Garden Guide

Garden Guide for London, Southeast England

London, nestled in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, boasts a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool, often damp summers. Soils across the region vary widely, from water-retentive loamy soils to compacted urban plots. Thorough soil preparation, enriched with plenty of compost, is key for successful gardening here.

In London (USDA Hardiness Zone 9b), you can get a head start on sowing thanks to the last frost typically occurring in early February. However, tender plants like tomatoes and cucumbers should only be planted outdoors after mid-May. Hardy crops such as lettuce, carrots, and kohlrabi can be direct-sown from February/March.

Zone 9b Last frost: Early February First frost: Early December Temperate

Also applies to: Brighton, Oxford, Cambridge, Reading, Canterbury

Plan your London garden in the Fryd app

Planting Calendar

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

Light Water Nutrients

Start indoors Sowing Harvest

Planting calendar for London, Zone 9b
Crop	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
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 ●●○ ●●○ ●○○
Chili ●●● ●●● ●●●
Spinach (Summer) ●○○ ●●● ●●○

Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

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 ●●○ ●●○ ●○○

Chili ●●● ●●● ●●●

Spinach (Summer) ●○○ ●●● ●●○

Planting Calendar London

Carrots: Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest Jul - Nov (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Lettuce (Lettuce): Start indoors Jan - Aug, Sowing Feb - Sep, Harvest Mar - Nov (Light: medium, 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 Mar - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Broccoli: Start indoors Jan - Jul, Sowing Mar - Sep, Harvest May (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage: Start indoors Jan - Jun, Sowing Jan - 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 Jan - Jun, Harvest Apr - Sep (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: low)
Aubergine / Eggplant: Start indoors Jan - May, Sowing Apr - Jul, Harvest May - 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 Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Onion: Start indoors Jan - Mar, Sowing Jan - Apr, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Cauliflower: Start indoors Jan - Jul, Sowing Mar - Sep, Harvest Apr - Oct (Light: medium, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Radishes: Sowing Feb - Oct, Harvest Apr - Nov (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Chili: Start indoors Jan - Mar, Sowing Apr - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Spinach (Summer): Sowing Feb - Jun, Harvest Mar - Jul (Light: low, Water: high, Nutrients: medium)

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

Companion Planting for London

Plants that thrive together in Southeast England.

Lettuce (Lettuce) + Carrots

Chard + Carrots

Lettuce (Lettuce) + Spinach (Summer)

Spinach (Summer) + Bean (Dwarf bean)

Chard + Bean (Dwarf bean)

Plan companions visually

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

Try Fryd →

Growing Tips for London

Consistent Moisture

Many plants, especially Swiss chard, broccoli, and cucumbers, need a very consistent water supply. Make sure the soil stays consistently moist to prevent stress and growth issues. Drought can lead to stunted growth, poor development, or a bitter taste.

Soil Prep is Everything

For a bountiful harvest, humus-rich, nutrient-dense, and loose soil is essential. Before sowing or planting, work in plenty of compost, especially for crops like carrots and broccoli. This encourages strong root growth and excellent nutrient uptake.

Protect Tender Crops

Warm-weather crops like courgettes, aubergines, and tomatoes are very sensitive to cold and cannot tolerate frost. Only plant them outdoors after the 'Ice Saints' (mid-May) to avoid frost damage and ensure optimal growth. Starting them indoors beforehand is highly recommended.

Cleverly Use Gap Fillers

Lettuces and kohlrabi are excellent as catch crops, intercrops, or succession crops due to their short growing season. With clever planning, you can harvest all year round and make the most of your garden space. This keeps your beds consistently productive.

Common Pests & Diseases

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Slugs

Slugs are often a nuisance in damp London gardens, especially for young lettuces and Swiss chard. Collect them regularly, especially in the evenings or after rain, or use organic slug pellets to protect your plants. A barrier of sawdust or crushed eggshells can also be helpful.

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Aphids

Aphids can infest many plants, especially basil and beans, sucking out their sap. For a light infestation, spray plants with a soapy water solution or encourage natural predators like ladybirds. Regular checks help to spot a heavy infestation early.

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Carrot Fly

The carrot fly can damage carrots, with its larvae tunneling into the roots, making the harvest inedible. Protect your carrots with fine-mesh insect netting, installed immediately after sowing and left in place until harvest. Companion planting with onions can also act as a deterrent.

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Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew can often appear on cucumbers and courgettes, recognisable by white, powdery spots on the leaves. Ensure good air circulation between plants and remove affected leaves immediately to prevent spread. Spraying with a milk-and-water mixture can also help.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in London?

Tomatoes love warmth and are very sensitive to cold, so in London, you should only plant them outdoors after the 'Ice Saints', which is typically from mid-May onwards. Start them indoors on a windowsill from March to get strong seedlings. A sunny, sheltered spot is ideal.

What hardiness zone is London?

London is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. This means you can expect relatively mild winters, with temperatures rarely dropping below -3.9 °C (25 °F). This allows for a longer gardening season and the cultivation of a wider variety of plants.

What grows best in London?

Many crops thrive in London, especially cold-tolerant varieties like lettuces, carrots, kohlrabi, and strawberries. Warm-loving plants like courgettes, cucumbers, and tomatoes can also be successful with protection and good care. Herbs like basil and wild garlic also do well.

When is the last frost in London?

The last frost in London typically occurs in early February. This allows for an early start to the gardening season for many hardy plants that can tolerate colder temperatures. However, for tender crops, you should still keep an eye on the weather forecast.