Growing Conditions · England

Hackney Growing Conditions

Soil, hardiness and a planting calendar for Hackney — across 11 postcode districts.

RHS H4 heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter 727mm rain

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 Hackney

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

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

PostcodeSoil HardinessRainfall
E15 RHS H4 727mm
E2 RHS H4 727mm
E20 RHS H4 727mm
E5 RHS H4 727mm
E8 RHS H4 727mm
E9 RHS H4 727mm
EC1V heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter RHS H4 727mm
N15 heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter RHS H4 727mm
N16 RHS H4 727mm
N4 RHS H4 727mm
N5 heavy, base-rich clay loam that sits wet in winter RHS H4 727mm