Garden Guide

Garden Guide for Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a and benefits from a maritime influence, which brings mild winters and cool summers. The soil is often clayey but can vary depending on the location; good drainage and enriching with compost are important. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, which helps maintain consistent moisture.

In Edinburgh, USDA Hardiness Zone 9a, you can start sowing seeds outdoors from early April after the last frost. You can pre-grow (start indoors) lettuce from March to September and harvest from May to November. Sow radishes from April to September for a harvest from June to October, while potatoes can be chitted in April and harvested from July to October. Frost-sensitive plants like tomatoes should only be moved outdoors after early April.

Zone 9a Last frost: Early April First frost: Late November Maritime

Also applies to: Glasgow, Dundee, Perth, Stirling, Falkirk, Aberdeen

Plan your Edinburgh garden in the Fryd app

Planting Calendar

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

Light Water Nutrients

Start indoors Sowing Harvest

Planting calendar for Edinburgh, Zone 9a
Crop	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●●
Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Potato ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Radishes ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Pea ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Beetroot ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Kohlrabi / German turnip / Turnip cabbage ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Pumpkin / Squash ●●● ●●● ●●●
Broccoli ●●● ●●● ●●●
Chard ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●

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

Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●●

Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Potato ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Radishes ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Pea ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Beetroot ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●●

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

Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Pumpkin / Squash ●●● ●●● ●●●

Broccoli ●●● ●●● ●●●

Chard ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Planting Calendar Edinburgh

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

Based on Fryd planting data for Zone 9a, 2026.

Companion Planting for Edinburgh

Plants that thrive together in Scotland.

Lettuce (Lettuce) + Carrots

Chard + Carrots

Lettuce (Lettuce) + Radishes

Onion + Tomato (Bush tomato)

Onion + Tomato (Cocktail bush tomato)

Plan companions visually

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

Try Fryd →

Growing Tips for Edinburgh

Early Start for Lettuce and Chard

Take advantage of starting lettuce and chard from March indoors. This way, you can extend your harvest season and enjoy fresh veggies early in the year. Use fine seed-starting compost and press the seeds in lightly.

Soil Preparation for Root Vegetables

Radishes and carrots prefer humus-rich, loose, and well-draining soil. Good soil preparation is crucial to avoid woody or deformed roots. Loosen the soil deeply and work in compost.

Consistent Moisture is Key

Many plants like radishes, broccoli, and squash need a consistent water supply, especially during growth. If conditions are too dry, radishes can become hot, and brassicas will suffer from stress. Always keep the soil moist, but avoid waterlogging.

Protecting Frost-Sensitive Plants

Although Edinburgh has mild winters, late frosts are possible until early April. Squash, zucchini, beans, and tomatoes are frost-sensitive and should only be planted outdoors after the last frosts. Starting them indoors is highly recommended here.

Common Pests & Diseases

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Slug Infestation

Slugs are a common nuisance in humid climates like Edinburgh, especially for lettuce and young seedlings. Collect them regularly, set up slug barriers, or use iron phosphate-based slug pellets, which are safe for pets and hedgehogs.

•

Aphids on Vegetables

Aphids can infest many vegetable varieties, especially on young shoots. Rinse them off with a strong jet of water or encourage natural predators like ladybugs. A mixture of water and soft soap can also help.

•

Blight on Tomatoes and Potatoes

Blight is a fungal disease that appears in humid summers. Ensure adequate spacing between plants and remove affected leaves immediately. Choose resistant varieties and always water the root area, not the leaves.

•

Cabbage Root Fly on Brassicas

The cabbage root fly lays its eggs at the base of brassica plants like broccoli and kohlrabi. Protect your plants with insect netting or place felt cabbage collars around the stem to prevent egg-laying. Companion planting with celery can also help.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I plant tomatoes in Edinburgh?

Tomatoes are frost-sensitive and should only be planted outdoors in Edinburgh after the last frost, typically from early April. You can start them indoors from April to May, with harvesting then taking place from August to October.

What hardiness zone is Edinburgh in?

Edinburgh is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. This means you can benefit from mild winters, but you should still watch out for late frosts in spring.

Which vegetables grow best in Edinburgh?

Many cold-tolerant vegetables thrive here, including lettuce, chard, radishes, carrots, and potatoes. Broccoli and kohlrabi are also well-suited. Pay attention to the specific planting times for each variety.

When is the last frost in Edinburgh?

The last frost in Edinburgh is typically expected around early April. It's advisable to only plant frost-sensitive plants outdoors after this time to avoid damage.