Monthly Gardening Tips: Gardening Calendar and What to Do When

Gardening is a journey that evolves with the seasons, offering endless opportunities to nurture your plants and connect with nature. To help you make the most of your garden all year round, we’ve created this monthly gardening guide. Each month, we’ll share practical tips, timely tasks, and expert advice to keep your garden thriving—whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting out.

If you’re looking to deepen your knowledge and skills, you might enjoy our Get Growing course. A great way to explore the joys of growing your own produce and get hands-on guidance.

Bookmark this article and check back regularly as we add new updates for each month, guiding you through the year with inspiration and easy-to-follow advice. Let’s get growing!

January: Setting the Stage for a Productive Year

January is a great time to get ahead in your garden, although there’s no need to rush. While you may still have a few harvests left from late brassicas, leeks, and undercover salad leaves, you’ll notice the garden starting to show empty patches. This is the perfect opportunity to nourish your soil and prepare it for the growing season ahead.

Feed the soil

Add an inch or two of good compost—whether it’s homemade, well-rotted manure, or store-bought. This layer will enrich the soil and keep your beds productive throughout the year.

Weed control

Take the time to pick out any small weeds that may have started to appear. Tackling them now will prevent an invasion come springtime.

Hold off on sowing

Light levels are still too low for sowing seeds. It’s better to wait until late February when the days are longer and the weather is warmer.

Plan and prepare

Use January as a chance to tidy your workspace, clear debris, and organise your tools. It’s also an excellent time to browse seed catalogs and map out your planting schedule for the year ahead.

February: Preparing for Spring with Careful Garden Prep

February is a relaxed month in the garden, a time to focus on preparation without feeling rushed. While the days are still short, there’s plenty to do to ensure your garden is ready for the new growing season.

Let’s dive into some key tasks to tackle this month to set yourself up for success.

Prune your apple trees

Now is the time to prune your apple trees to keep them healthy and productive. Removing any dead, damaged, or diseased wood will help promote strong growth as we move towards spring.

Thin out blackcurrants and gooseberries

Take the opportunity to thin out your black currants and gooseberries by removing older growth. This will allow space for fresh, new growth, helping your plants thrive in the season ahead.

Get sowing

February is a great time to start sowing your brassicas, lettuces, and alliums. If you have access to a heated space, try sowing in trays with some warmth, or set them on a sunny windowsill. If you have a greenhouse, even better – it will give your seedlings the perfect start!

General tidying

Keeping your garden clean and organised is essential during these quieter months. If the weather permits and you have a dry day, take the time to tidy up your garden space. Cutting your grass now will help keep things neat and prevent any overgrowth when spring arrives.

Make compost

Composting is a vital task that will pay off throughout the year. If you’re adding compost to your garden, opt for older compost if you can. The older the compost, the more nutrients it will provide for your soil.

Sow chillies and aubergines

Now’s the time to sow your chillies and aubergines as they take a long time to grow. Starting them now will give them the head start they need, ensuring you have a great harvest later in the season.

Hold off on tomatoes

While the urge to sow tomatoes may be strong, it’s better to wait until early March to start them to be on the safe side. If you plan to grow them outside, you might want to wait a month longer, giving them the warmth they need to grow strong.

A relaxed month ahead

February doesn’t need to be a month of rush. Things will catch up in spring, so take this time to focus on preparing your garden in a thoughtful, calm way. A relaxed approach this month will set you up for a productive, vibrant garden as the weather warms.

March: Spring Is in the Air

March is here, and it’s time to get your garden ready for the burst of growth that comes with spring. With the weather warming up, there’s plenty to do this month to set yourself up for a successful growing season.

May: The Garden Bursts into Life

May is when everything in the garden seems to take off at once. The days are long, the soil is warming, and plants are growing fast, so there’s plenty to keep your hands busy.

Weeds wait for no one

As the garden comes alive, so do the weeds. Get ahead of them now before they take over and crowd out your veg. A little weeding here and there goes a long way. Don’t let them get on top of you.

