South East
What to sow in Oxford
Oxford's inland Thames Valley position gives it warm summers and cold winters. Late frosts can catch out eager gardeners, but the long summer days and fertile valley soil reward patience.
Last frost date20 AprilEstimated average
First autumn frost16 OctoberEstimated average
Growing season179 daysFrost-free period
What to sow in Oxford right now
Based on a last frost date of 20 April, these are the crops you can get going in Oxford this month.
Broad beansPinch out the growing tips once the first pods form to discourage blackfly. They'll also ripen faster.
Plant out
PeasSow every 3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Pick regularly to keep them producing — leave one pod on and the whole plant slows down.
Plant out
LettuceSow a short row every 2 weeks and you'll never buy a supermarket bag again. Pick outer leaves to keep it going.
Direct sowPlant out
RadishesThe quickest crop you can grow — seed to plate in 4 weeks. Sow between slower crops to use the space while you wait.
Direct sow
CarrotsSow thinly to avoid thinning — the smell of crushed leaves is a dinner bell for carrot fly. Cover with fleece to be safe.
Direct sow
BeetrootEach seed cluster produces several seedlings — thin to the strongest. Don't chuck the leaves, they're delicious wilted with butter.
Sow indoorsDirect sowPlant out
Onion setsPush sets into the soil with the tip just showing. Easiest way to grow onions — skip seed unless you enjoy waiting.
Direct sow
Potatoes (maincrop)Plant a few weeks after earlies. Earth up as haulms grow. Harvest when foliage dies back — leave in the ground for a week first to toughen the skins.
Direct sow
Potatoes (early)Chit (sprout) seed potatoes on a windowsill before planting. Earth up as they grow — if you see green skin, it's toxic.
Direct sow
KaleGets sweeter after a frost. One of the hardiest crops — can harvest all winter.
Direct sowPlant out
ParsnipsVery slow to germinate (2-4 weeks). Use fresh seed every year. Sow radishes alongside to mark the row.
Direct sow
Spring onionsSow a pinch every few weeks and you'll have spring onions all season. Dead easy — one of the best crops for beginners.
Direct sow
Swiss chardBeautiful and productive. Pick outer leaves and it keeps going for months. Rainbow chard looks stunning.
Sow indoorsDirect sowPlant out
TurnipsHarvest when golf-ball sized for the sweetest flavour. Leave them too long and they go woody. Quick-growing gap filler.
Direct sow
BroccoliCut the main head first and you'll get side shoots for weeks. Purple sprouting is the real star — worth the long wait.
Direct sowPlant out
CabbageDifferent varieties for each season — spring, summer, autumn, and winter types. Red cabbage is less bothered by caterpillars.
Plant out
CauliflowerFold outer leaves over the curd to keep it white. Cauliflower leaves are delicious too — don't throw them away.
Plant out
Brussels sproutsGrow through summer, harvest from autumn through winter. Flavour improves after frost. Start early — they're slow.
Plant out
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.
Direct sow
SweetcornPlant in a block, not a row — they're wind-pollinated and need neighbours. Each plant gives you 1-2 cobs, so don't be stingy with numbers.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
CourgettesYou only need 2-3 plants. Seriously. Pick them small (15cm) or they turn into marrows overnight.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
French beansDwarf varieties need no support. Pick every few days — once they start producing, they don't stop (unless you let pods go to seed).
Sow indoorsDirect sow
SquashBig hungry plants — give them space and feed them well. Leave to cure in the sun before storing and they'll keep for months.
Sow indoors
PumpkinsLimit each plant to 2-3 fruits for bigger pumpkins. Sit them on a tile or slate to stop rot from underneath.
Sow indoors
CorianderBolts at the slightest excuse. Sow every 3-4 weeks, pick frequently, and choose slow-bolt varieties. It's a race you can win if you stay on top of it.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
RocketDead easy and fast. Gets spicier in hot weather — which is either a feature or a bug depending on your taste. Pick leaves small for salads.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
Pak choiSow early spring or after midsummer — it'll bolt faster than you can blink in the heat. Worth it though. Fast-growing and very rewarding.
Sow indoorsDirect sowPlant out
FennelSow after midsummer for best bulbs — earlier sowings often bolt. Don't transplant bare-root, it hates root disturbance. Use modules.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
DillSow direct — dill absolutely hates being transplanted. Short rows every few weeks for continuous supply. Gets to 90cm, so give it a sheltered spot.
Direct sow
CucumbersOutdoor varieties are tougher and easier than greenhouse ones. Keep picking and they keep producing — ignore them and they swell to marrow size.
Sow indoors
Runner beansBuild a strong frame — they get seriously heavy. Pick every 2-3 days or they go stringy and the plant stops producing.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
StrawberriesPlant runners in spring or late summer and you will be picking fruit the following June. Net them or the birds will get there first. Replace plants every three years for the best yields.
Plant out
Oxford sowing calendar
Month-by-month sowing times for Oxford, based on a last frost date of 20 April.
Broad beansI/D/PPeasI/D/PLettuceI/DSpinachDRadishesDCarrotsDBeetrootIOnion setsDPotatoes (early)DKaleI/DParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardITurnipsDBroccoliI/DCabbageICauliflowerIBrussels sproutsIParsleyI/DSweetcornICourgettesIFrench beansISquashIPumpkinsICorianderIRocketIPak choiIFennelICeleryITomatoesIPeppersIChilliesICucumbersIRunner beansIAubergineIBasilIStrawberriesPRaspberriesPBlackberriesPGooseberriesPBlackcurrantsPRedcurrantsPRhubarbP
AprilNow
Broad beansPPeasPLettuceD/PRadishesDCarrotsDBeetrootI/D/POnion setsDPotatoes (maincrop)DPotatoes (early)DKaleD/PParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardI/D/PTurnipsDBroccoliD/PCabbagePCauliflowerPBrussels sproutsPParsleyDSweetcornI/DCourgettesI/DFrench beansI/DSquashIPumpkinsICorianderI/DRocketI/DPak choiI/D/PFennelI/DDillDCucumbersIRunner beansI/DStrawberriesP
No sowing activity this month.
No sowing activity this month.
No sowing activity this month.
No sowing activity this month.
I = Sow indoorsD = Direct sowP = Plant out
Get more precise dates for Oxford
This guide uses the frost date for Oxford 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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