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Garden & homeTwenty easy plants · a sowing calendar

Health that smells like the garden

Garden & home

Herbs on the sill, salad in a window box, beans up a balcony string. Pick a month on the wheel to see what goes in now and what is roughly ready, then keep track of your own pots below.

The sowing calendar

What to sow, and when you'll eat it

For most of the US, roughly zones 5 to 8. Windowsill plants can be started indoors in most months. Tap a month on the wheel or use the arrows.

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECSpringSummerAutumnWinter

November

9 plants

Sow in November

Roughly

Ready to pick in November

Counted from the middle of the sowing month plus the usual days to harvest. Light, warmth and your climate move it by weeks either way.

Seed packets

Twenty easy plants

Light, water, the smallest pot that works, three tips and the plainest way to eat each one.

Where

All 20 plants

  • herb · sow Nov–Jul

    Basil

    Windowsill · Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Keep evenly moist; water when the top inch is dry.
    Container
    8-inch pot, 8 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 35 days to the first harvest
    • Wait until nights stay above 50°F before putting it outside.
    • Pinch off the top pairs of leaves to keep it bushy.
    • Pinch off flower buds as they appear.

    Tear over tomatoes, pasta or eggs just before serving.

    Raw Tomato and Basil Pasta

  • herb · sow Nov–May, Aug–Sep

    Parsley

    Windowsill · Balcony · Garden

    Light
    part shade
    Water
    Keep moist; it dislikes drying out.
    Container
    8-inch pot, 10 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 75 days to the first harvest
    • Seed is slow to sprout; soaking it overnight can help.
    • Cut outer stems first and let the centre keep growing.
    • It is a biennial and may survive a mild winter outdoors.

    Chop into salads, potatoes or soup at the very end.

    Baked Cod with Lemon and Potatoes

  • herb · sow Nov–May, Sep

    Chives

    Windowsill · Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
    Container
    6-inch pot, 6 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 70 days to the first harvest
    • Cut with scissors about 2 inches above the soil.
    • It comes back every year outdoors.
    • The purple flowers are edible.

    Snip onto eggs, soup, baked potatoes or buttered toast.

    Radishes with Butter on Toast

  • herb · sow Nov–May, Sep

    Mint

    Windowsill · Balcony · Garden

    Light
    part shade
    Water
    Keep consistently moist.
    Container
    10-inch pot, 8 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 60 days to the first harvest
    • Grow it in its own pot; it spreads by runners and takes over a bed.
    • Pinch the tips often for fuller growth.
    • Cut back hard once a summer to refresh it.

    Add to peas, citrus salads or hot water.

    Pea and Mint Soup

  • herb · sow Apr–Jun, Aug

    Dill

    Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Water regularly, about once or twice a week.
    Container
    10-inch pot, 12 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 45 days to the first harvest
    • Sow where it will grow; dill dislikes being moved.
    • Make a new sowing every 3 weeks for a steady supply.
    • Shelter it from strong wind, since the stems are slim.

    Stir into yogurt, cucumbers or potatoes.

    Cucumber Dill Yogurt Salad

  • herb · sow Sep–Apr

    Cilantro

    Windowsill · Balcony · Garden

    Light
    part shade
    Water
    Keep evenly moist.
    Container
    8-inch pot, 10 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 45 days to the first harvest
    • It bolts in summer heat, so sow in cool spring and autumn.
    • Sow a small batch every 2 to 3 weeks.
    • Let some go to seed for coriander.

    Chop onto tacos, beans or curry at the end.

    Corn and Black Bean Tacos

  • herb · sow Mar–May

    Thyme

    Windowsill · Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Let the soil dry between waterings.
    Container
    6-inch pot, 6 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 90 days to the first harvest
    • Buying a small plant is quicker than seed.
    • It needs sharp drainage; add sand to the mix.
    • Trim lightly after flowering to keep it compact.

    Strip the leaves into roasted roots and chicken.

    Roast Chicken and Root Vegetables

  • herb · sow Apr–May

    Sage

    Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Water lightly and let it dry between times.
    Container
    10-inch pot, 10 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 90 days to the first harvest
    • A young plant from a nursery is the easy route.
    • Do not harvest heavily in the first year.
    • It likes well-drained soil.

    Fry in butter until crisp and spoon over pasta or squash.

    Squash and Sage Pasta

  • green · sow Nov–May, Aug–Sep

    Lettuce

    Windowsill · Balcony · Garden

    Light
    part shade
    Water
    Water often and lightly; roots are shallow.
    Container
    12-inch pot or window box, 6 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 40 days to the first harvest
    • Choose loose-leaf types and cut outer leaves.
    • Sow a small row every 2 weeks.
    • Afternoon shade stops it turning bitter in warm weather.

    Dress with oil and lemon and eat the day you cut it.

    Butter Lettuce and Herb Salad

  • green · sow Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct

    Spinach

    Balcony · Garden

    Light
    part shade
    Water
    Keep the soil evenly moist.
    Container
    10-inch pot, 8 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 40 days to the first harvest
    • It prefers cool weather and bolts in summer heat.
    • Thin seedlings to 3 inches apart; eat the thinnings.
    • Pick outer leaves and leave the centre.

    Wilt into eggs, soup or pasta in the last minute.

    Spinach and Egg Skillet

  • green · sow Mar–May, Jul–Aug

    Kale

    Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Water deeply once or twice a week.
    Container
    12-inch pot, 12 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 55 days to the first harvest
    • Pick lower leaves first and the plant keeps going.
    • Cold sweetens it; it often lasts into winter.
    • Watch for cabbage worms and check under leaves.

    Slice thin for salads or simmer in soup.

