb, Rocket, Runner beans, Shallots, Spring onions, Spinach, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Turnips, Whitecurrants.
Find out more about July events, activities food and nature
August Jobs in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
Weeding and Water.
Feed tomatoes and peppers. Pinch out tips of tomatoes.
Dry out and ripen Onions, Shallots and garlic.
Continue to earth up potatoes, celery and brassicas.
Tie in blackberries.
Sowing and Planting
Outdoors: Sow – Cabbages (spring), Calabrese, Carrots, Chicory, Kohl rabi, Lettuces, Oriental leaves, Radishes (winter), Rocket, Swiss chard, Turnips.
Plant: Cauliflower, Kale, Sprouting broccoli, Strawberries.
Harvest
Aubergines, Apricots, Beetroot, Blackberries, Blackcurrants, Blueberries, Broad beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Celery, Cherries, Chicory, Chillies and peppers, Courgettes, Cucumbers, Fennel, French beans, Garlic, Globe artichokes, Gooseberries, Kohl rabi, Lettuces, Marrows, Melons, Nectarines, Onions Peas, Peaches, Peaches, Peppers and Chillis, Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Rhubarb, Rocket, Runner beans, Shallots, Spring onions, Spinach, Strawberries, Squash, Sweetcorn, Tomatoes, Turnips, Whitecurrants.
Find out more about August events, activities food and nature
September Jobs in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
Water plants that are still growing and young.
Ripen Squashes.
Sow green manures.
Turn Compost heap.
Cut down asparagus.
Harvest maincrop potatoes.
Sowing and Planting
Indoors and outdoors: Sow -Lettuces, Radishes, Rocket, Salad leaves, Spinach, Spring onions.
Plant: Cabbages (spring), Cranberries, Onion sets, Strawberries.
Harvest
Apples, Apricots, Aubergines, Beetroot, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Chillies and peppers, Courgettes, Cranberries, Cucumbers, Endives, Fennel, Figs, French beans, Globe artichokes, Grapes, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuces, Marrows, Melons, Onions, Oriental leaves, Pears, Peas Plums, Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Rocket, Runner beans, Spinach, Spring onions, Strawberries, Summer squash, Swede, Sweetcorn, Sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Winter radishes, Winter squash.
Find out more about September events, activities food and nature
October Jobs in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
Earth up leeks and Celery. Earth up Brussel sprouts and large brassicas. Mulch celeriac and parsnips.
Finish ripening and curing Squashes.
Dig in green manures.
Turn Compost heap.
Clear old vegetation and compost. Cut down old blackberries. Remove plant supports and store.
Harvest remaining apples and pears.
Lift carrots and beetroots and remaining potatoes for storage or clamp. Consider same for Swedes and Turnips.
Cloche late crops to protect from the worst weather.
Sowing and Planting
Outdoors: Sow – Broad Beans, Peas.
Indoors: Sow – Cauliflower.
Plant: Cabbages (spring), Garlic, Onion sets, Rhubarb, Fruit trees and bushes.
Harvest
Apples, Apricots, Aubergines, Beetroot, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Chillies and peppers, Cranberries, Cucumbers, Endives, Fennel, Figs, French beans, Globe artichokes, Grapes, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuces, Marrows, Onions, Oriental leaves, Pears, Peas, Plums, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radishes, Raspberries, Rocket, Runner beans, Spinach, Spring onions, Strawberries, Summer squash, Swede, Sweetcorn, Sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Winter radishes, Winter squash.
Find out more about October events, activities food and nature
November Jobs in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
Clear old vegetation and compost. Cut down old blackberries. Remove plant supports and store.
Digging. Spreading compost and manure. Lime soil where needed.
Net brassicas (stop pigeons).
Planting trees, shrubs and bushes.
Remove rotten fruit and destroy (burn). Start winter pruning of fruits and trees. Shred and compost healthy, burn any diseased items.
Cloche late crops.
General repairs to fencing and structures.
Sowing and Planting
outdoors: Sow – Broad Beans.
Plant: Garlic, Fruit trees and bushes.
Harvest
Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Cranberries, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Endive, French beans, Jerusalem artichokes, Kale, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Lettuces, Oriental leaves, Parsnips, Raspberries, Spinach, Sprouting broccoli, Swede, Swiss chard, Turnips, Winter radishes.
Find out more about November events, activities food and nature
December Jobs in the vegetable garden or allotment
General Jobs
Clear old vegetation and compost. Cut down old blackberries. Remove plant supports and store.
Digging. Spreading compost and manure. Lime soil where needed.
Net brassicas (stop pigeons).
Remove rotten fruit and destroy (burn). Start winter pruning of fruits and trees. Shred and compost healthy, burn any diseased items.
Clean seed trays, pots and tools.
General repairs to fencing and structures.
Sowing and Planting
outdoors: Sow – Broad Beans.
Plant: Garlic, Fruit trees and bushes.
Harvest
Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Celeriac, Celery, Endive, Jerusalem artichokes, Kale, Kohl rabi, Leeks, Oriental leaves, Parsnips, Swede, Swiss chard, Turnips, Winter radishes.
Find out more about December events, activities food and nature
Further reading
Also, check out the blogs and articles on Food and Seasonal Recipies