This January get your veg growing season of to a flying start.

This January get your veg growing season of to a flying start.


January may be one of the coldest months of the year in the UK, but it’s still a great time to sow certain vegetables. With the right setup and care, you can get a head start on your gardening season. Here’s a guide to what you can sow this month and the conditions required to ensure success. 

 

Indoors or on a Windowsill 

Many vegetables can be started indoors in January, where they’ll benefit from a warmer, controlled environment. Use seed trays or pots filled with a well-draining peat free compost for best results. 

1. Chillies and Sweet Peppers 

  • Why sow now? These crops have a long growing season, so an early start is key. 

  • Requirements: Place them in a propagator or on a warm windowsill at 18-21°C. Ensure good light levels to prevent leggy growth. 

  • Tip: Use a grow light if natural light is insufficient. 

2. Aubergines 

  • Why sow now? Like peppers, aubergines need a long growing season. 

  • Requirements: Sow in a heated propagator or a warm room with temperatures of 20-25°C. 

  • Tip: Transplant seedlings into individual pots once they have true leaves. 

3. Tomatoes (for Greenhouse Growing) 

  • Why sow now? For an early harvest, sowing tomatoes in January can give them a head start. 

  • Requirements: Use a heated propagator or warm windowsill. Maintain temperatures around 18-21°C. If growing in a greenhouse then a bed fitted with soil warming cable is ideal to maintain the ideal soil temperature for germination and seedlings.   

  • Tip: Choose varieties suitable for greenhouse cultivation, like ‘Ailsa Craig’ or ‘Gardeners Delight’. 

4. Microgreens 

  • Why sow now? These quick-growing greens provide a nutritious boost in just a few weeks. 

  • Requirements: Scatter seeds of mustard, cress, or radish onto a shallow tray of compost. Keep moist and place on a sunny windowsill. 

  • Tip: Harvest when the leaves are 5-10cm tall for the best flavour. 

 

In a Greenhouse 

If you have an unheated greenhouse, you can sow hardy crops that can handle cooler temperatures. Adding fleece or cloches can provide extra warmth on frosty nights. 

5. Broad Beans 

  • Why sow now? Early sowing gives these hardy beans a head start, with an earlier harvest in late spring. 

  • Requirements: Sow directly into pots or modules in the greenhouse. Keep the soil just moist. 

  • Tip: Use hardy varieties like ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ for better results in colder conditions. 

6. Early Peas 

  • Why sow now? Sowing peas in a greenhouse avoids soil-borne pests and gives you an early crop. 

  • Requirements: Sow in deep pots or root trainers. Maintain temperatures above 7°C. 

  • Tip: Support young plants with sticks or twine to encourage upward growth. 

 

Outdoors 

For sowing directly outdoors in January, you’ll need to focus on hardy crops. Use cloches, fleece, or cold frames to protect seedlings from harsh weather. 

7. Garlic 

  • Why sow now? Garlic benefits from a period of cold to develop large bulbs. 

  • Requirements: Plant cloves directly into well-drained soil, 2.5cm deep and 10cm apart, with the pointed end facing up. 

  • Tip: Choose hardneck varieties like ‘Carcassonne Wight’ for reliable results. 

8. Onion Sets and Shallots 

  • Why sow now? January planting ensures strong root development before spring. 

  • Requirements: Plant sets in prepared soil with good drainage. Space 10-15cm apart. 

  • Tip: Cover with fleece if heavy frost is forecast. 

 

Specific Requirements for Success 

  1. Lighting: Ensure seedlings get plenty of light to prevent leggy growth. Consider grow lights if natural light levels are low. 

  1. Watering: Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to damping-off disease. 

  1. Temperature: Use propagators or heat mats to maintain consistent temperatures for crops like tomatoes and peppers. 

  1. Protection: Use cloches, fleece, or cold frames for outdoor sowing to shield young plants from frost and pests. 

  1. Labeling: Clearly label your pots or trays to keep track of different varieties. 

 

Final Thoughts 

January sowing can give your gardening season a head start, but it’s essential to provide the right conditions for each crop. By starting indoors, in a greenhouse, or using outdoor protection, you can enjoy healthy, productive plants later in the year. Happy sowing! 

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