Read what I sow

A live diary of vegetable, herb and flower seeds I sow by date

Photo by Christopher Anderson

Below I am listing what I’ve been sowing in 2024, including when and where as a handy guide for you to compare. These aren’t exact dates of when you should sow, but it might help remind you of what to sow and when. I’ll keep this page updated for you to come back to and will include regular reminders in my newsletter. Follow along and let me know if you find other sowing dates better.

Some important info: I’m based in Yorkshire (hardiness zone H5 or USDA 7/8). Spring is about 2 - 4 weeks behind the south of the UK and I adjust early sowing dates accordingly. From mid-march it then balances out with pretty much the same sowing dates as down south until autumn. I only use multipurpose peat free compost for sowing and growing, I haven’t used seed compost for years.

January

12th

• Brown onion 'Yellow Rynsburger' (seeds sown | windowsill | heat mat for germination)

• Red onion 'Carmen’ (seeds sown | windowsill | heat mat for germination)

• Shallot 'Zebrune' (seeds sown | windowsill | heat mat for germination)

24th

• Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Black Barlow' (seeds sown | polytunnel)