    White Bean and Kale Soup

  • green · sow Sep–May

    Arugula

    Windowsill · Balcony · Garden

    Light
    part shade
    Water
    Keep evenly moist.
    Container
    10-inch pot, 6 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 30 days to the first harvest
    • One of the fastest salad greens.
    • Heat makes it hot-tasting and it flowers; sow in cool seasons.
    • Cut leaves 1 inch above the soil and it regrows.

    Toss with lemon, oil and shaved cheese.

  • root · sow Mar–May, Sep–Oct

    Radishes

    Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Keep evenly moist for even, crisp roots.
    Container
    10-inch pot, 6 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 28 days to the first harvest
    • Sow seed 1/2 inch deep and thin to 1 inch apart.
    • Pull them promptly; big radishes turn woody.
    • Sow every 10 days for a steady supply.

    Slice thin onto buttered bread with salt.

    Radishes with Butter on Toast

  • root · sow Nov–Sep

    Scallions

    Windowsill · Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Water when the top inch is dry.
    Container
    8-inch pot, 8 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 60 days to the first harvest
    • Sow thickly and pull as needed.
    • Store-bought scallion roots regrow in a glass of water on the windowsill.
    • Trim the green tops and they keep growing.

    Slice into eggs, fritters and potatoes.

    Spring Onion Frittata

  • green · sow All year

    Microgreens

    Windowsill

    Light
    bright window
    Water
    Mist daily; keep the soil damp, never soggy.
    Container
    Shallow tray, 1 to 2 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 10 days to the first harvest
    • Use seed sold for sprouting or growing, not treated seed.
    • Cover with a lid for the first 2 days, then give light.
    • Cut with scissors at the base and wash before eating.

    Scatter over eggs, sandwiches or soup.

  • green · sow Mar–Apr, Aug

    Peas

    Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Water regularly; mulch helps keep roots cool.
    Container
    12-inch pot, 12 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 60 days to the first harvest
    • Sow as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring.
    • Give them a trellis or string to climb.
    • Pick pods often to encourage more.

    Shell and cook briefly, or eat the snap peas raw.

    Pea and Mint Soup

  • green · sow May–Jul

    Bush beans

    Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Water deeply once or twice a week.
    Container
    12-inch pot, 12 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 55 days to the first harvest
    • Sow after the last frost, when the soil is warm.
    • Pick every few days so pods stay tender.
    • Avoid working among wet plants to limit disease.

    Boil for 3 minutes and dress with oil and vinegar.

    Green Bean and Potato Salad

  • fruit · sow Apr–May

    Cherry tomatoes

    Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Water deeply and evenly, 1 to 2 inches a week.
    Container
    5-gallon pot, 12 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 80 days to the first harvest
    • Plant out only when nights are above 50°F.
    • Support with a stake or cage.
    • Water at the base and keep leaves dry.

    Halve and toss with salt, oil and basil.

    Pan-Seared Cod with Tomato Salad

  • fruit · sow Mar–May

    Strawberries

    Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Keep moist; water at the base.
    Container
    10-inch pot or hanging basket, 8 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 60 days to the first harvest
    • Start with young plants, not seed.
    • Keep the crown at soil level when planting.
    • Pick only fully red berries.

    Eat them still warm from the sun.

    Strawberry Spinach Salad

  • flower · sow Apr–Jun

    Nasturtium

    Balcony · Garden

    Light
    full sun
    Water
    Water lightly; too much feeding gives leaves but few flowers.
    Container
    10-inch pot, 8 in deep
    Days to harvest
    About 50 days to the first harvest
    • Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep after frost; soak overnight first.
    • Poor soil is fine.
    • Only eat flowers you know are untreated and grown for eating.

    Scatter the peppery petals and leaves over a salad.

    Butter Lettuce and Herb Salad

Kept in this browser

My windowsill

Note what you sowed and when. The list shows a rough first-harvest date and how many days are left.

Add a pot

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Dates are rough: light, warmth and the variety you grow can move them by a week or more. Saved in this browser only.

Home

Eat simpler at home

Eight plain kitchen habits. None of them is a rule; pick one that suits your week and keep it for a while.

Plan my week

  1. Plan before you shop

    Five minutes with a list on Sunday saves three trips to the store and a fridge of things you forgot you bought.

  2. Cook once, eat twice

    Make the soup or the beans in a bigger pot. Tomorrow’s lunch is already done, and the stove stays cold.

  3. Keep washed vegetables in sight

    A bowl of washed carrots, radishes or snap peas at eye level gets eaten. The same vegetables in the bottom drawer often don’t.

  4. A short, honest pantry

    Oil, vinegar, a can of beans, a can of tomatoes, oats, pasta, onions and garlic. With those, supper is never far away.

  5. One simple dish is enough

    A bowl of soup and good bread is a proper supper. Not every night needs three components and a sauce.

  6. Use the vegetable drawer first

    Before you plan new meals, look at what is going soft. Soup, frittata and fried rice take almost anything.

  7. Season at the end

    A squeeze of lemon, a spoon of yogurt or a handful of herbs from the sill wakes up a plain plate more than another ingredient does.

  8. Eat at the table, not over the sink

    Sit down, even for ten minutes. Supper tastes better when you notice it, and the evening slows down with it.

A few honest notes

  • All sowing and harvest dates here are approximate. Light, warmth, the variety and your local climate move them by weeks.
  • For frost dates and planting times where you live, your local cooperative extension office is the best guide.
  • Growing food in the ground near old buildings or roads? Ask your local extension office about a soil test first, or grow in containers with fresh potting mix.
  • Only eat plants and flowers you can identify with certainty and that were grown for eating.
From the shopWindowsill Garden Guide14 plants · step by step · $12