Planting and transplanting

This is a key month for getting young plants into the ground. If you’ve been nurturing seedlings in trays, it’s time to transplant them into your beds or containers. Tomatoes can be planted out into the polytunnel now. They can also go outside if you prefer.

Warm weather crops

By mid May, the risk of frost is usually past, so you can start planting out warmth loving crops like cucumbers, courgettes, melons, squash and sweetcorn. These sun hungry plants will thank you for the space and sunshine.

Keep sowing

You can now sow French beans, kale and swede. It might feel early but now is the time to start thinking ahead to your winter crops. Keep things rolling with successive sowings to ensure a steady supply of produce.

Flowers for pollinators and colour

Sow sunflowers, marigolds, cosmos and calendula to attract pollinators and brighten up your plot. Many of these are also self seeders, so once you start, they’ll often keep coming back.

Harvest time begins

May brings the joy of harvesting early crops. You might be picking peas, mangetout, lettuces and even baby fennel. Enjoy these first fresh flavours of the season. There’s nothing quite like it.

Watering wisely

With drier weather setting in, keep an eye on your plants. If you see wilting, they’re asking for a drink. Water as and when it’s needed, preferably in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.

June: The Garden Hits Its Stride

June is when the garden really gets into gear. The days are long, the sun is high, and the plants seem to be growing before your eyes. There’s plenty to harvest, plant, and prepare. It’s a month for enjoying your plot and keeping things productive.

Weeds don’t take holidays

Everything’s growing fast, including the weeds. Stay on top of them before they go to seed. A quick hoe on a dry day or a targeted hand-weed after rain will help keep your crops from being crowded out.

Planting out and staking up

Warm weather crops like squash, courgettes and sweetcorn can all be planted out now. Taller plants, especially climbing beans and tomatoes, will need support. Get your canes and string in place before they start sprawling.

Feeding the hungry ones

Fast growing fruiting plants like tomatoes, courgettes and cucumbers are working hard now. Help them along with a fortnightly liquid feed. Comfrey tea or seaweed feed both do the job nicely.

Sow now, harvest later

Keep sowing salad leaves, beetroot, carrots and spring onions every few weeks to keep a steady supply coming. You can also sow winter brassicas like kale and purple sprouting broccoli now. It feels early but you’ll thank yourself later.

Flowers and pollinators

Keep sowing hardy annuals like calendula, cosmos and nasturtiums for late summer colour. Sweet peas will thrive with regular picking and deadheading will keep everything looking fresh and blooming longer.

Start harvesting the good stuff

It’s picking time. Strawberries, gooseberries, broad beans, new potatoes, early carrots and lettuces are all coming into their own. Pick little and often to keep plants productive and your kitchen stocked with the freshest flavours.

Watering and watching

With warmer weather, containers and young plants can dry out fast. Water early or late in the day to avoid evaporation and keep an eye on slugs after rain. They haven’t gone anywhere.

July: The Garden in Full Flow

July is a month of abundance. The garden is giving generously, the beds are bursting with colour and flavour, and the kitchen is reaping the rewards. But while things are thriving above ground, it’s also time to think ahead to cooler days and autumn harvests.

Pick and pick again

Tomatoes have landed and they’re going strong. Cucumbers are tumbling off the vines, and the courgettes have hit their stride. We picked 30 kilos in a single day. Carrots and beetroot are coming up thick and fast, and blackcurrants are ripe for the picking. We like to turn them into a sharp, summery sorbet.

Aromatic herbs and pungent bulbs

Garlic is ready for drying. Lift the bulbs and leave them somewhere warm and airy. Basil, coriander and dill are all peaking now too, perfect for scattering into summer salads or bundling into bunches for drying.

A garden in bloom

The borders and beds are awash with colour. July’s flowers are putting on a show, bringing in the pollinators and brightening every corner of the plot. Keep deadheading to encourage more blooms.

Sow now for autumn harvests

It might feel counterintuitive, but now’s the time to start thinking about your winter garden. Sow kale, radicchio, Chinese cabbage, mustard leaves, beetroot and carrots for an autumn and winter payoff.

