Charles Dowding's Seed Sowing Timeline
An interactive guide to help you know exactly what to sow and when
Growing with the Seasons
This interactive timeline is based on Charles Dowding's expert guidance for sowing vegetables throughout the year. Use this guide to plan your growing season and maximize your harvest.
The timeline shows you what to sow each month, whether to sow under cover or outdoors, and provides helpful tips for successful growing.
Key
Sow Under Cover
In a mini greenhouse, cold frame, or windowsill/indoor growing area
Outside Sowing
Direct sowing in your garden or allotment
Extra Care
These plants must be sown with warmth early in the season and then planted out after last frost
Interactive Timeline
CHARLES DOWDING
SOWING TIMELINE
KEY
SOW UNDER COVER
in a mini greenhouse, cold frame, or windowsill/indoor growing area
EXTRA CARE
These plants must be sown with warmth early in the season and then planted out after last frost
OUTSIDE SOWING
Direct sowing into prepared soil
February
February Growing Guide
Best start date when light is increasing fast
Sow Under Cover
Outside Sowing
Tips for February
Best start date is after Valentine's Day when light is increasing fast.
* All outdoor sowings and plantings until May will benefit from the warmth provided by covers such as horticultural fleece.
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General Growing Tips
Seedling Care
Plant out seedlings when 2-4 weeks old if sown under cover. Ensure they are hardened off gradually before planting outside.
Winter Protection
All outdoor sowings and plantings until May will benefit from the warmth provided by covers such as horticultural fleece.
Succession Sowing
For continuous harvests, sow small amounts every 2-3 weeks rather than all at once.
Watering
Keep seedlings consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base of plants to avoid wetting foliage.
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Download our printable PDF version of Charles Dowding's Seed Sowing Timeline to reference whenever you need it.
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