Safe to Plant

Crops

Sowing and planting times for 307 crops

Every crop here is timed in weeks relative to the last spring frost, which is why the same table works in Helsinki and in Hobart. Pick a crop, then pick your town, and the offsets become dates.

Vegetables

Crop Frost tolerance Sowing Ready in
Tomatoes Love apple tender indoors 6wk before frost, out 2wk after 60–85 days
Lettuce half-hardy indoors 6wk before frost, direct 3wk before, autumn sowing 45–60 days
Potatoes half-hardy direct 2wk before 70–120 days
Courgettes Zucchini, summer squash tender indoors 3wk before frost, direct 2wk after 45–60 days
Sweet peppers Bell pepper, capsicum tender indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after 60–90 days
Carrots hardy direct 3wk before, autumn sowing 60–80 days
Cucumbers tender indoors 3wk before frost, direct 2wk after 50–70 days
Green beans French bean, snap bean, bush bean tender direct 1wk after 50–60 days
Peas Garden pea, English pea hardy direct 6wk before, autumn sowing 55–70 days
Garlic very-hardy autumn sowing 240–270 days
Chilli peppers Hot pepper, chile tender indoors 9wk before frost, out 2wk after 70–100 days
Sweetcorn Corn, maize tender direct 1wk after 60–100 days
Onions hardy indoors 10wk before frost, out 4wk before, autumn sowing 100–120 days
Pumpkins tender indoors 3wk before frost, direct 2wk after 90–120 days
Spinach hardy direct 6wk before, autumn sowing 40–50 days
Kale Borecole very-hardy indoors 6wk before frost, direct 2wk before, autumn sowing 55–75 days
Broccoli Calabrese, sprouting broccoli half-hardy indoors 7wk before frost, out 2wk before, autumn sowing 60–90 days
Beetroot Beet, table beet half-hardy direct 3wk before, autumn sowing 50–70 days
Winter squashes Butternut, kabocha tender indoors 3wk before frost, direct 2wk after 80–110 days
Cabbages hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 3wk before, autumn sowing 70–100 days
Aubergines Eggplant, brinjal tender indoors 8wk before frost, out 3wk after 65–80 days
Radishes hardy direct 4wk before, autumn sowing 22–30 days
Runner beans Scarlet runner tender indoors 2wk before frost, direct 1wk after 60–80 days
Asparagus very-hardy plant while dormant year 3
Watermelons Tarbooz tender indoors 5wk before frost, out 2wk after 80–110 days
Cos lettuce Romaine half-hardy indoors 6wk before frost, direct 3wk before, autumn sowing 55–70 days
Ginger Adrak, shengiber tender indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after 240–300 days
Swiss chard Silverbeet, leaf beet half-hardy indoors 5wk before frost, direct 2wk before, autumn sowing 50–60 days
Broad beans Fava bean very-hardy direct 8wk before, autumn sowing 80–100 days
Cauliflowers half-hardy indoors 7wk before frost, out 2wk before, autumn sowing 65–95 days
Rocket Arugula, roquette hardy direct 4wk before, autumn sowing 30–45 days
Turmeric Haldi, curcuma, manjal tender indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after 240–300 days
Butternut squash Butternut pumpkin tender indoors 4wk before frost, out 2wk after 100–120 days
Leeks very-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 0wk after 100–120 days
Melons Cantaloupe, muskmelon tender indoors 4wk before frost, out 3wk after 70–90 days
Watercress hardy plant while dormant —
Brussels sprouts very-hardy indoors 6wk before frost, out 0wk after 100–130 days
Okra Ladies fingers, bhindi, gumbo, bamia tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 3wk after 55–70 days
Collards Collard greens, couve very-hardy indoors 6wk before frost, direct 2wk before, autumn sowing 55–75 days
Iceberg lettuce Crisphead half-hardy indoors 6wk before frost, direct 3wk before 70–85 days
