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Sowing calendar for Italian leaves in the UK
Use this calendar as a guide for a typical UK year. Adjust for your region, your soil and the weather each season.
At a glance (from RHS guidance)
| Crop | Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Rocket | Outdoors April to early September (about a month more at each end under cloches or fleece); indoors February and March, or August and September for winter | From four to six weeks after sowing |
| Radicchio and non-forcing chicory | Indoors April and May, or outdoors June and July | Late summer to mid-autumn |
| Forcing chicory | Outdoors May and June | Roots lifted November; chicons winter and early spring |
| Cavolo nero (kale) | Indoors from March; outdoors March to June | September onwards through winter and spring |
| Basil | Indoors March to July; outdoors only in early summer in warm places | Summer into autumn |
| Parsley | Outdoors mid-spring to late summer; indoors from early spring | Late spring to autumn; winter under cover |
These months come from the RHS pages linked below. The RHS sowing windows are for the UK as a whole, so adjust for your region and weather.
Month by month
February and March
Sow rocket indoors for early leaves. Start kale and basil indoors from March, and parsley indoors from early spring. Prepare beds.
April and May
Sow rocket outdoors. Sow non-forcing chicory and radicchio indoors, and forcing chicory outdoors from May. Sow kale outdoors from March to June. Keep fleece to hand for late frosts.
June and July
Sow radicchio and non-forcing chicory outdoors, and a last batch of basil indoors. Plant out kale and basil seedlings in early summer once frost has passed, after hardening off. Sow parsley in small batches.
August and September
Sow rocket for autumn and under cover for winter. Sow late parsley before the end of summer. Harvest the first radicchio heads and begin picking kale from September.
October to January
Harvest radicchio and chicory heads before the first frosts or under cloches. Lift forcing chicory roots in November. Keep picking kale lower leaves.
Winter and early spring
Harvest forced chicons, pick kale, and plan next year's sowings.
Succession sowing
Sow rocket, parsley and basil in small batches every few weeks for a steady supply.
Regional differences
Expect to sow a little earlier in mild southern and western areas and later in the north and in cold, exposed places. Cold, wet soil rots seed, so wait if the ground is soggy.
Crop detail: rocket, radicchio and chicory, cavolo nero, basil and parsley.
Keeping a sowing diary
Write down what you sowed, when, and how it did. After one season you will know your own conditions better than any chart. Note the date of the last frost and the first frost in your garden, as these are the best personal markers for planting out basil and protecting autumn crops.
Using covers
Cloches, fleece and cold frames stretch the seasons at both ends. The RHS notes that covers give about a month more for outdoor rocket sowings. They also protect autumn radicchio and chicory heads from the first frosts. Ventilate covers on sunny days so seedlings do not scorch or rot.
What to do in a bad year
If a cold spring delays sowing, sow later rather than into cold, wet soil. If hot weather makes plants bolt, replace them with a fresh sowing and give the next lot some shade.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to sow radicchio?
The RHS suggests indoors in April and May or outdoors in June and July for non-forcing types. Avoid sowing too early outdoors.
Can I grow rocket for most of the year?
Nearly. Sow outdoors April to early September, longer under cloches, and indoors in late winter and again in late summer.
When is kale ready?
From September onwards, cropping through winter and spring.