Jobs to get on with

• Pinch out tomato side shoots to keep growth in check
• Remove lower leaves on cabbages and leafy greens to improve airflow
• Keep on top of weeding. It’s still a race to the light
• Prune fruit trees in summer to shape and support future growth
• Start a compost pile. Garden waste is plentiful this time of year
• Water deeply and regularly in hot weather, especially for anything in containers

August: Sunshine, Showers and a Garden Full of Goodness

August in Devon is a month of abundance. The garden is heavy with fruit and bursting with colour, and there’s something to pick, prune, or preserve every day. The season is at its peak, but the first hints of autumn are just around the corner, so it’s time to make the most of the warmth while it lasts.

Harvest daily and often

Tomatoes are ripening steadily, their skins warm from the late summer sun, or the greenhouse if the rain rolls in. Courgettes are still producing well, so pick them small and often to avoid marrows. Runner and French beans are at their best now, and sweetcorn is ready when the silks have turned brown and the kernels release milky juice when pressed. Soft fruits like raspberries, blueberries and late strawberries will keep coming into early autumn here, so keep picking to encourage more.

Cut, dry, and store

Herbs such as oregano, thyme, and sage are at their most fragrant. Harvest now for drying so you have jars full for winter cooking. Onions can be lifted and cured in a warm, airy spot. A greenhouse with the door open works perfectly in our changeable weather.

Blooms and pollinators

Dahlias, sunflowers, rudbeckia and echinacea are still full of life and buzzing with pollinators. Deadhead regularly to prolong the display and encourage a second flush, especially if the weather stays mild.

Prepare for the season ahead

Sow spinach, chard, and winter lettuces for autumn picking. Plant out leeks and brassicas if you started them earlier in the summer. When beds empty, sow green manure to feed the soil and protect it from the wet Devon winter.

Jobs to get on with

October: Settling into Autumn

October in Devon is a month of colour and preparation. The days grow shorter, the air takes on a crisp edge, and the garden shifts towards rest. Harvests are still plentiful, but much of the focus now is on protecting crops, tidying beds, and making sure the soil is ready for the year ahead.

Harvest and Store

Pumpkins and squash need to be brought in before the first frost. Cure them indoors for a week or two to harden their skins and they’ll store right through winter. Late peas and beans can still be harvested, but cut plants at the base, leaving roots behind to feed the soil. Apples and pears continue, providing plenty for storing, juicing or preserving.

Keep Crops Coming

Green tomatoes and peppers can be ripened indoors by hanging whole plants upside down in a dry place. Cauliflower heads benefit from protection at this time of year. Simply fold outer leaves over the developing curds to keep them snug. Cabbages, too, can surprise you with a second flush of leaves if you leave the root in the ground and score a cross into the stem.

Sow for Autumn and Winter

There’s still time to enjoy fresh greens through the colder months. Old grow bags or containers can be replanted with hardy salad leaves such as rocket, mizuna or lamb’s lettuce. These provide cut-and-come-again harvests long after the main crops have finished.

Care for the Soil and Garden

Now is the time to dig trenches and fill them with manure or kitchen scraps to prepare for next year’s beans and brassicas. Clear yellowing asparagus foliage to allow crowns to rest and strengthen over winter. Keep an eye on weeds and pests as they seek shelter in beds, and continue adding compost wherever ground is bare.

Jobs to get on with

• Harvest pumpkins and squash before frost and cure indoors
• Gather apples and pears for storing or preserving
• Ripen green tomatoes and peppers by hanging plants upside down
• Protect cauliflowers by wrapping leaves around the heads
• Score cabbage stems to encourage regrowth
• Dig trenches with manure or kitchen waste for next season’s crops
• Cut back asparagus foliage as it yellows
• Sow hardy salads in containers or grow bags

November: Frost, Flavour, and Future Plans

November in Devon is a month of transition. The mornings are frost-kissed, the light grows softer, and the garden slows down as it moves towards winter. While harvests continue, attention shifts to protecting crops, tidying beds, and preparing soil for the spring ahead.