Spring onions Scallion, green onion hardy direct 4wk before, autumn sowing 55–75 days
Chinese cabbages Napa cabbage, wombok, hakusai half-hardy direct 10wk after 60–80 days
Sweet potatoes Kumara tender out 3wk after 90–120 days
Sugar snap peas Snap pea hardy direct 5wk before, autumn sowing 60–75 days
Wasabi Japanese horseradish, sawa wasabi hardy plant while dormant year 2
Butterhead lettuce Boston, bibb half-hardy indoors 6wk before frost, direct 3wk before, autumn sowing 45–60 days
Pak choi Bok choy, Chinese cabbage half-hardy indoors 4wk before frost, direct 2wk before, autumn sowing 40–55 days
Edamame Green soybean, mao dou tender direct 2wk after 75–95 days
Mustard greens Indian mustard, sarson, gai choy hardy direct 3wk before, autumn sowing 40–60 days
Shallots very-hardy direct 6wk before, autumn sowing 90–120 days
Bitter gourds Bitter melon, karela, ampalaya, goya tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 2wk after 70–90 days
Parsnips very-hardy direct 2wk before 100–130 days
Florence fennel Finocchio, bulb fennel half-hardy direct 2wk after 80–100 days
Cavolo nero Black kale, lacinato kale, Tuscan kale, dinosaur kale very-hardy indoors 6wk before frost, direct 2wk before 60–80 days
Celery half-hardy indoors 10wk before frost, out 2wk after 80–100 days
Mangetout Snow pea, sugar pea, flat pea hardy direct 5wk before, autumn sowing 55–70 days
Moringa Drumstick tree, malunggay, sahjan, horseradish tree tender plant after last frost year 1
Bottle gourds Calabash, lauki, opo squash, doodhi tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 2wk after 90–120 days
Globe artichokes half-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after year 2
Purple sprouting broccoli PSB, sprouting broccoli very-hardy direct 10wk after 220–300 days
Turnips hardy direct 4wk before, autumn sowing 40–55 days
Tomatillos Husk tomato, tomate verde tender indoors 6wk before frost, out 2wk after 75–100 days
Chayotes Choko, mirliton, christophine, chow chow tender out 2wk after 120–150 days
Kohlrabi hardy indoors 5wk before frost, direct 2wk before, autumn sowing 55–75 days
Leaf amaranth Callaloo, chaulai, een choy, hin choy tender direct 2wk after 30–45 days
Red cabbages hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 3wk before 90–120 days
Jerusalem artichokes Sunchoke very-hardy plant while dormant year 1
Swedes Rutabaga very-hardy direct 10wk after 90–120 days
Water spinach Kangkong, ong choy, morning glory vegetable, rau muong tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 2wk after 45–60 days
Daikon Mooli, winter radish hardy direct 8wk after, autumn sowing 60–80 days
Gherkins Pickling cucumber, cornichon tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 2wk after 50–65 days
Borlotti beans Cranberry bean, romano bean tender direct 2wk after 80–100 days
Celeriac Celery root hardy indoors 10wk before frost, out 2wk after 110–140 days
Endive Frisee, escarole, scarole hardy indoors 6wk before frost, direct 2wk after, autumn sowing 80–100 days
Malabar spinach Ceylon spinach, basella, poi saag, vine spinach tender indoors 6wk before frost, out 2wk after 60–80 days
Savoy cabbages very-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 3wk before 90–130 days
Taro Dasheen, eddoe tender out 2wk after 200–280 days
Cassava Manioc, yuca tender out 2wk after 240–330 days
Cress Garden cress, mustard and cress, halim half-hardy direct 4wk before 14–21 days
Spaghetti squash Vegetable spaghetti tender indoors 4wk before frost, out 2wk after 90–110 days
Yardlong beans Asparagus bean, snake bean, bora, long bean tender indoors 3wk before frost, direct 2wk after 60–80 days
Lima beans Butter bean, madagascar bean tender direct 2wk after 75–95 days
