With January looming we’re going to take a look at what seeds you can start sowing, and some key gardening tasks to get your garden ready for the new season. Despite the chill, there's plenty to do. Whether you're thinking of growing a few flowers & vegetables or accelerating your Flower Farming Business.
January might feel a little early, but it's actually a great time to start sowing some hardy flowers indoors or in a greenhouse, especially if you're aiming for a head start on your spring garden. You’ll want to focus on flowers that can tolerate cooler conditions.
Top 5 Flower seeds to Sow in January !
Sweet Peas are one of the most popular flowers to sow in January. They need a bit of a head start to give them a long growing season. You can start them in pots or trays on a windowsill, but make sure they’re kept in a cool, light space. Sweet peas thrive when they have cool roots, so a cold greenhouse or unheated conservatory is perfect.
Larkspur are perfect for sowing while the weather is still cool as they cold stratification to germinate. All of our seeds have been pre stratified so this will give them a head start. Leave then in a greenhouse or cold frame and as the weather fluctuates they will germinate. And if you struggle to get Larkspur to germinate then head over to my blog all about seed stratification.
Pansies & Violas If you didn’t get around to sowing pansies and violas in the autumn, now’s the time! These hardy plants can be started indoors or in a cold frame, and they’ll provide beautiful flowers well into summer.
Orlaya Grandiflora is another flower which absolutely needs cold stratification and they can be a bit tricky but again, all of our hardy annuals are pre stratified to give the best chance of germination.
Antirrhinum ( Snapdragon) is one of the most beautiful and prolific flowers you can grow for the cutting patch and garden. The seeds are very small so make sure you sow then thinly and water from below. Ensure your seeds are pre stratified ( All of ours are) - if you struggle to get Orlaya to germinate then head over to my blog all about seed stratification.
Top 5 Veggie seeds to sow in January !
January isn’t typically the month when we think of sowing vegetables, but there are a few varieties that can be started in pots and trays indoors. Getting them started now means you'll be ahead of the game when spring arrives.
Onions January is a great time to start sowing onion seeds. These can be sown indoors, where it’s warm and dry, or in a heated propagator. You’ll want to give them a couple of months to grow before they’re ready to be planted outside in the spring. You can sow them in trays or pots.
Wild Rocket If you’re looking to add a peppery kick to your salads, wild rocket is a great choice for January sowing. Start it indoors or in a cold frame, and you’ll soon have seedlings ready to be planted outdoors in the spring. Wild rocket is a hardy plant that will thrive once the weather warms up.
Broad Beans can be started in January, especially if you’re keen to get an early start on your vegetable harvest. These can be sown indoors or in a cold frame. When the seedlings are ready, you can plant them outside in the spring for an early summer harvest. Broad beans are quite hardy and can tolerate cooler temperatures.
Mizuna is a fast-growing, nutritious leafy green that you can sow indoors now. It thrives in cooler conditions, and you can harvest it as baby leaves for salads or leave it to grow larger.
Tomatoes While typically sown later in the year, you can start them indoors in January IF YOU HAVE GROWLIGHTS AND A HEATED MAT. They do require a long growing season to fruit well and if you have got the equipment its worth starting them nice and early. If you do not have the equipment then do not sow in January. They will not thrive without heat & light so wait until February or March.
If you want to know what else you can sow in January take a look through our Seed Sowing by Month cart pages for more ideas.
Top 5 Garden Jobs for January!
While sowing seeds is the exciting bit there are plenty of jobs to focus on during January too, which will set you up for a successful growing season.
Prepare Your Tools January is the perfect time to give your garden tools some attention. Clean, sharpen, and oil your secateurs, spades, and hoes. A little maintenance now will make your garden jobs much easier come spring.
Prune Fruit Trees For fruit trees, January is a good month for pruning. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased wood from your apple, pear, or plum trees. You can also do some formative pruning on young trees to shape their structure.
Check for Pests and Diseases Keep an eye out for pests like aphids or any signs of disease in your plants. Remove any affected plant material, and tidy up fallen leaves and debris from around your garden. This will help reduce the risk of pests and diseases in the coming year.
Tidy Up the Garden Beds January is a good time to clear old, dead plant material from your flower beds and vegetable plots. Although it may look a little bare, this gives you the chance to prepare the soil and add compost or manure to give it a nutrient boost for spring.
Check on your Dahlias If you have not yet given your Dahlias a once over then now is the time. If you’ve dug them up and stored them in a cool, dry place, make sure to check on them to ensure they’re still in good condition. Begin by gently lifting the tubers to inspect for any signs of rot or disease. Look for soft, mushy areas or any discoloration, as these are indicators of rotting. If you spot any damaged or diseased parts, carefully remove them with a clean, sharp knife.
As the year begins, so does the opportunity to nurture your garden and set the stage for a flourishing season ahead.
January may seem like a quiet month, but it’s a time full of potential and a time to get your seed list finalised if you haven't done so already. If you haven't signed up to receive your copy then head on over and give us your address now !
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