Greenly Garden

Sofia: frost dates

Bulgaria

In Sofia the last spring frost usually comes around 12 April and the first autumn frost around 16 November, which leaves about 218 frost-free days (median of 2016–2025). Tomato seedlings can go into open ground around 8 May.

Last spring frostaround 12 April
First autumn frostaround 16 November
Frost-free days218 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

CropSow for seedlingsPlant out in a greenhouseOpen ground
Achocha17 February29 March19 April
Arugula—1 Marchsow 22 March
Basil3 April11 May1 June
Beet—1 Marchsow 22 March
Bell Pepper26 February11 May1 June
Black-eyed Susan16 February—19 April
Bok Choy22 February29 March19 April
Broad bean—1 Marchsow 22 March
Broccoli—1 Marchsow 22 March
Brussels Sprouts15 January1 March22 March
Cabbage—1 Marchsow 22 March
Calendula—1 Marchsow 22 March
Carrot——sow 22 March
Cauliflower18 January1 March22 March
Celeriac11 January29 March19 April
Celery11 January29 March19 April
Celosia11 March25 April16 May
Chamomile—1 Marchsow 22 March
Chayote31 December29 March19 April
Chickpea——sow 22 March
Chili Pepper5 March18 May8 June
China aster20 March11 May1 June
Chives——sow 22 March
Cilantro—1 Marchsow 22 March
Corn—29 Marchsow 19 April
Cosmos11 March25 April16 May
Cucumber30 March11 May1 June
Daikon—1 Marchsow 22 March
Delphinium22 January—22 March
Dill—1 Marchsow 22 March
Eggplant2 March11 May1 June
Florence fennel12 February29 March19 April
Garden sorrel—1 Marchsow 22 March
Green Beans20 February29 March19 April
Hyssop——sow 22 March
Kale—1 Marchsow 22 March
Kiwano16 March17 April8 May
Kohlrabi—1 Marchsow 22 March
Leek21 December1 March22 March
Lemon balm—1 Marchsow 22 March
Lettuce—1 Marchsow 22 March
Lisianthus4 December1 March22 March
Lovage——sow 22 March
Luffa30 March11 May1 June
Marigold15 February29 March19 April
Melon20 March11 May1 June
Microgreens—25 Aprilsow 16 May
Moringa24 March18 May8 June
Mustard greens—1 Marchsow 22 March
Napa cabbage24 February29 March19 April
Nasturtium19 February29 March19 April
Okra30 March11 May1 June
Oregano31 December1 March22 March
Pansy4 January1 March22 March
Parsley—1 Marchsow 22 March
Parsnip——sow 22 March
Peanut4 April11 May1 June
Peas—1 Marchsow 22 March
Petunia9 March11 May1 June
Physalis3 March17 April8 May
Pumpkin11 March17 April8 May
Purple coneflower19 January—22 March
Radish——sow 22 March
Sage11 January1 March22 March
Snapdragon26 December1 March22 March
Spinach—1 Marchsow 22 March
Stevia27 February17 April8 May
Stock—1 Marchsow 22 March
Sunflower—25 Aprilsow 16 May
Sweet Corn—29 Marchsow 19 April
Sweet pea18 January1 March22 March
Sweet William——sow 22 March
Swiss Chard—1 Marchsow 22 March
Thyme—1 Marchsow 22 March
Tomato19 February17 April8 May
Turnip—1 Marchsow 22 March
Watercress—1 Marchsow 22 March
Watermelon9 April11 May1 June
Zinnia13 April18 May8 June
Zucchini16 March17 April8 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.

Planted in autumn

CropPlant around
Bearded Iris17 October
Crocus17 October
Daffodil17 October
Garlic17 October
Hyacinth17 October
Lily17 October
Peony17 October
Saffron17 October
Tulip17 October
Wild garlic17 October

A month before the first autumn frost, so the roots grow before winter.