Garden Guide

Garden Guide for Edinburgh, Scotland & Northern UK

Edinburgh, located in Hardiness Zone 9a, benefits from a temperate maritime climate, softened by its proximity to the coast. This results in relatively mild winters and cool summers, making it possible to grow a wide variety of plants. Soils in the region vary but are often clayey and can benefit from improvement with organic matter to optimize drainage and nutrient supply.

In Edinburgh (Hardiness Zone 9a), you can start sowing seeds outdoors from mid-February, after the last frost. However, cold-sensitive plants like tomatoes and courgettes (zucchini) should only be planted out after the 'Ice Saints' (mid-May). Hardy crops such as lettuce and carrots can be planted early in spring, while chard and kohlrabi also do well in the Scottish climate. The first frost typically occurs in early December.

Zone 9a Last frost: Mid February First frost: Early December Maritime

Also applies to: Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Stirling, Perth

Plan your Edinburgh garden in the Fryd app

Planting Calendar

When to start indoors, sow outdoors, and harvest in Edinburgh.

Light Water Nutrients

Start indoors Sowing Harvest

Planting calendar for Edinburgh, Zone 9a
Crop	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Tomato (Stake tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Arugula / Rocket ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Broccoli ●●● ●●● ●●●
Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●●
Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●● ●●●
Pea ●●● ●●● ●○○
Aubergine / Eggplant ●●● ●●● ●●●
Chard ●●○ ●●● ●●○
Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●● ●●●
Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Cauliflower ●●○ ●●● ●●●
Radishes ●●○ ●●○ ●○○
Spinach (Summer) ●○○ ●●● ●●○

Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Tomato (Stake tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Arugula / Rocket ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Broccoli ●●● ●●● ●●●

Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●●

Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●● ●●●

Pea ●●● ●●● ●○○

Aubergine / Eggplant ●●● ●●● ●●●

Chard ●●○ ●●● ●●○

Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●● ●●●

Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Cauliflower ●●○ ●●● ●●●

Radishes ●●○ ●●○ ●○○

Spinach (Summer) ●○○ ●●● ●●○

Planting Calendar Edinburgh

Carrots: Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest Jul - Nov (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Lettuce (Lettuce): Start indoors Feb - Aug, Sowing Mar - Sep, Harvest Mar - Nov (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Strawberry: Start indoors Jan - May, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest Apr - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Tomato (Stake tomato): Start indoors Feb - May, Sowing Apr - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Tomato (Bush tomato): Start indoors Jan - Mar, Sowing Apr - Jun, Harvest Jun - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Bean (Dwarf bean): Sowing Apr - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Basil: Start indoors Feb - Jul, Sowing Apr - Jul, Harvest Apr - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Arugula / Rocket: Start indoors Jan - Oct, Sowing Feb - Nov, Harvest Apr - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Broccoli: Start indoors Feb - Jul, Sowing Mar - Sep, Harvest May (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage: Start indoors Jan - Jun, Sowing Feb - Jul, Harvest Apr - Oct (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Courgette / Zucchini: Start indoors Mar - Jun, Sowing Apr - Aug, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Cucumber / Gherkin: Start indoors Feb - May, Sowing Apr - Jun, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Pea: Sowing Feb - Jun, Harvest May - Sep (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: low)
Aubergine / Eggplant: Start indoors Jan - May, Sowing Apr - Jul, Harvest Jun - Sep (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Chard: Start indoors Mar - Aug, Sowing Mar - Aug, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: medium, Water: high, Nutrients: medium)
Pepper / Paprika: Start indoors Jan - Apr, Sowing Apr - Jun, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Onion: Start indoors Jan - Mar, Sowing Feb - Apr, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Cauliflower: Start indoors Jan - Jul, Sowing Mar - Sep, Harvest May - Oct (Light: medium, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Radishes: Sowing Feb - Oct, Harvest Apr - Nov (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Spinach (Summer): Sowing Feb - Jun, Harvest Mar - Jul (Light: low, Water: high, Nutrients: medium)

Based on Fryd planting data for Zone 9a, 2026.

Companion Planting for Edinburgh

Plants that thrive together in Scotland & Northern UK.

Lettuce (Lettuce) + Carrots

Chard + Carrots

Lettuce (Lettuce) + Spinach (Summer)

Spinach (Summer) + Strawberry

Radishes + Strawberry

Plan companions visually

Drag and drop crops in the Fryd bed planner to see companion matches.

Try Fryd →

Growing Tips for Edinburgh

Consistent Moisture is Key

Many plants, like kohlrabi, cucumbers, and broccoli, need a constant water supply for optimal growth. Make sure to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, to avoid stress and stunted development. Regular watering is especially crucial during drier spells.

Soil Prep for a Bountiful Harvest

Carrots and chard prefer deep, loose, and humus-rich soil. Good soil preparation with compost or organic fertiliser improves structure and nutrient supply, leading to stronger plants and better yields. This is especially important for root vegetables.

Protecting Heat-Loving Crops

Plants like courgettes (zucchini), aubergines (eggplants), tomatoes, and peppers are sensitive to cold and need a warm, sunny spot. In Edinburgh, it's wise to only plant these out after the last frosts and perhaps protect them from cool nights with a cold frame or fleece. Starting them indoors is often a good idea here.

Lettuces: Flexible Gap Fillers

Lettuces like garden lettuce or endives are excellent as early, inter-, or succession crops, filling gaps in your beds. By sowing in stages, you can harvest fresh lettuce over a long period. They need sufficient moisture and have moderate nutrient requirements.

Common Pests & Diseases

•

Slugs

Look out for slime trails and feeding damage on young plants, especially lettuce and strawberries. Regularly pick off slugs or use iron phosphate-based slug pellets, which are safe for pets and hedgehogs. A slug fence can protect sensitive beds.

•

Aphids

Small green or black insects that gather on shoot tips and undersides of leaves, weakening plants. Spray affected plants with a soapy water solution or a neem oil product. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybirds (ladybugs) and lacewings in your garden.

•

Cabbage Root Fly

Cabbage root fly larvae feed on the roots of brassicas like kohlrabi and broccoli, leading to wilting. Protect your plants with fine-mesh insect netting to prevent egg-laying. Companion planting with celery can also help.

•

Powdery Mildew

A white, powdery coating on leaves, especially on courgettes (zucchini) and cucumbers, which hinders photosynthesis. Remove affected leaves immediately and do not put them on the compost. Spraying with a milk-water mixture (1:9) can act as a preventative and combat the fungus.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Edinburgh?

Tomatoes are very sensitive to cold and should only be planted outdoors in Edinburgh after the 'Ice Saints', which is around mid-May. Start them indoors on a windowsill from March and ensure they have a sunny, sheltered spot.

What hardiness zone is Edinburgh in?

Edinburgh is in Hardiness Zone 9a. This means winters are relatively mild, but you should still be cautious with cold-sensitive plants.

Which vegetables grow best in Edinburgh?

In Edinburgh, many cold-tolerant and moisture-loving crops thrive, including lettuces, chard, carrots, kohlrabi, and peas. Strawberries are also a good choice. Heat-loving plants like courgettes (zucchini) or tomatoes need a sheltered, sunny spot.

When is the last frost in Edinburgh?

The last frost in Edinburgh is typically expected around mid-February. However, for sensitive plants, you should still keep an eye on the weather forecast and take protective measures if needed.