Enjoy the Late Harvest

Late brassicas such as kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage can still be picked, and many taste sweeter after a frost. Root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, beetroot and turnips should be lifted before the ground freezes, with parsnips becoming particularly sweet after frost. Maincrop potatoes need harvesting, and remaining garlic and onions can be lifted once tops die back.

Protect and Extend Crops

Hardy greens such as winter lettuce, spinach and chard benefit from frost protection. Simple row covers or cloches can extend their harvest well into winter. Leeks also continue to grow, and a thick layer of mulch will help protect them from freezing. Leaving some seed heads in place provides food for birds and adds interest to winter beds.

Plant for the Future

November is still a good time to plant garlic, onions and shallots for next year. Broad beans or early peas can be sown in a sheltered spot to give you a head start on spring. Old grow bags or small containers can be planted with hardy salad leaves for an ongoing cut and come again harvest.

Prepare the Garden for Winter

Add compost, leaf mould or well-rotted manure to beds where crops have finished to enrich the soil. Mulching beds protects them from erosion and freezes. Clear away old, diseased plant material to reduce overwintering pests, and consider sowing a cover crop or green manure to keep the soil healthy and productive.

Jobs to Get On With

• Harvest late brassicas and frost-touched root vegetables
• Lift maincrop potatoes, garlic and onions
• Protect winter greens and leeks with mulch or covers
• Sow garlic, onions and early broad beans or peas
• Add compost, leaf mold or well-rotted manure to empty beds
• Clear old crops and diseased foliage to prevent pests
• Mulch beds and sow cover crops to protect soil

December: Rest, Repair, and Quiet Growth

December in the UK garden is a month of stillness. The days are short, the frosts settle deeper, and most growth slows as the garden enters its quietest phase. But for a plot that produces food all year round, December still brings a steady rhythm of harvesting, protecting crops, and preparing the space for the early months of next year.

Enjoy the Winter Harvest

Hardy winter crops continue to offer fresh produce through the cold:
Leeks stand strong in the beds, winter salads under cover grow slowly but steadily, and brassicas such as Brussels sprouts and kale taste their best after repeated frost.

Winter radishes, celeriac, and stored roots can be lifted or pulled as needed. Harvesting little and often helps keep plants healthy and the soil tidy.

Protect What’s Growing

December often brings the first prolonged freezes, so protection is key. Cloches and fleece keep winter greens, salads, and young onions safe from harsh weather.

Heavy frost or snow should be gently brushed off brassicas to prevent stems snapping. A fresh layer of mulch around root crops helps insulate the soil and keeps it workable during cold spells.

Prepare the Garden for Deep Winter

With growth slowed, December is an ideal month for quieter maintenance. Clearing the last weeds prevents them overwintering and spreading in spring. Greenhouse and polytunnel areas benefit from a tidy and clean to reduce damp and mould. Pots should be lifted off the ground to prevent waterlogging.

Any remaining healthy plant material can be added to compost, helping keep the cycle going throughout winter.

Care for Fruit and Perennial Areas

Dormant season is the perfect time to tend fruit. Apples and pears can be pruned now, shaping the trees for a healthy season ahead. Mulching fruit bushes and trees boosts soil health and protects roots from freezing temperatures.

Checking stakes, supports, and wires ensures everything is secure for winter winds. Perennial herb beds can be tidied, with old growth removed and mulch added to protect roots.

Garden Planning and Tool Care

December offers space for reflection and preparation. Sorting seed packets, noting what worked well this year, and planning crop rotations sets you up for a smoother start in the new year. Tools, pots, and trays can be cleaned and repaired, ready for early sowings in January and February.

A little organisation now makes spring feel much less hectic.

Jobs to Get On With

• Harvest winter brassicas, leeks, celeriac and salads under cover
• Protect winter crops with fleece or cloches during cold spells
• Brush frost or snow off brassica heads to prevent damage
• Clear remaining weeds and tidy beds and greenhouses
• Lift pots off the ground to avoid waterlogging
• Mulch fruit trees, bushes and perennial beds
• Prune apple and pear trees while dormant
• Check stored crops and remove anything showing signs of rot
• Review seed stocks and begin planning next year’s layout