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General broccoli calendar

London, United Kingdom · 51.51°

When to plant broccoli in London

The London dates are calculated from the observed last spring frost — a 2016–2025 mean of 6 April — rather than from a latitude estimate or a national calendar. The frost-free season here averages 228 days.

Season anchorobserved 2016–2025

Last spring frost: 6 April · latest 30 Apr

First autumn frost: 20 November · earliest 1 Nov

Frost-free season: 228 days · 10 complete years

These come from the ERA5 reanalysis on a roughly 9 km grid, so they describe the area rather than your plot. A hollow, a frost pocket or an exposed site regularly runs several degrees colder, so use the cautious date for a decision you cannot undo.

Frost date estimator

Local calendar windows

Sow indoors23 February – 9 March19 March – 2 April
Sow outdoors6 April – 21 May30 April – 14 June
Plant out30 March – 21 May23 April – 14 June
Second planting31 May – 30 June24 June – 24 July
Approximate harvest25 June – 4 August19 July – 28 August

The cautious column is calculated from the latest frost recorded in the period (30 Apr). Use it for tender crops you cannot re-sow.

The year in London

What can move the date

Any check — dry soil, root disturbance, a heat spell — makes it button up and flower tiny. Keep it watered and firm the soil around the stem well.

Final spacing: 45 × 60 cm. Soil: pH 6.5–7.5.

Direct-sow only once the soil holds 7°C or more — soil temperature decides germination, not the date.

Problems in London

Each has its locally favourable conditions counted month by month, from the weather archive for this city.

Full guide: broccoli diseases and pests →

The same crop elsewhere