Positioning vegetables

Find the best place for your vegetable plants so that your vegetable growing is more successful


auberginesMost vegetables grow best in a sunny position. If you have a shady spot then you can still grow crops such as endive, lettuce, radicchio, peas and spinach. Others will grow, but probably not to their full potential - especially fruiting crops.

Shelter from cold and strong winds is beneficial - essential for crops such as aubergines and peppers - and will also ensure better crops of vegetables like peas and beans.

Try to choose a position away from large trees and hedges, as these will compete with your vegetables for water and nutrients, as well as casting shade.

Vegetable planner

We have produced a handy vegetable planner to help you decide what to do and when for each crop.

Download the vegetable planner (199kB pdf)


You might also like:
How to grow veg when you're short on space

Gardeners' calendar

Find out what to do this month with our gardeners' calendar

Advice from the RHS

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.