Scotland
What to sow in Perth
Perth sits in the sheltered Tay Valley, one of Scotland's better spots for growing. The river valley moderates temperatures, and the area has a long tradition of soft fruit farming — raspberries and strawberries thrive here. Hardy crops do well; the long summer days help.
Last frost date15 MayEstimated average
First autumn frost25 SeptemberEstimated average
Growing season133 daysFrost-free period
What to sow in Perth right now
Based on a last frost date of 15 May, these are the crops you can get going in Perth this month.
Broad beansPinch out the growing tips once the first pods form to discourage blackfly. They'll also ripen faster.
Direct sowPlant 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.
Sow indoorsDirect sowPlant out
LettuceSow a short row every 2 weeks and you'll never buy a supermarket bag again. Pick outer leaves to keep it going.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
SpinachBolts the moment it gets hot. Best in spring and autumn. Pick little and often — a whole plant cooks down to about two mouthfuls.
Direct sow
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 indoors
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 (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.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
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 indoors
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.
Sow indoorsDirect sow
CabbageDifferent varieties for each season — spring, summer, autumn, and winter types. Red cabbage is less bothered by caterpillars.
Sow indoors
CauliflowerFold outer leaves over the curd to keep it white. Cauliflower leaves are delicious too — don't throw them away.
Sow indoors
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.
Sow indoorsDirect 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 indoors
CourgettesYou only need 2-3 plants. Seriously. Pick them small (15cm) or they turn into marrows overnight.
Sow indoors
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 indoors
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 indoors
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 indoors
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 indoors
FennelSow after midsummer for best bulbs — earlier sowings often bolt. Don't transplant bare-root, it hates root disturbance. Use modules.
Sow indoors
TomatoesPinch out side shoots on cordon types. Feed weekly with tomato feed once the first truss sets. Don't overwater — flavour comes from a bit of stress.
Sow indoors
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 indoors
BasilPinch out flower buds to keep leaves coming. Harvest from the top to encourage bushy growth. Loves heat — don't even think about putting it outside before June.
Sow indoors
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
RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes in winter for the cheapest option. Summer varieties fruit on last year's canes, autumn varieties on this year's — the pruning is completely different. Once established, a row of raspberries will produce for 10+ years.
Plant out
BlackberriesCultivated blackberries produce bigger, sweeter fruit than wild ones and are thornless. Train along wires or a fence. They fruit on last year's growth, so tie in new canes as they grow and cut out the fruited ones after harvest.
Plant out
GooseberriesOne of the easiest fruit bushes for UK allotments. Plant a bare-root bush in winter, prune to an open goblet shape, and it will produce kilos of fruit every summer for 20+ years. Pick them young for cooking, or leave to ripen fully for eating fresh.
Plant out
BlackcurrantsBlackcurrants are packed with vitamin C and make the best jam and cordial. Plant deep — 5cm below the soil line — to encourage strong shoots from the base. Prune a third of the oldest wood out each winter. One bush produces 4-5kg of fruit.
Plant out
RedcurrantsBeautiful jewel-like berries that hang in trusses. They tolerate more shade than most fruit, so they are perfect for a north-facing fence. Prune to a permanent framework like a gooseberry, not like a blackcurrant.
Plant out
RhubarbPlant a crown in winter, do not harvest the first year, and it will reward you with decades of stalks. Pull (do not cut) stalks from April to June, then leave it alone to build strength for next year. Force a clump in January for the most tender, pink stems.
Plant out
Perth sowing calendar
Month-by-month sowing times for Perth, based on a last frost date of 15 May.
No sowing activity this month.
AprilNow
Broad beansD/PPeasI/D/PLettuceI/DSpinachDRadishesDCarrotsDBeetrootIOnion setsDPotatoes (early)DKaleI/DParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardITurnipsDBroccoliI/DCabbageICauliflowerIParsleyI/DSweetcornICourgettesIFrench beansISquashIPumpkinsICorianderIRocketIPak choiIFennelITomatoesICucumbersIRunner beansIBasilIStrawberriesPRaspberriesPBlackberriesPGooseberriesPBlackcurrantsPRedcurrantsPRhubarbP
Broad beansPPeasPLettuceD/PRadishesDCarrotsDBeetrootI/D/POnion setsDPotatoes (maincrop)DPotatoes (early)DKaleD/PParsnipsDSpring onionsDSwiss chardI/D/PTurnipsDLeeksPBroccoliD/PCabbagePCauliflowerPBrussels sproutsPParsleyDSweetcornI/D/PCourgettesI/D/PFrench beansI/D/PSquashI/PPumpkinsI/PCorianderI/DRocketI/DPak choiI/D/PFennelI/D/PCeleryPDillDTomatoesPCucumbersIRunner beansI/D/PBasilD/PStrawberriesP
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
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