Garden Guide

Garden Guide for Reykjavik, Southwest Iceland

Reykjavik, located in climate zone 7a, experiences mild winters and cool summers, influenced by the Gulf Stream. The soil is often volcanic in origin, which provides good drainage but also requires adjusting for nutrient content. Wind is a common factor, so sheltered spots are beneficial.

In Reykjavik, climate zone 7a, the frost-free period typically begins in early May and ends in early October. You can sow lettuce from May to September and harvest from May to October. Radishes are best sown from April to August, with harvest from June to September. Plant potatoes from March to June and harvest them from June to October.

Zone 7a Last frost: Early May First frost: Early October maritime

Also applies to: Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Garðabær, Mosfellsbær, Akranes

Plan your Reykjavik garden in the Fryd app

Planting Calendar

When to start indoors, sow outdoors, and harvest in Reykjavik.

Light Water Nutrients

Start indoors Sowing Harvest

Planting calendar for Reykjavik, Zone 7a
Crop	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●●
Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Potato ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Radishes ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Pea ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Beetroot ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Pumpkin / Squash ●●● ●●● ●●●
Broccoli ●●● ●●● ●●●
Common marigold ●●● ●○○

Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●●

Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Potato ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Radishes ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●

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

Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Pea ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Beetroot ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Pumpkin / Squash ●●● ●●● ●●●

Broccoli ●●● ●●● ●●●

Common marigold ●●● ●○○

Planting Calendar Reykjavik

Carrots: Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Aug - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Lettuce (Lettuce): Start indoors Apr - Oct, Sowing May - Sep, Harvest May - Oct (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Cucumber / Gherkin: Start indoors Jun - Jul, Sowing Jul, Harvest Aug (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Courgette / Zucchini: Start indoors May - Jul, Sowing Jul, Harvest Aug - Sep (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Pepper / Paprika: Start indoors Feb - Mar, Sowing May - Jun, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Potato: Start indoors Mar, Sowing Mar - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Radishes: Sowing Apr - Aug, Harvest Jun - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Tomato (Bush tomato): Start indoors Apr - Jun, Sowing Jul, Harvest Aug - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato): Start indoors Apr - Jun, Sowing Jul, Harvest Aug - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Onion: Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing Apr - May (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Bean (Dwarf bean): Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Pea: Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jul - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Basil: Start indoors May - Aug, Sowing Jul - Aug, Harvest Jul - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Beetroot: Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing Apr - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Strawberry: Start indoors Mar - Jun, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jun - Aug (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage: Start indoors Apr - Jul, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Jul - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
Garlic: Sowing Sep - Nov, Harvest Jun - Aug (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
Pumpkin / Squash: Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Aug - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Broccoli: Start indoors Apr - Jun, Sowing Jul, Harvest Aug - Sep (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
Common marigold: Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing Apr - Aug, Harvest Jun - Nov (Light: high, Nutrients: low)

Based on Fryd planting data for Zone 7a, 2026.

Companion Planting for Reykjavik

Plants that thrive together in Southwest Iceland.

Lettuce (Lettuce) + Carrots

Radishes + Carrots

Lettuce (Lettuce) + Radishes

Onion + Cucumber / Gherkin

Garlic + Cucumber / Gherkin

Plan companions visually

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

Try Fryd →

Growing Tips for Reykjavik

Start Seeds Indoors for a Head Start

Many plants, like lettuce (starting February/March) or onions (March to April), benefit from being started indoors. This protects delicate seedlings from cool spring temperatures and extends the growing season.

Soil Care is Crucial

Ensure loose, humus-rich, and well-draining soil, especially important for radishes and garlic. Good soil preparation prevents waterlogging and promotes healthy root growth.

Ensure Consistent Moisture

Many crops like carrots, potatoes, and kohlrabi require a constant water supply. Make sure the soil is always moist but not waterlogged to ensure optimal yields and quality.

Utilise Sunny Spots

Most vegetables, including carrots, onions, and potatoes, prefer a full-sun location. Choose the brightest and warmest spots in your garden for these plants to maximise their growth.

Common Pests & Diseases

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Naturally Combat Slugs

Slugs can be a nuisance in humid climates like Reykjavik. Regularly pick them off, use slug fences, or attract them with beer traps to protect your plants.

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Keep Aphids in Check

If you have an aphid infestation, you can spray plants with a strong stream of water or use a soapy solution (soft soap and water). Beneficial insects like ladybirds are natural predators.

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Strengthen Plants for Resilience

Healthy, strong plants are less susceptible to diseases and pests. Ensure optimal growing conditions, balanced nutrient supply, and adequate watering to promote the resilience of your crops.

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Practise Crop Rotation

To avoid the build-up of specific pests and diseases in the soil, rotate the planting location of your crops annually. This helps keep the soil healthy and secures yields in the long term.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I plant tomatoes in Reykjavik?

Tomatoes are sensitive to frost. You should start them indoors in Reykjavik from April to June and only plant them outdoors or in a greenhouse after the last frosts, typically from early May. Harvest then takes place from August to September.

What climate zone is Reykjavik in?

Reykjavik is in climate zone 7a. This means you can expect mild winters and cool summers, which allows for the cultivation of many robust vegetable varieties.

Which vegetables grow best in Reykjavik?

Cold-hardy varieties like lettuce, radishes, carrots, onions, and potatoes are well-suited. Kohlrabi and broccoli also thrive here if they receive sufficient water and nutrients.

When is the last frost in Reykjavik?

The last frost in Reykjavik is typically in early May. After that, you can plant frost-sensitive plants outdoors.