Planting spring bulbs in autumn
When, where and how deep to plant daffodils, tulips, alliums, crocus and snowdrops, with tips for pots and naturalising.
Plants, supplies and growing advice for UK gardens
Seasonal gardening
Seasonal gardening
What To Do, Month By Month
A practical UK calendar for sowing, planting, pruning and protecting. Timings are typical for England and Wales; plant a couple of weeks later in colder regions and earlier in mild coastal gardens.
It is November. We have opened the Autumn tab for you.
Spring
Spring is for sowing, dividing and getting plants ready to grow. Soils warm slowly, so patience with tender plants pays off.
March
- Sow hardy annuals, sweet peas and tomatoes indoors.
- Plant first early potatoes and shallots; divide congested perennials.
- Prune dogwood and willow stems hard for colourful new growth.
- Mulch borders while the soil is damp.
April
- Harden off seedlings gradually; keep fleece handy for frost.
- Sow carrots, beetroot and peas outdoors.
- Plant lily bulbs and dahlia tubers in pots under cover.
- Prune forsythia and other spring-flowering shrubs after flowering.
May
- Plant out tender bedding and dahlias once the frost risk has passed.
- Sow runner beans and sweetcorn; stake tall perennials.
- Water new plantings and watch for slugs.
- Pinch out sweet pea tips and tie them in.
Summer
Water, feed and keep on top of deadheading while enjoying the borders at their peak. Plan ahead for autumn colour.
June
- Feed tomatoes weekly and pinch out side shoots.
- Deadhead roses and perennials to prolong flowering.
- Sow biennials such as foxgloves and wallflowers.
- Water containers daily in dry spells.
July
- Shear hardy geraniums and catmint after the first flush for a second flowering.
- Take softwood cuttings of tender perennials.
- Summer-prune wisteria; harvest summer fruit.
- Check for lily beetle and vine weevil.
August
- Trim lavender lightly after flowering and clip formal hedges once nesting is over.
- Collect seed from favourite plants.
- Order spring bulbs and sow winter salads.
- Pinch out outdoor tomato tops so fruit can ripen.
Autumn
The best planting season for most shrubs, trees, hedges and bulbs: warm soil, cooler air and rain on the way.
September
- Plant daffodils, crocus and alliums.
- Scarify and overseed lawns; divide perennials while the soil is warm.
- Harvest apples and pears; take pelargonium cuttings.
- Plant evergreen shrubs and hedges while the soil is warm.
October
- Collect fallen leaves for leaf mould.
- Plant wallflowers, winter pansies and garlic; sow broad beans.
- Cut back finished perennials, leaving seedheads for wildlife.
- Tidy and clean the greenhouse and pots.
November This month
- Plant tulips and bare-root hedging, fruit trees and roses from now until March.
- Wrap pots and fleece tender plants before hard frosts.
- Mulch borders and clear leaves from lawns and ponds.
- Clean and oil tools; plant rhubarb crowns.
Winter
Plan, protect and prune dormant plants. Bare-root planting continues whenever the soil is not frozen or waterlogged.
December
- Check stored tubers and protect pots from frost.
- Prune apple and pear trees in dry weather.
- Brush heavy snow from evergreens and hedges.
- Plan next year's planting and order seed.
January
- Prune dormant apple and pear trees on dry days.
- Plant bare-root trees, hedging and fruit while the soil is not frozen or waterlogged.
- Chit early potatoes on a bright, frost-free windowsill from late January.
- Feed garden birds and keep water ice-free.
February
- Prune group 3 clematis hard and cut back ornamental grasses before new growth starts.
- Plant snowdrops "in the green" as flowering finishes.
- Sow chillies and aubergines indoors with gentle heat.
- Cut back hellebore leaves to show off the flowers.
Planting calendar
When To Plant What
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Bare-root hedging, trees & fruitNovember to March while dormantYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
Container-grown shrubs & treesBest in autumn and spring; any time if wateredNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNo
Hardy perennialsSpring and early autumnNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoYesYesNoNo
Daffodils, crocus & alliumsSeptember to NovemberNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNo
TulipsLate October to DecemberNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYes
Snowdrops "in the green"February to MarchNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Tender plants, dahlias & beansAfter the last frostNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Tomatoes: sow, then plant outSow March to April, plant out late May to JuneNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Times are typical for the UK and vary by region and weather; plant later in colder areas. The current month is outlined.
Seasonal reading
Guides For This Time Of Year
Planting a bare-root hedge, step by step
When and how to plant bare-root hedging between November and March, with spacing, aftercare and pruning advice.
Plants that thrive on heavy clay soil
How to plant, mulch and choose perennials, shrubs and hedging that cope with heavy clay, wet winters and summer cracking.
Planning ahead?
Ask us what to plant now, what to order for next season and what is currently available.