Growing Conditions · England

Buckinghamshire Growing Conditions

Soil, hardiness and a planting calendar for Buckinghamshire — across 47 postcode districts.

RHS H4 loamy-clay with impeded drainage 738mm rain

Soil

A workable loam-to-clay that drains slowly, so water can pond after heavy rain and roots sit cold in winter. Most shrubs and perennials do well once established; add grit and compost for vegetables, and choose damp-tolerant plants for low spots. Landscaping projects should plan for falls, French drains or soakaways so paving and lawns shed water.

Winter hardiness

Rated RHS H4 — the UK mainstream, with winter lows near -6°C. The vast majority of garden plants, perennials, shrubs and trees come through a normal winter unprotected; only genuinely tender exotics need a warm corner or cover.

Rain & growing season

One of the drier parts of the country (738mm a year), so established beds still need summer watering and drought-tolerant planting pays off. A typical UK growing season (~327 frost-free days), with the last frosts clearing through spring and first frosts returning in autumn.

Planting Calendar for Buckinghamshire

Sow indoors
February–March
Plant out
mid-May
Harvest
June–October

Timings are guided by this area's ~327 frost-free days and RHS H4 hardiness; adjust for a cold or sheltered garden.

Conditions by Postcode

PostcodeSoil HardinessRainfall
HP10 thin, alkaline soil over chalk RHS H4 755mm
HP11 thin, alkaline soil over chalk RHS H4 755mm
HP12 loamy-clay with impeded drainage RHS H4 723mm
HP13 loamy-clay with impeded drainage RHS H4 723mm
HP14 loamy-clay with impeded drainage RHS H4 723mm
HP15 thin, alkaline soil over chalk RHS H4 723mm
HP16 loamy-clay with impeded drainage RHS H4 723mm
HP17 alkaline clay loam with impeded drainage RHS H4 745mm
HP18 heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter RHS H4 745mm
HP19 heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter RHS H4 723mm
HP20 heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter RHS H4 723mm
HP21 heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter RHS H4 723mm
HP22 free-draining alkaline loam RHS H4 723mm
HP23 thin, alkaline soil over chalk RHS H4 723mm
HP27 free-draining alkaline loam RHS H4 723mm
HP4 free-draining, fertile near-neutral loam RHS H4 723mm
HP5 free-draining, fertile near-neutral loam RHS H4 723mm
HP6 loamy-clay with impeded drainage RHS H4 723mm
HP7 fertile floodplain soil with a high water table RHS H4 723mm
HP8 free-draining alkaline loam RHS H4 723mm
HP9 free-draining alkaline loam RHS H4 755mm
LU6 thin, alkaline soil over chalk RHS H4 723mm
LU7 alkaline clay loam with impeded drainage RHS H4 723mm
MK17 loamy-clay with impeded drainage RHS H4 723mm
MK18 loamy-clay with impeded drainage RHS H4 745mm
MK19 alkaline clay loam with impeded drainage RHS H4 723mm
MK2 loamy-clay with impeded drainage RHS H4 723mm
MK3 loamy-clay with impeded drainage RHS H4 723mm
NN12 heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter RHS H4 763mm
NN13 free-draining alkaline loam RHS H4 745mm
OX27 free-draining alkaline loam RHS H4 745mm
OX33 free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' RHS H4 745mm
OX39 free-draining alkaline loam RHS H4 745mm
OX5 fertile loam with a high water table RHS H4 745mm
OX9 light, fast-draining sandy soil RHS H4 745mm
RG9 loamy-clay with impeded drainage RHS H4 776mm
SL0 acid clay loam, seasonally wet RHS H4 755mm
SL1 acid clay loam, seasonally wet RHS H4 755mm
SL2 acid clay loam, seasonally wet RHS H4 755mm
SL3 acid clay loam, seasonally wet RHS H4 755mm
SL6 free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' RHS H4 755mm
SL7 thin, alkaline soil over chalk RHS H4 755mm
SL8 free-draining, fertile near-neutral loam RHS H4 755mm
SL9 free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' RHS H4 755mm
UB8 fertile floodplain soil with a high water table RHS H4 755mm
UB9 — RHS H4 755mm
WD3 free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' RHS H4 723mm

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