When is the last frost in the UK?

Last frost dates vary across the UK. Southern England: mid-April. Midlands and Wales: late April to early May. Northern England and Scotland: mid to late May. Sheltered urban gardens may be 1-2 weeks earlier than surrounding countryside.

How do I find my local frost dates?

Check Met Office historical data for your nearest weather station, or ask local allotment holders. As a rough guide: mild coastal areas see last frosts in late March, while upland areas may see frost into June.

What are heat-loving crops?

Tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, aubergines, and beans are heat-loving crops that are damaged by frost. These should not be planted out until all risk of frost has passed, and benefit from an extra 2-week buffer of warm weather to establish.

Can I extend the growing season?

Yes. Use cloches, fleece, cold frames, or polytunnels to start earlier and finish later. These can effectively move your frost dates by 2-4 weeks. Starting seeds indoors also gives crops a head start.

GardenCalcs.uk

Frost Date Planner — Planting Calendar by Frost Dates

Plan your planting calendar based on your local last and first frost dates.

Last Frost — Month

Month of your last spring frost (1-12). S England ~Apr, N England/Scotland ~May

Last Frost — Day

Day of the month (1-31); extra days are clamped to the month length

First Frost — Month

Month of your first autumn frost (1-12). Typically Oct-Nov in most of the UK

First Frost — Day

Day of the month (1-31); extra days are clamped to the month length

CropPick a crop to see its sow, transplant and harvest dates

How We Calculate This

This calculator works backwards from your last frost date to determine when to start seeds indoors, and forwards to plan direct sowing, transplanting, and expected harvests.

Key timings

Indoor sow: Weeks before last frost (varies by crop)
Direct sow: Weeks after last frost for outdoor sowing
Transplant: Weeks after last frost to move seedlings out
Harvest: Days from transplant to first harvest

Heat-loving crops get an extra buffer period after the last frost to ensure warm enough conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Crop Yield Calculator

Estimate harvest yields for common vegetables based on growing area.

Raised Bed Vegetable Calculator

Plan what to grow in a raised bed with spacing and yield estimates.

Allotment Planner Calculator

Plan crop rotations and plot layouts for allotment gardening.

Sweetcorn Block Calculator

Plan sweetcorn block planting for proper wind pollination.

Garden Bed Rotation Planner

Plan crop rotation across garden beds to maintain soil health and reduce disease.

Was this calculator helpful?

Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard gardening guidelines. Results may vary with soil conditions, climate, and plant varieties.