Lotus roots Renkon, kamal kakdi, sacred lotus hardy plant while dormant year 2
Rapini Broccoli raab, cima di rapa, rabe hardy direct 2wk before, autumn sowing 40–55 days
Galangal Greater galangal, lengkuas, kha tender plant after last frost year 2
Luffa Ridge gourd, sponge gourd, turai, sponge cucumber tender indoors 6wk before frost, out 2wk after 120–180 days
Radicchio Italian chicory, red chicory, Treviso hardy direct 4wk after 80–110 days
Romanesco Roman cauliflower, broccolo romanesco hardy indoors 6wk before frost, out 1wk before 75–100 days
Yams True yam tender out 2wk after 240–300 days
Lambs lettuce Corn salad, mache, feldsalat very-hardy direct 10wk after, autumn sowing 60–80 days
Water chestnuts Chinese water chestnut, matai tender out 2wk after 180–220 days
Elephant garlic very-hardy autumn sowing 240–270 days
Mizuna Japanese mustard, kyona hardy direct 4wk before, autumn sowing 35–45 days
Snake gourds Padwal, chichinda, pudalangai tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 2wk after 70–90 days
Kai-lan Chinese broccoli, gai lan, Chinese kale half-hardy direct 2wk after 50–70 days
Winter melons Ash gourd, wax gourd, petha, dong gua tender indoors 5wk before frost, out 2wk after 110–140 days
Burdock Gobo, greater burdock hardy direct 0wk after 100–140 days
Choy sum Yau choy, flowering Chinese cabbage, cai xin half-hardy direct 1wk after 40–55 days
Marrows Vegetable marrow tender indoors 3wk before frost, direct 2wk after 60–80 days
Welsh onions Japanese bunching onion very-hardy direct 4wk before, autumn sowing year 1
Purslane Verdolaga, pigweed, kulfa tender direct 2wk after 40–55 days
Patty pan squash Scallop squash, custard squash tender indoors 3wk before frost, direct 2wk after 50–65 days
Tatsoi Rosette bok choy, spoon mustard hardy direct 3wk before, autumn sowing 40–50 days
Egyptian walking onions Tree onion, topsetting onion very-hardy autumn sowing year 1
New Zealand spinach Tetragonia, warrigal greens, kokihi tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 1wk after 55–70 days
Witloof chicory Belgian endive, chicon, forcing chicory hardy direct 2wk after 150–180 days
Yacon Peruvian ground apple tender out 1wk after 150–210 days
Cardoons half-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after year 2
Oca New Zealand yam tender out 0wk after 180–210 days
Parsley root Hamburg parsley, root parsley, turnip-rooted parsley very-hardy direct 2wk before 90–120 days
Komatsuna Japanese mustard spinach hardy direct 3wk before, autumn sowing 35–50 days
Salsify Oyster plant very-hardy direct 2wk before 120–150 days
Claytonia Miners lettuce, winter purslane, Indian lettuce very-hardy direct 10wk after, autumn sowing 45–60 days
Shungiku Garland chrysanthemum, chop suey greens, tong ho, crown daisy hardy direct 3wk before, autumn sowing 40–55 days
Land cress American cress, upland cress, early winter cress very-hardy direct 8wk after, autumn sowing 50–70 days
Mibuna Kyoto greens hardy direct 4wk before, autumn sowing 40–50 days
Scorzonera Black salsify very-hardy direct 2wk before year 1
Sea kale very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Celtuce Stem lettuce, wosun, asparagus lettuce half-hardy indoors 6wk before frost, direct 2wk before 70–90 days
Good King Henry Perpetual spinach dock very-hardy direct 3wk before, autumn sowing year 2
Mashua Tuberous nasturtium tender out 0wk after 180–210 days
Orach Mountain spinach, red orach, arrach hardy direct 2wk before 40–60 days
Skirret Crummock, sugar root very-hardy plant while dormant year 1
Agretti Saltwort, barba di frate, monks beard half-hardy direct 4wk before 50–70 days
Chinese artichokes Crosne, knotroot, chorogi hardy out 0wk after 180–210 days

