Alicante sowing and planting calendar
There is no single date for the whole province. Use this calendar to structure decisions, then adjust for coast, altitude, soil, frost, species and irrigation.
The broad rule
For trees, shrubs and Mediterranean perennials, autumn often combines warm soil with time to root before summer. Late winter and early spring offer another window, especially in frost-prone places or for cold-sensitive plants. Avoid heatwave planting unless necessary and supported by carefully managed irrigation.
Autumn
Often good for hardy woody and Mediterranean plants once peak heat has passed. Check drainage before intense rain.
Winter
Can suit dormant deciduous trees and shrubs. Protect cold-sensitive stock inland and avoid saturated ground.
Spring
Useful for frost-sensitive plants and completing schemes, leaving enough establishment time before summer.
Summer
Focus on maintenance, temporary shade and irrigation checks. If planting is unavoidable, protect the root ball and monitor closely.
Plan by task
Before buying, establish sun hours, drainage, wind, mature size and actual irrigation flow. Plant at the root ball's existing level, water to settle soil and avoid strong fertiliser against new roots. During the first summer, check below the dry surface and inspect blocked emitters.
See our heat-resistant plant guide and Alicante garden-centre rankings.
Plan by plant type
| Plant | Window to consider | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean trees and shrubs | Autumn or another mild period. | Drainage and available establishment watering. |
| Dormant deciduous stock | Dormant season, avoiding frozen or waterlogged soil. | Whether it is container-grown or bare-root. |
| Cold-sensitive plants | After the local frost-risk period. | Night temperatures and wind exposure. |
| Seasonal bedding | Depends on whether it is a cool- or warm-season variety. | Ask about the exact cultivar. |
These are starting points, not fixed dates for every municipality. A sheltered coastal plot may behave differently from an inland site. Terraces also dry out differently from open ground.
Before planting and during the first season
Photograph the area at its sunniest time of day. Check drainage, note exposure to wind or salt, measure available space at mature size and decide who will inspect irrigation during establishment. Keep the root ball at the appropriate planting level and check moisture below the surface rather than judging by a dry top layer alone.
After planting, review drip emitters and adjust watering to the actual weather. A wet spell and a hot, windy spell should not automatically receive the same schedule. For species that may be frost-sensitive, consider local forecasts before choosing a planting date.
Common questions
Autumn or spring?
Autumn gives many hardy plants time to establish before summer; spring may be preferable for species sensitive to local winter temperatures.
Can container-grown trees be planted at any time?
Containers help with handling, but do not remove transplant stress or the risks of extreme heat and cold.
See Alicante garden centres and Elche nurseries for local options.
A month-by-month task calendar for Alicante
This table organises garden decisions rather than setting compulsory dates or replacing species-specific advice. Adjust tasks to forecasts, altitude and exposure.
| Period | Task to consider | Condition to check |
|---|---|---|
| January–February | Check drainage and plan purchases. Consider dormant deciduous stock. | Avoid frozen or waterlogged ground and check the plant’s sale format. |
| March–April | Consider new planting during mild conditions. | Tender plants need the local frost-risk period to have passed. |
| May–June | Check watering and aftercare availability before adding plants. | Late planting leaves less establishment time before summer heat. |
| July–August | Focus on garden monitoring and planning the next season. | Avoid new planting during extreme heat. |
| September–October | Assess the ground and consider autumn planting once heat eases. | September may still be hot: actual weather matters more than the month. |
| November–December | Consider hardy woody plants and prepare winter purchases. | Check cold, rainfall and drainage; protect tender species as appropriate. |
Sowing, planting and transplanting: choose the right calendar
Sowing starts with seeds; planting or transplanting may involve seedlings, container-grown trees or bare-root stock. Their timing and care differ. A tree-planting calendar does not determine when to sow vegetables.
If you need a vegetable sowing calendar
Start with the seed packet’s species and cultivar: check whether it needs modules or direct sowing, germination temperature and spacing. Lettuce, radishes, carrots and chard can be considered for successive sowings, depending on variety and conditions. Some broad bean cultivars allow autumn sowing in mild, sheltered locations. British calendar dates should not be transferred automatically to Alicante.
The RHS vegetable seed-sowing guide explains the methods. For local timing, check the packet or seedlings with a supplier familiar with your area. Before buying, ask which cultivar is supplied and how it has been raised.
What changes on a terrace or in containers
Aspect and container volume affect exposure and water reserves. Before sowing, check light, drainage and whether watering can be monitored while you are away. Start with a few containers to understand their behaviour before expanding. Open-ground dates do not guarantee the same result on a terrace with a sunny wall or wind.
RHS: broad bean growing and sowing conditions
What to ask when buying seeds or seedlings
- What species and cultivar is it, and what is its mature size?
- Does it need direct sowing or a seed tray?
- Which exposure and space does it need?
- When should the seedling move to its final position in my area?
Sources
Guide reviewed 5 October 2026. The task calendar is editorial guidance; horticultural sources are not a local sowing calendar. Confirm timing for the exact plant and microclimate.