In London, the average last spring frost is May 8 and the average first fall frost is Oct 10, a growing season of about 155 days (zone 6b). Start tomatoes indoors around Mar 27 and move them outside from May 22. Plant garlic Oct 17 to Oct 24, one to two weeks after the first fall frost.
London at a glance
- Last spring frost
- May 8 (average)
- First fall frost
- Oct 10 (average)
- Frost-free season
- About 155 days
- Hardiness zone
- 6b (NRCan)
- Weather stations
- London, Strathroy-Mullifarry and Delhi, 1991 to 2020 normals. GrowSmart's dates are the median of these stations, to within 3 days
An average frost date means frost is still possible after it in about half of years. GrowSmart times tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil after this date, not on it.
What to plant in London this month (January)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in London in January. Next up: start onions indoors on Feb 27.
What to plant in London this month (February)
- Start onions indoors: Feb 27
What to plant in London this month (March)
- Start tomatoes indoors: Mar 27
- Start peppers indoors: Mar 27
- Start eggplant indoors: Mar 27
- Start lettuce indoors: Mar 27
Coming up in early April: start kale indoors (Apr 3), start broccoli indoors (Apr 3), start cabbage indoors (Apr 3) and start basil indoors (Apr 10).
What to plant in London this month (April)
- Start kale indoors: Apr 3
- Start broccoli indoors: Apr 3
- Start cabbage indoors: Apr 3
- Start basil indoors: Apr 10
- Direct sow spinach: Apr 17
- Direct sow peas: Apr 17
- Direct sow radishes: Apr 17
- Transplant lettuce: Apr 24
- Direct sow carrots: Apr 24
- Start cucumbers indoors: Apr 24
- Start zucchini indoors: Apr 24
- Start winter squash indoors: Apr 24
Coming up in early May: direct sow beets (May 1), transplant kale (May 1), transplant broccoli (May 1), transplant cabbage (May 1), direct sow potatoes (May 1) and transplant onions (May 8).
What to plant in London this month (May)
- Direct sow beets: May 1
- Transplant kale: May 1
- Transplant broccoli: May 1
- Transplant cabbage: May 1
- Direct sow potatoes: May 1
- Transplant onions: May 8
- Transplant cucumbers: May 15
- Transplant zucchini: May 15
- Transplant winter squash: May 15
- Direct sow beans: May 15
- Transplant tomatoes: May 22
- Transplant peppers: May 22
- Transplant eggplant: May 22
- Transplant basil: May 22
What to plant in London this month (June)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in London in June. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 1.
What to plant in London this month (July)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in London in July. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 1.
What to plant in London this month (August)
- Sow peas for a fall harvest: Aug 1
- Sow kale for a fall harvest: Aug 1
- Sow lettuce for a fall harvest: Aug 15
- Sow spinach for a fall harvest: Aug 22
Coming up in early September: sow radishes for a fall harvest (Sep 5).
What to plant in London this month (September)
- Sow radishes for a fall harvest: Sep 5
What to plant in London this month (October)
- Plant garlic: Oct 17 to Oct 24
What to plant in London this month (November)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in London in November. Next up: start onions indoors on Feb 27.
What to plant in London this month (December)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in London in December. Next up: start onions indoors on Feb 27.
London planting calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 27 | Transplant May 22 | From Aug 8 |
| Peppers | Mar 27 | Transplant May 22 | From Aug 2 |
| Eggplant | Mar 27 | Transplant May 22 | From Aug 5 |
| Basil | Apr 10 | Transplant May 22 | From Jul 3 |
| Onions (from seed) | Feb 27 | Transplant May 8 | From Aug 16 |
| Lettuce | Mar 27 | Transplant Apr 24Fall: direct sow Aug 15 | From Jun 3Fall: from Sep 24 |
| Spinach | n/a | Direct sow Apr 17Fall: direct sow Aug 22 | From May 27Fall: from Oct 1 |
| Peas | n/a | Direct sow Apr 17Fall: direct sow Aug 1 | From Jun 16Fall: from Sep 30 |
| Radishes | n/a | Direct sow Apr 17Fall: direct sow Sep 5 | From May 12Fall: from Sep 30 |
| Carrots | n/a | Direct sow Apr 24 | From Jul 3 |
| Beets | n/a | Direct sow May 1 | From Jun 25 |
| Kale | Apr 3 | Transplant May 1Fall: direct sow Aug 1 | From Jun 25Fall: from Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Apr 3 | Transplant May 1 | From Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Apr 3 | Transplant May 1 | From Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 24 | Transplant May 15 | From Jul 9 |
| Zucchini | Apr 24 | Transplant May 15 | From Jul 4 |
| Winter squash | Apr 24 | Transplant May 15 | From Aug 13 |
| Beans | n/a | Direct sow May 15 | From Jul 9 |
| Potatoes | n/a | Direct sow May 1 | From Jul 20 |
| Garlic | n/a | Plant cloves Oct 17 to Oct 24 | Around Jul 31 the next year |
Dates are for one planting of each crop, from London's average frost dates. Tomatoes are indeterminate, lettuce is looseleaf and beans are bush beans. Harvest dates are when the first picking is usually ready. Garlic follows University of Minnesota Extension (see below).
Fall planting in London
Plant garlic Oct 17 to Oct 24. That is one to two weeks after London's average first fall frost of Oct 10, the timing University of Minnesota Extension recommends, so the cloves root before winter without sending shoots up. Harvest comes around Jul 31 the following summer. How to plant garlic in London.
Shallots: GrowSmart's plan has you plant shallot sets in fall in zone 5 and warmer, and in spring in colder zones.
Cool-season crops GrowSmart schedules for a fall harvest in London:
- Peas: sow Aug 1, ready from about Sep 30
- Kale: sow Aug 1, ready from about Sep 25
- Lettuce: sow Aug 15, ready from about Sep 24
- Spinach: sow Aug 22, ready from about Oct 1
- Radishes: sow Sep 5, ready from about Sep 30
Nearby planting calendars
London planting questions
When is the last frost in London?
The average last spring frost in London is May 8, and the average first fall frost is Oct 10, from 1991 to 2020 climate normals at 3 nearby weather stations. Frost is still possible after the spring date in about half of years.
When should I start tomato seeds in London?
Start tomatoes indoors around Mar 27, 8 weeks before moving them outside around May 22, which is two weeks after the average last frost.
What can I plant in London in fall?
Garlic goes in Oct 17 to Oct 24. For fall harvests, sow peas and kale around Aug 1, lettuce around Aug 15, spinach around Aug 22 and radishes around Sep 5.