GreenlyCologne: frost dates
Germany
In Cologne the last spring frost usually comes around 6 April and the first autumn frost around 20 November, which leaves about 228 frost-free days (median of 2016–2025). Tomato seedlings can go into open ground around 12 May.
| Last spring frost | around 6 April |
|---|---|
| First autumn frost | around 20 November |
| Frost-free days | 228 days |
Median of 2016–2025 for the 25 km grid cell of the city: the last day at or below 0 °C in spring and the first in autumn (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo). In a cold year a frost can come a week or two later — Greenly warns 48 hours ahead.
When to sow and plant
| Crop | Sow for seedlings | Plant out in a greenhouse | Open ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achocha | 11 February | 23 March | 13 April |
| Arugula | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Basil | 5 April | 13 May | 3 June |
| Beet | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Bell Pepper | 28 February | 13 May | 3 June |
| Black-eyed Susan | 10 February | — | 13 April |
| Bok Choy | 16 February | 23 March | 13 April |
| Broad bean | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Broccoli | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Brussels Sprouts | 9 January | 23 February | 16 March |
| Cabbage | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Calendula | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Carrot | — | — | sow 16 March |
| Cauliflower | 12 January | 23 February | 16 March |
| Celeriac | 5 January | 23 March | 13 April |
| Celery | 5 January | 23 March | 13 April |
| Celosia | 11 March | 25 April | 16 May |
| Chamomile | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Chayote | 28 December | 26 March | 16 April |
| Chickpea | — | — | sow 16 March |
| Chili Pepper | 14 March | 27 May | 17 June |
| China aster | 22 March | 13 May | 3 June |
| Chives | — | — | sow 16 March |
| Cilantro | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Corn | — | 26 March | sow 16 April |
| Cosmos | 11 March | 25 April | 16 May |
| Cucumber | 1 April | 13 May | 3 June |
| Daikon | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Delphinium | 16 January | — | 16 March |
| Dill | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Eggplant | 4 March | 13 May | 3 June |
| Florence fennel | 6 February | 23 March | 13 April |
| Garden sorrel | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Green Beans | 17 February | 26 March | 16 April |
| Hyssop | — | — | sow 16 March |
| Kale | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Kiwano | 20 March | 21 April | 12 May |
| Kohlrabi | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Leek | 15 December | 23 February | 16 March |
| Lemon balm | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Lettuce | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Lisianthus | 28 November | 23 February | 16 March |
| Lovage | — | — | sow 16 March |
| Luffa | 1 April | 13 May | 3 June |
| Marigold | 9 February | 23 March | 13 April |
| Melon | 22 March | 13 May | 3 June |
| Microgreens | — | 25 April | sow 16 May |
| Moringa | 2 April | 27 May | 17 June |
| Mustard greens | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Napa cabbage | 18 February | 23 March | 13 April |
| Nasturtium | 13 February | 23 March | 13 April |
| Okra | 1 April | 13 May | 3 June |
| Oregano | 25 December | 23 February | 16 March |
| Pansy | 29 December | 23 February | 16 March |
| Parsley | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Parsnip | — | — | sow 16 March |
| Peanut | 6 April | 13 May | 3 June |
| Peas | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Petunia | 11 March | 13 May | 3 June |
| Physalis | 7 March | 21 April | 12 May |
| Pumpkin | 15 March | 21 April | 12 May |
| Purple coneflower | 13 January | — | 16 March |
| Radish | — | — | sow 16 March |
| Sage | 5 January | 23 February | 16 March |
| Snapdragon | 20 December | 23 February | 16 March |
| Spinach | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Stevia | 3 March | 21 April | 12 May |
| Stock | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Sunflower | — | 25 April | sow 16 May |
| Sweet Corn | — | 26 March | sow 16 April |
| Sweet pea | 12 January | 23 February | 16 March |
| Sweet William | — | — | sow 16 March |
| Swiss Chard | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Thyme | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Tomato | 23 February | 21 April | 12 May |
| Turnip | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Watercress | — | 23 February | sow 16 March |
| Watermelon | 11 April | 13 May | 3 June |
| Zinnia | 22 April | 27 May | 17 June |
| Zucchini | 20 March | 21 April | 12 May |
Planting out: a week after the last frost once the soil is warm enough for the crop; frost-hardy crops three weeks before it; an unheated greenhouse three weeks earlier. Seedlings are sown so they are ready on that day.
Cologne: weather for the next 7 days
Forecast by Open-Meteo. Nights at or below 0 °C are marked as frost.
Planted in autumn
| Crop | Plant around |
|---|---|
| Bearded Iris | 21 October |
| Crocus | 21 October |
| Daffodil | 21 October |
| Garlic | 21 October |
| Hyacinth | 21 October |
| Lily | 21 October |
| Peony | 21 October |
| Saffron | 21 October |
| Tulip | 21 October |
| Wild garlic | 21 October |
A month before the first autumn frost, so the roots grow before winter.