Herbs

Crop Frost tolerance Sowing Ready in
Basil Sweet basil tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 2wk after 50–70 days
Coriander Cilantro, Chinese parsley half-hardy direct 2wk before, autumn sowing 45–70 days
Parsley hardy indoors 8wk before frost, direct 2wk before, autumn sowing 70–90 days
Rosemary hardy plant while dormant year 1
Lavender hardy plant while dormant year 1
Mint very-hardy direct 4wk before —
Chives very-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, direct 4wk before —
Lemongrass Serai, takrai, citronella grass tender plant after last frost —
Sage Common sage very-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after year 1
Dill half-hardy direct 0wk after 40–60 days
Thyme hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 0wk after —
Wild garlic Ramsons, bear garlic, buckrams very-hardy autumn sowing year 2
Oregano Wild marjoram hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 0wk after —
Bay Sweet bay, bay laurel half-hardy plant after last frost year 2
Fennel Herb fennel hardy direct 2wk before, autumn sowing year 1
French tarragon hardy plant while dormant year 1
Curry leaves tender plant after last frost year 2
Lemon balm Melissa very-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, direct 2wk before, autumn sowing year 1
Garlic chives Chinese chives, gau choy, nira very-hardy plant while dormant —
Sweet marjoram Knotted marjoram tender indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after 60–80 days
Shiso Perilla, beefsteak plant tender indoors 6wk before frost, direct 1wk after 70–90 days
Fenugreek Methi half-hardy direct 0wk after, autumn sowing 30–90 days
Horseradish very-hardy plant while dormant year 1
Cumin tender indoors 6wk before frost, direct 2wk after 100–130 days
Lemon thyme very-hardy out 2wk after year 1
Sorrel Common sorrel very-hardy direct 4wk before, autumn sowing year 1
Stevia Sweetleaf tender indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after year 1
Vietnamese coriander Rau ram, laksa leaf tender out 2wk after year 1
Chervil French parsley hardy direct 4wk before, autumn sowing 60–80 days
Caraway very-hardy direct 3wk before, autumn sowing 240–300 days
Summer savory tender indoors 6wk before frost, direct 1wk after 60–75 days
Epazote tender direct 1wk after 60–80 days
Hyssop very-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after year 1
Lovage very-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, direct 2wk before, autumn sowing year 2
Winter savory very-hardy out 2wk after year 1

Fruit

Crop Frost tolerance Sowing Ready in
Apples very-hardy plant while dormant year 3
Strawberries hardy plant while dormant year 1
Blueberries Highbush blueberry very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Pears very-hardy plant while dormant year 4
Grapes Vine hardy plant while dormant year 3
Plums very-hardy plant while dormant year 3
Summer raspberries Floricane raspberry very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Oranges Sweet orange tender plant after last frost year 3
Sweet cherries Dessert cherry very-hardy plant while dormant year 4
Lemons tender plant after last frost year 2
Peaches hardy plant while dormant year 3
Autumn raspberries Primocane raspberry, everbearing raspberry very-hardy plant while dormant year 1
Figs half-hardy plant after last frost year 2
Mandarins Tangerine, satsuma, clementine tender plant after last frost year 3
Rhubarb very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Blackberries Bramble very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Apricots hardy plant while dormant year 3
Limes tender plant after last frost year 2
Blackcurrants very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Pomegranates half-hardy plant after last frost year 3
Olives half-hardy plant after last frost year 4
Nectarines hardy plant while dormant year 3
Passionfruit Granadilla tender plant after last frost year 2
Gooseberries very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Sour cherries Morello cherry, tart cherry very-hardy plant while dormant year 3
Kiwifruit Chinese gooseberry half-hardy plant after last frost year 4
Grapefruit tender plant after last frost year 4
Persimmons Kaki, sharon fruit hardy plant while dormant year 4
Redcurrants very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Cape gooseberries Physalis, goldenberry tender indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after 100–130 days
Mulberries hardy plant while dormant year 5
Kumquats tender plant after last frost year 2
Elderberries Elder very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Calamansi Calamondin, Philippine lime tender plant after last frost year 2
Quinces hardy plant while dormant year 4
Damsons very-hardy plant while dormant year 3
Goji berries Wolfberry very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Hardy kiwis Kiwiberry, arctic kiwi very-hardy plant while dormant year 3
Loquats Japanese medlar half-hardy plant after last frost year 3
Cranberries very-hardy plant while dormant year 3
Greengages Gage hardy plant while dormant year 3
Honeyberries Haskap very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Serviceberries Saskatoon, juneberry very-hardy plant while dormant year 3
Tayberries hardy plant while dormant year 2
Whitecurrants very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Loganberries hardy plant while dormant year 2
Jostaberries very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Aronia berries Chokeberry very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Sea buckthorns Seaberry very-hardy plant while dormant year 3
Medlars hardy plant while dormant year 4

