Garden Guide

Garden Guide for Lisbon, Lisbon Metropolitan Area

Lisbon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b and enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Its proximity to the coast keeps temperatures moderate, but summers can be very sunny. Soils are often sandy-loam and well-draining, which is beneficial for many crops.

In Lisbon, Zone 10b, you can garden almost year-round thanks to the practically frost-free climate. Cold-hardy plants like lettuce can be started indoors from February to August and harvested from March to November. Sow radishes from March to October for a harvest from May to October. For heat-loving crops like tomatoes, start them indoors from March to April, transplant them outdoors from May to June, and enjoy harvests from June to October.

Zone 10b Frost-free Mediterranean

There is practically no frost in Lisbon. You can garden year-round, the calendar shows the most reliable growing windows.

Also applies to: Cascais, Sintra, Setúbal, Almada, Oeiras, Loures

Plan your Lisbon garden in the Fryd app

Planting Calendar

When to start indoors, sow outdoors, and harvest in Lisbon. Frost-free climate: the windows are a guide, many crops can be sown beyond them too.

Light Water Nutrients

Start indoors Sowing Harvest

Planting calendar for Lisbon, Zone 10b
Crop	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●●
Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Bean (Runner bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Onion (Spring onion) ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Chard ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
Radishes ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Beetroot ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Aubergine / Eggplant ●●● ●●● ●●●
Chili ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Chives ●●● ●●● ●●○

Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●●

Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Bean (Runner bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Onion (Spring onion) ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Chard ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Radishes ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Beetroot ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Aubergine / Eggplant ●●● ●●● ●●●

Chili ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Chives ●●● ●●● ●●○

Planting Calendar Lisbon

Tomato (Bush tomato): Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato): Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Pepper / Paprika: Start indoors Feb - Mar, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Cucumber / Gherkin: Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Courgette / Zucchini: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Bean (Dwarf bean): Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Bean (Runner bean): Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Basil: Start indoors Mar - Jul, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Garlic: Sowing Sep - Nov, Harvest Jun - Aug (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Onion (Spring onion): Start indoors Jul - Oct, Sowing Sep - Dec (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Onion: Start indoors Jan - Feb, Sowing Mar - Apr, Harvest Jul - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Chard: Start indoors Jan - Apr, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest May - Nov (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Lettuce (Lettuce): Start indoors Feb - Aug, Sowing Mar - Sep, Harvest Mar - Nov (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Radishes: Sowing Mar - Oct, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Carrots: Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest Jun - Nov (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Beetroot: Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing Apr - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Strawberry: Start indoors Feb - Apr, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Aubergine / Eggplant: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jun - Sep (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Chili: Start indoors Jan - Mar, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Chives: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest Apr - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: medium)

Based on Fryd planting data for Zone 10b, 2026.

Companion Planting for Lisbon

Plants that thrive together in Lisbon Metropolitan Area.

Carrots + Tomato (Bush tomato)

Onion + Tomato (Bush tomato)

Carrots + Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato)

Onion + Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato)

Garlic + Pepper / Paprika

Plan companions visually

Drag and drop crops in the Fryd bed planner to see companion matches.

Try Fryd →

Growing Tips for Lisbon

Embrace Year-Round Growing

Many cold-hardy plants like lettuce, Swiss chard, or radishes can be grown almost year-round in Lisbon. Take advantage of the mild winter months for continuous harvests and fresh veg.

Manage Your Watering

Especially during the dry summer months, ensure consistent and adequate watering, as many plants like radishes, cucumbers, or aubergines prefer moist soil. However, always avoid waterlogging.

Choose Sunny Spots

Most vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, onions, and herbs like basil love full sun and warmth. Choose the sunniest spots in your garden or on your balcony for them to achieve optimal yields.

Enrich Your Soil Regularly

Heavy feeders like courgettes, aubergines, or tomatoes benefit from nutrient-rich, humus-filled soils. Before planting, work in compost or organic fertiliser to ensure a good harvest and promote soil health.

Common Pests & Diseases

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Combat Aphids

If you have an aphid infestation, you can spray the plants with a strong stream of water or use a soapy solution (soft soap and water). Beneficial insects like ladybird larvae are natural helpers and should be encouraged.

•

Keep Slugs Away

Protect your young plants from slugs by installing slug fences or setting up beer traps. Regularly remove slugs, especially after rain, to prevent major damage.

•

Prevent Fungal Diseases

Ensure good air circulation between plants and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Remove affected leaves immediately to stop them from spreading.

•

Avoid Root Rot

Ensure well-draining soils and avoid waterlogging, especially for plants sensitive to too much moisture. A drainage layer can be helpful here to keep roots healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to plant tomatoes in Lisbon?

In Lisbon, it's best to start your tomatoes indoors from March to April. Then, you can sow or transplant them outdoors from May to June, and look forward to a bountiful harvest from June to October.

What climate zone is Lisbon in?

Lisbon is in climate zone 10b. This means you'll experience very mild winters here and can grow many plants outdoors year-round without worrying about frost.

Which plants grow particularly well in Lisbon?

Many crops thrive wonderfully in Lisbon, including lettuce, radishes, Swiss chard, and strawberries. Heat-loving plants like tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, and aubergines also feel very much at home here and provide good yields.

Is there frost in Lisbon that could endanger my garden?

No, Lisbon is practically frost-free. You don't have to worry about late frosts and can grow frost-sensitive plants earlier in the year or even year-round, depending on the variety and weather conditions.