Garden Guide
Garden Guide for Zurich, Zurich and Surrounding Area
Zurich is located in Hardiness Zone 8a and often benefits from a milder microclimate thanks to Lake Zurich. The soils here are often loamy-humus rich and well-draining, but can vary regionally. The growing season is long, with the last frost around early April and the first frost in mid-November.
In Zurich, Hardiness Zone 8a, you can start sowing frost-sensitive plants from early April after the last frost. You can pre-grow garden lettuce from March to September and harvest it from April to November. Sow radishes from March to September for a harvest from May to October, while tomatoes are pre-grown from March to May and harvested from July to October.
Also applies to: Winterthur, Baden, Zug, Lucerne, Schaffhausen, Rapperswil-Jona
Plan your Zurich garden in the Fryd appPlanting Calendar
When to start indoors, sow outdoors, and harvest in Zurich.
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●● | |
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| Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Potato ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Radishes ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Pea ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Beetroot ●●● ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●● | |
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| Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage ●●● ●●○ ●●○ | |
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| Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○ | |
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| Pumpkin / Squash ●●● ●●● ●●● | |
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| Broccoli ●●● ●●● ●●● | |
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| Common marigold ●●● ●○○ | |
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Planting Calendar Zurich
- Carrots: Sowing Mar - Jul, Harvest Jul - Nov (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Lettuce (Lettuce): Start indoors Mar - Sep, Sowing Mar - Oct, Harvest Apr - Nov (Light: medium, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Cucumber / Gherkin: Start indoors Apr - Jun, Sowing Jun - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Courgette / Zucchini: Start indoors Apr - Jun, Sowing Jun - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
- Pepper / Paprika: Start indoors Mar, Sowing Jun - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Potato: Start indoors Mar - Apr, Sowing Apr - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Radishes: Sowing Mar - Sep, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Tomato (Bush tomato): Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing Jun - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato): Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing Jun - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Onion: Start indoors Jan - Mar, Sowing Mar - May, Harvest Jul - Sep (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Bean (Dwarf bean): Start indoors Apr - May, Sowing Jun - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Pea: Sowing Mar - Jul, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Basil: Start indoors Mar - Jul, Sowing Jun - Aug, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Beetroot: Start indoors Apr, Sowing May - Jul, Harvest Aug - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Strawberry: Start indoors Feb - May, Sowing Apr - Jun, Harvest May - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: high)
- Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing Apr - Jun, Harvest Jun - Oct (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: medium)
- Garlic: Sowing Sep - Nov, Harvest Jun - Aug (Light: high, Water: medium, Nutrients: low)
- Pumpkin / Squash: Start indoors Apr - Jun, Sowing Jun - Jul, Harvest Sep - Oct (Light: high, Water: high, Nutrients: high)
- Broccoli: Start indoors Mar - May, Sowing Jun - Jul, Harvest Jul - Oct (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 8a, 2026.
Companion Planting for Zurich
Plants that thrive together in Zurich and Surrounding Area.
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Lettuce (Lettuce) + Carrots
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Radishes + Carrots
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Lettuce (Lettuce) + Radishes
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Onion + Cucumber / Gherkin
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Garlic + Cucumber / Gherkin
Plan companions visually
Drag and drop crops in the Fryd bed planner to see companion matches.
Try Fryd →Growing Tips for Zurich
Successfully Growing Lettuce
For garden lettuce, start pre-growing from March to September. Lightly press the seeds and barely cover them with soil, as they need light to germinate. Make sure temperatures don't rise above 20-22 °C to prevent bolting.
Harvesting Juicy Radishes
Radishes love humus-rich, loose soil and consistent moisture. If conditions are too dry, the roots can become woody and very spicy. Sow them from March to September for a continuous harvest from May to October.
Chitting Potatoes
Place potatoes in a bright, cool spot (10-15 °C) for 3-4 weeks before planting to chit them. This encourages vigorous growth and an earlier harvest. Avoid overly warm places, as this can cause the sprouts to become long and thin.
Optimal Tomato Care
For Zurich, choose robust and disease-resistant tomato varieties and plant them in a sunny, warm, and sheltered location. Pre-growing from March to May is recommended to extend the harvest season from July to October.
Common Pests & Diseases
Controlling Slugs
Slugs are often a nuisance in Zurich gardens, especially in damp weather. Regularly hand-pick them, use slug fences, or provide habitat for natural predators like hedgehogs and birds.
Naturally Deterring Aphids
If you have an aphid infestation, you can spray plants with a mild soapy solution. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybirds and lacewings by growing insect-friendly plants in your garden.
Preventing Powdery Mildew
To prevent powdery mildew, ensure good air circulation for your plants and choose resistant varieties. Always water plants at the base, not over the leaves, especially in the evening.
Late Blight in Tomatoes
This fungal disease often occurs in damp weather. Plant tomatoes in an airy, sheltered spot and remove lower leaves to prevent contact with the soil. Immediately remove any affected plant parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant tomatoes in Zurich?
You shouldn't plant tomatoes directly outdoors in Zurich until after the last frost, which is typically around early April. Pre-growing takes place from March to May, with transplanting outdoors or into a greenhouse from June onwards, once no more frosts are expected.
What hardiness zone is Zurich in, and what does that mean for my garden?
Zurich is in Hardiness Zone 8a. This means you can expect mild winters and a long growing season. Many cold-hardy plants thrive well, and even heat-loving crops can be successful with pre-growing.
Which vegetables grow particularly well in Zurich?
Many types of vegetables thrive in Zurich. Cold-hardy varieties like lettuce, radishes, carrots, and peas grow especially well. Heat-loving plants such as tomatoes, courgette, and pumpkins are also very productive with the right pre-growing.
When is the last frost expected in Zurich?
The last frost in Zurich is typically expected around early April. It's advisable to only plant frost-sensitive plants outdoors after this time to avoid damage.
