Tool
Succession sowing planner
Sow a little, often. Turn a start date and an interval into a season's list of sowing dates.
Your plan
5 sowings, every 3 weeks
- First sowing
- Interval (weeks)
- Number of sowings
- Sowing 1 — 1 Apr 2027
- Sowing 2 — 22 Apr 2027
- Sowing 3 — 13 May 2027
- Sowing 4 — 3 Jun 2027
- Sowing 5 — 24 Jun 2027
What this calculator does
Instead of one big sowing that matures all at once, many gardeners sow in succession: small batches at regular intervals, so a crop arrives steadily rather than in a glut. This tool takes your first sowing date, an interval in weeks and the number of rounds you want, and lays out the whole season's dates.
When to use it
- Planning salad leaves, radishes and herbs for a steady supply.
- Avoiding a glut of one crop ripening in a single week.
- Fitting sowings around holidays and busy weeks.
How to use it
- Set the first sowing date — after your last frost for tender crops, or earlier for hardy ones.
- Choose an interval. Fast crops like radish and salad are often sown every two to three weeks.
- Pick the number of rounds and copy the dates out.
Worked example
Starting on 1 April and sowing every three weeks for five rounds gives dates in April, late April, mid-May, early June and late June — a salad supply stretching into high summer from one small packet.
Typical intervals
| Crop | Usual interval |
|---|---|
| Radish | Every 2 weeks |
| Salad leaves / lettuce | Every 2–3 weeks |
| Spinach | Every 3 weeks |
| Beetroot | Every 3–4 weeks |
| Carrot | Every 3–4 weeks |
| Bush beans | Every 3–4 weeks |
Intervals lengthen in hot weather and shorten in cool, slow-growing spells. Watch how fast your own crops grow.
Limitations
- It assumes seed and space are available for every round — succession sowing multiplies both.
- Growth is not linear. Late sowings often catch up or overtake early ones as the weather warms.
- Some crops do not suit it. Long-season crops like parsnip or winter brassicas are usually sown once.
Frequently asked questions
Why sow in succession?
To spread the harvest. A single sowing tends to mature all at once, giving a feast then a famine; small regular sowings keep the supply even.
How big should each sowing be?
Only as big as you can eat in one interval. Start small — you can always sow more next round.
Does this work in pots?
Yes, and it is especially useful in small spaces, where a few pots sown at intervals keep a windowsill or patio productive.
Related guides
Sources and research notes
Interval ranges are typical figures from UK vegetable-growing guidance and vary with crop, climate and soil.