When to Sow in Ireland
Ireland has a reputation for bad weather, but for growing seeds it is actually a great climate. The mild winters, reliable rainfall and long spring days suit many Italian heirloom varieties surprisingly well. This guide is based on real Irish conditions, not a British or Continental calendar. Use it as your starting point and adjust for your own garden.
A word on timing: The last frost in most of Ireland falls somewhere between late March and mid-April. Coastal gardens can sow earlier; Midlands and northern counties are usually two to three weeks behind. When in doubt, wait a little longer. A healthy seedling sown a week late will always overtake a frost-damaged one.
January
Plan before you sow
- Chillies and sweet peppers need a long season, so start them now on a warm windowsill
- Celeriac is slow to grow and benefits from an early start
- Onions and leeks can go in a heated propagator if you have one
February
The season quietly begins
- Tomatoes on a warm windowsill or in a propagator, they need 6 to 8 weeks before going out
- Aubergine alongside the tomatoes, they like the same warmth
- Broad beans can go direct into the ground or in pots
- Sweet peas indoors for a beautiful early summer display
March — the busiest month
Sowing season is here
- Courgettes and squash indoors, one seed per pot on its side
- Lettuce and salad leaves in a polytunnel or on a windowsill
- Cabbage, broccoli and kale indoors ready to plant out in May
- Basil needs warmth so keep it inside for now
- Sunflowers and zinnias indoors for an early summer show
- Peas can go direct from mid-March in a sheltered spot
April — things speed up
Direct sowing begins
- Beetroot direct after mid-April once the soil has warmed
- Carrots and parsnips direct into well-prepared beds
- Spinach and Swiss chard are hardy enough to go straight in
- French beans indoors now, ready to plant out in May
- Cucumber on a warm windowsill
- Cosmos, marigolds and cornflowers direct in a sunny spot
May
Plant out and keep sowing
- Courgettes and tomatoes go out after mid-May when frost risk has passed
- Runner beans direct in the ground
- Sweetcorn in blocks of at least four for good pollination
- Basil can finally go outside at the end of the month
- Keep sowing lettuce every two to three weeks for a continuous harvest
June
Keep the momentum going
- Salad leaves and rocket sown every couple of weeks
- Last chance for dwarf French beans direct outside
- Turnips and radishes for a quick summer crop
- Kale and purple sprouting broccoli for autumn and winter
July and August
Think ahead to autumn
- Winter salads like spinach and lamb’s lettuce
- Spring onions in August for an early spring harvest
- Hardy brassicas for autumn and winter picking
- Florence fennel for a late autumn harvest
September and October
Under cover and in the ground
- Winter salads under a polytunnel or cold frame
- Garlic goes in during October for next summer’s harvest
- Overwintering onion sets for an early crop
- Sweet peas sown in autumn flower weeks earlier than spring-sown ones
Find the right seeds for your garden.
Every variety we sell comes from Franchi Sementi, Italy’s oldest seed house. They have been selecting and improving these varieties since 1783. We bring them directly to Irish gardeners.
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