Frost Dates in North of England
late May to early June
late September to October
The growing season here
Growing seasons are generally cooler and shorter than farther south, particularly away from sheltered coasts and in the Pennines. Long summer daylight can still favour many crops, but late spring frost and an early autumn chill constrain tender plants. These are broad averages: altitude, exposure, valleys and urban shelter can make neighbouring gardens markedly different.
What it means for sowing & planting out
Start hardy crops early where soil conditions permit, but raise tender crops under cover and give them a careful, gradual hardening-off. Plant tomatoes, beans, courgettes, squash and tender annuals outside only when frost risk has genuinely passed in your plot, often around or after the stated period. Choose quick-maturing varieties, retain fleece for cold nights, and check the Met Office forecast closely.
Tips
Use cloches, fleece, warm walls and sheltered beds to gain useful weeks at either end of the season. Avoid planting tender crops in exposed or low-lying ground too soon. Local experience matters greatly, so compare notes with neighbours or ask a local garden centre.
These are approximate regional averages - frost varies with altitude, frost pockets, coast and aspect. Check the Met Office forecast for your area before acting. Page updated 19 Sep 2026.