Nuts

Crop Frost tolerance Sowing Ready in
Peanuts Groundnut, monkey nut tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 2wk after 120–150 days
Walnuts English walnut, Persian walnut very-hardy plant while dormant year 6
Almonds hardy plant while dormant year 4
Hazelnuts Cobnut, filbert very-hardy plant while dormant year 4
Pecans very-hardy plant while dormant year 7
Sweet chestnuts Spanish chestnut very-hardy plant while dormant year 7
Pistachios hardy plant while dormant year 6
Macadamias tender plant after last frost year 5

Grains and pulses

Crop Frost tolerance Sowing Ready in
Soybeans Edamame, soya bean tender direct 2wk after 85–120 days
Chickpeas Garbanzo bean half-hardy direct 2wk before, autumn sowing 100–130 days
Winter wheat very-hardy autumn sowing 240–300 days
Quinoa half-hardy direct 1wk before 110–140 days
Cowpeas Black-eyed pea, southern pea tender direct 2wk after 70–100 days
Spring wheat hardy direct 3wk before 100–130 days
Lentils hardy direct 4wk before, autumn sowing 80–110 days
Buckwheat tender direct 1wk after 70–90 days
Mung beans Green gram tender direct 2wk after 75–100 days
Oats hardy direct 4wk before, autumn sowing 100–130 days
Barley hardy direct 3wk before, autumn sowing 90–120 days
Rye very-hardy autumn sowing 240–300 days
Amaranth Grain amaranth tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 1wk after 100–130 days

