Growing Conditions · England
City of London Growing Conditions
Soil, hardiness and a planting calendar for City of London — across 17 postcode districts.
Soil
A heavier, clay-rich soil that holds water through winter and can stay cold and wet into spring. It is fertile and moisture-retentive — good for hungry, thirsty plants and strong summer growth — but rewards raised beds, grit and plenty of organic matter to open it up, and planting is best held back until it dries out. Its winter wetness makes drainage and grading the first question on any lawn, patio or retaining-wall project here.
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 (727mm a year), so established beds still need summer watering and drought-tolerant planting pays off. A typical UK growing season (~330 frost-free days), with the last frosts clearing through spring and first frosts returning in autumn.
Planting Calendar for City of London
Timings are guided by this area's ~330 frost-free days and RHS H4 hardiness; adjust for a cold or sheltered garden.
Conditions by Postcode
| Postcode | Soil | Hardiness | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | — | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC1A | heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC1Y | heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC2A | — | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC2N | — | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC2R | — | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC2V | — | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC2Y | heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC3M | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC3N | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC3V | — | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC4A | — | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC4M | — | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC4N | — | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC4R | heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC4V | — | RHS H4 | 727mm |
| EC4Y | — | RHS H4 | 727mm |
