Growing Conditions · England
Cornwall Growing Conditions
Soil, hardiness and a planting calendar for Cornwall — across 40 postcode districts.
Soil
The soil most gardeners wish for: a free-draining, slightly acid loam that warms early in spring and rarely waterlogs. It suits the widest range of planting — vegetables, perennials, shrubs and trees — and asks little beyond an annual mulch to keep its structure. Because it drains freely it can dry in a hot summer, so new plants, pots and lawns benefit from steady watering through July and August. For patios, paths and walls its stability makes for straightforward foundations.
Winter hardiness
A mild area rated RHS H3 — winters usually bottom out around -2°C. Most hardy plants are safe, and you can grow half-hardy exotics that fail further north, but the occasional hard frost means tender plants still want a sheltered wall or winter fleece.
Rain & growing season
A wet climate (1212mm a year): plants rarely go thirsty, but lean on good drainage, disease-resistant varieties and falls that shed water off paving and lawns. A long growing season (~365 frost-free days) — you can sow earlier and harvest later than most of the country, and squeeze in a second late sowing.
Planting Calendar for Cornwall
The long season allows a second sowing of quick crops in July.
Timings are guided by this area's ~365 frost-free days and RHS H3 hardiness; adjust for a cold or sheltered garden.
Conditions by Postcode
| Postcode | Soil | Hardiness | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| EX22 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1278mm |
| EX23 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1278mm |
| PL10 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1263mm |
| PL11 | shallow, free-draining acid loam over rock | RHS H3 | 1263mm |
| PL12 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1263mm |
| PL14 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1263mm |
| PL15 | free-draining, fertile near-neutral loam | RHS H3 | 1278mm |
| PL17 | acid clay loam, seasonally wet | RHS H3 | 1263mm |
| PL18 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1263mm |
| PL22 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| PL23 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| PL24 | shallow, free-draining acid loam over rock | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| PL25 | shallow, free-draining acid loam over rock | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| PL26 | shallow, free-draining acid loam over rock | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| PL27 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| PL29 | shallow, free-draining acid loam over rock | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| PL30 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| PL31 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| PL35 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1279mm |
| TR1 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR10 | shallow, free-draining acid loam over rock | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR11 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR12 | acid clay loam, seasonally wet | RHS H3 | 1119mm |
| TR13 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1119mm |
| TR14 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR15 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR16 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR18 | shallow, free-draining acid loam over rock | RHS H3 | 1090mm |
| TR19 | shallow, free-draining acid loam over rock | RHS H3 | 1090mm |
| TR2 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR20 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1205mm |
| TR21 | shallow, free-draining acid loam over rock | RHS H3 | 1054mm |
| TR26 | free-draining, fertile near-neutral loam | RHS H3 | 1205mm |
| TR27 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1205mm |
| TR3 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR4 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR5 | shallow, free-draining acid loam over rock | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR6 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR7 | shallow, free-draining acid loam over rock | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
| TR8 | free-draining acid loam — the classic 'good garden soil' | RHS H3 | 1213mm |
Planning work in Cornwall?
Browse Companies House-registered landscaping businesses in the area.