Flowers

Crop Frost tolerance Sowing Ready in
Tulips very-hardy autumn sowing 150–200 days
Daffodils narcissus very-hardy autumn sowing 140–190 days
Dahlias tender plant after last frost —
Sunflowers tender direct 1wk after 70–100 days
Crocuses very-hardy autumn sowing 120–170 days
Peonies very-hardy plant while dormant year 3
Calendulas pot marigold, english marigold hardy indoors 6wk before frost, direct 3wk before 55–70 days
Hyacinths very-hardy autumn sowing 150–200 days
Sweet peas hardy indoors 10wk before frost, direct 6wk before, autumn sowing 90–110 days
Pansies viola x wittrockiana very-hardy indoors 12wk before frost, out 4wk before 90–120 days
Snowdrops very-hardy autumn sowing 110–160 days
Zinnias tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 1wk after 60–80 days
Gladioli sword lily tender plant after last frost —
Hostas plantain lily very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Ornamental alliums allium, drumstick allium very-hardy autumn sowing 180–230 days
Cosmos tender indoors 4wk before frost, direct 1wk after 70–90 days
Coneflowers echinacea, purple coneflower very-hardy indoors 10wk before frost, out 2wk after year 1
Persian buttercups ranunculus half-hardy autumn sowing 90–120 days
Asiatic lilies very-hardy plant while dormant —
Cornflowers bachelor's button, centaurea hardy indoors 6wk before frost, direct 3wk before 65–85 days
Grape hyacinths muscari very-hardy autumn sowing 130–180 days
Marigolds French marigold, tagetes tender indoors 6wk before frost, direct 1wk after 50–70 days
Daylilies very-hardy plant while dormant year 1
English bluebells wild hyacinth very-hardy autumn sowing 150–190 days
Nasturtiums tender direct 1wk after 50–65 days
Oriental lilies stargazer lily very-hardy plant while dormant —
Snapdragons antirrhinum hardy indoors 10wk before frost, out 2wk before 90–120 days
Bearded irises flag iris very-hardy plant while dormant year 1
Black-eyed Susans rudbeckia, coneflower very-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after year 1
Foxgloves digitalis very-hardy direct 6wk after 330–380 days
Lily of the valley very-hardy plant while dormant —
Hellebores lenten rose, christmas rose very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Lupins lupine very-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, direct 2wk before year 1
Tuberous begonias tender plant after last frost —
Calla lilies arum lily half-hardy plant after last frost —
Hollyhocks alcea very-hardy direct 6wk after 340–390 days
Cannas canna lily tender plant after last frost —
Delphiniums very-hardy indoors 10wk before frost, out 2wk after year 1
Sweet alyssum lobularia hardy indoors 8wk before frost, direct 1wk before 50–65 days
Agapanthus African lily, lily of the Nile half-hardy plant after last frost year 2
Hardy geraniums cranesbill very-hardy out 2wk after year 1
Shasta daisies very-hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk after year 1
Dutch irises hardy autumn sowing 170–210 days
Shirley poppies field poppy, corn poppy hardy direct 4wk before 60–80 days
Wood sages perennial salvia, meadow sage very-hardy out 2wk after year 1
Crocosmias montbretia hardy plant while dormant —
Garden phlox summer phlox very-hardy out 2wk after year 1
Love-in-a-mist nigella hardy direct 3wk before 70–90 days
Freesias tender plant after last frost —
Stonecrops sedum, autumn joy very-hardy out 2wk after year 1
Sweet williams dianthus barbatus very-hardy direct 6wk after 335–380 days
Violas johnny-jump-up, heartsease very-hardy indoors 12wk before frost, out 4wk before 85–110 days
Astilbes false spiraea very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Forget-me-nots myosotis very-hardy direct 6wk after 300–335 days
Larkspurs annual delphinium hardy direct 4wk before 90–110 days
Michaelmas daisies aster, symphyotrichum very-hardy out 2wk after year 1
Bleeding hearts dicentra, lamprocapnos very-hardy plant while dormant year 2
Grecian windflowers anemone blanda hardy autumn sowing 140–180 days
Tickseeds coreopsis hardy indoors 8wk before frost, direct 1wk after year 1
Wallflowers erysimum very-hardy direct 6wk after 300–340 days
Russian sages perovskia very-hardy out 2wk after year 1
Siberian squills scilla very-hardy autumn sowing 120–160 days
Stocks gillyflower, matthiola hardy indoors 8wk before frost, out 2wk before 80–110 days
Crown imperials fritillaria very-hardy autumn sowing 160–200 days
Gauras beeblossom half-hardy out 2wk after year 1
Honesty lunaria, silver dollar plant very-hardy direct 6wk after 300–340 days
Nerines Guernsey lily half-hardy plant after last frost year 2
Annual scabious pincushion flower, sweet scabious hardy indoors 8wk before frost, direct 2wk before 90–120 days
Camassias quamash very-hardy autumn sowing 180–220 days
Bishop's flowers false queen anne's lace, ammi majus hardy indoors 8wk before frost, direct 3wk before 100–130 days
Winter aconites very-hardy autumn sowing 100–150 days
Candytufts iberis hardy direct 3wk before 55–75 days
Canterbury bells campanula medium hardy direct 6wk after 335–385 days
Godetias clarkia, farewell-to-spring hardy direct 3wk before 75–95 days
Orlayas white lace flower, minoan lace hardy indoors 8wk before frost, direct 4wk before 90–120 days
Honeyworts cerinthe, blue shrimp plant hardy indoors 8wk before frost, direct 2wk before 80–100 days