Garden Guide

Garden Guide for Madrid, Madrid Region & Central Spain

Madrid is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters. The soil is often calcareous (lime-rich) and can vary from loamy to sandy depending on the location, requiring good drainage. Make sure to provide adequate watering, especially during the dry months.

In Madrid, Zone 9a, you can start sowing after the last frost, typically in late March. You can sow garden lettuce from April to September and harvest it from April to November. It's best to start tomatoes indoors from March to April and harvest them from July to October. Radishes are ready for sowing from April to September and can be harvested starting in June.

Zone 9a Last frost: Late March First frost: Early December Mediterranean

Also applies to: Toledo, Guadalajara, Segovia, Ávila, Aranjuez, Alcalá de Henares

Plan your Madrid garden in the Fryd app

Planting Calendar

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

Light Water Nutrients

Start indoors Sowing Harvest

Planting calendar for Madrid, Zone 9a
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 ●●● ●●● ●●●
Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Bean (Runner bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Pea ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Potato ●●● ●●○ ●●●
Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Onion (Spring onion) ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Radishes ●●● ●●○ ●○○
Beetroot ●●● ●●○ ●●○
Chard ●●○ ●●○ ●●○
Spinach (Summer) ●○○ ●●● ●●○

Tomato (Bush tomato) ●●● ●●○ ●●●

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

Pepper / Paprika ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Cucumber / Gherkin ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Courgette / Zucchini ●●● ●●● ●●●

Carrots ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Lettuce (Lettuce) ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Strawberry ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Garlic ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Basil ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Bean (Dwarf bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Bean (Runner bean) ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Pea ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Potato ●●● ●●○ ●●●

Onion ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Onion (Spring onion) ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Radishes ●●● ●●○ ●○○

Beetroot ●●● ●●○ ●●○

Chard ●●○ ●●○ ●●○

Spinach (Summer) ●○○ ●●● ●●○

Planting Calendar Madrid

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

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

Companion Planting for Madrid

Plants that thrive together in Madrid Region & Central Spain.

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 Madrid

Make the Most of Starting Indoors

Many plants, like garden lettuce (March to August) and Swiss chard (February to April), benefit from being started indoors. This protects young seedlings from temperature fluctuations and extends your harvest season.

Ensure Consistent Watering

Due to the dry summers, a consistent water supply is crucial, especially for plants like radishes, which can become woody if they dry out. Be sure to avoid waterlogging, but keep the soil moist.

Choose Your Spot Wisely

Many vegetables like onions, garlic, and tomatoes love a full-sun and warm spot. For frost-sensitive plants like zucchini and cucumbers, choose a sheltered, wind-protected location.

Prepare Your Soil

Loose, humus-rich, and well-draining soil is the foundation for healthy plants. Radishes and onions, in particular, prefer these conditions to thrive optimally.

Common Pests & Diseases

•

Combat Aphids

If you have an aphid infestation, you can spray the plants with a strong stream of water or use a soapy solution. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs, which love to munch on aphids.

•

Keep Slugs Away

Protect your young plants from slugs by installing slug barriers or fences. Regularly pick off slugs, especially after rain or in the evening.

•

Prevent Fungal Diseases

Ensure good air circulation between plants and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Remove affected plant parts immediately.

•

Control Whiteflies

If you have a whitefly infestation, yellow sticky traps can help attract the pests. Spray the undersides of leaves with neem oil or a mild soapy solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Madrid?

You should start tomatoes indoors from March to April. Transplanting/sowing outdoors then happens in June, and you can expect to harvest from July to October.

What hardiness zone is Madrid in?

Madrid is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. This means you can expect mild winters and hot, dry summers, which favors certain plants.

Which vegetables grow best in Madrid?

Many Mediterranean plants thrive here. These include garden lettuce (April-November), radishes (June-November), carrots (July-November), and tomatoes (July-October). Zucchini and cucumbers are also great choices.

When is the last frost in Madrid?

The last frost in Madrid is typically expected in late March. After that, you can plant frost-sensitive plants outdoors.