January in the Garden

January brings the first hints that the garden year will soon begin again. It may be cold and damp outside, but the days are slowly lengthening, and there’s plenty to do to get a head start.
It’s a month for checking stores, starting a few early sowings, and planning the growing year ahead. Even small jobs now make a difference once spring arrives.
You’ll find sowing ideas and inspiration in the Easy Seed Planner.

🥕 Vegetable Highlights

Sow indoors (warm windowsill or propagator): onions, leeks, celery, celeriac, and early salads such as rocket, mustards and lettuce.
Sow under cover (cold frame or unheated greenhouse): broad beans, peas for shoots, and early carrots in deep pots or tubs.
Plant out: garlic and shallots if the soil isn’t frozen.
Tip: sow small batches of early salad leaves now, then again in a few weeks for a steady supply of fresh greens while it’s still cold outside.

Veggie jobs this January…

• Check stored potatoes, onions and roots – remove any that are soft or sprouting.
• Clear the last of the autumn debris from veg beds and compost healthy waste.
• Start warming soil for early sowings by covering beds with cloches or clear plastic.
• Wash seed trays and pots if you didn’t get to it last month.
• Draw up your sowing plan or crop rotation for the coming season.
• Order seeds early while the full range is still available.
• Keep an eye on overwintering crops – brush off snow and firm down any that have lifted in the frost.

🪴 Herby Highlights & Things to Do

• Check any herbs overwintering under cover – water lightly if dry.
• Pot up supermarket basil or coriander to enjoy fresh herbs indoors, or sow and grow Basils British or Bosham or Coriander Filtro: all happy sown this month
• Start sprouting seeds such as alfalfa and mustard for quick winter greens.
• Trim dead growth from hardy herbs like thyme and sage on mild days.
• Plan which herbs you’d like to expand or refresh this year – parsley, chives and mint are easy early options.

🌻 January Flower Power

• Cut back and tidy faded perennials if you didn’t in autumn, but leave a few seed heads for the birds.
• Check bulbs in pots – water lightly if the compost has dried out.
• Look out for the first snowdrops and hellebores – a lovely sign of the year turning.
• Prune wisteria and climbing roses on dry days.
• Plant bare-root roses and hedging in mild weather.
• Start sweet peas indoors if you didn’t in autumn.
For more ideas, filter the flowers by sow in January in the Easy Seed Planner.

🍓 Fruity Actions

• Finish pruning apple and pear trees before new growth starts.
• Check stored fruit and remove any that’s spoiling.
• Prune blackcurrants and gooseberries to shape them.
• Plant bare-root fruit trees and canes in mild spells.
• Mulch around the base of fruit bushes with compost or well-rotted manure.
• Keep bird feeders topped up and check nets and ties around trees after windy days.

🧹 General Bits and Bobs

• Keep paths and greenhouse entrances clear of moss and ice.
• Ventilate greenhouses on mild days to prevent mould.
• Sweep up fallen leaves, tidy pots, and check for signs of pests hiding in corners.
• Keep a note of where water collects – it’ll help you plan drainage improvements in spring.
• Take time to look through our seed ranges or plan your veg rotation – it’s the best part of a cold day!
• Start collecting toilet rolls and small pots ready for early sowings.

🪟 Windowsill Growing

If you’re itching to get started, the windowsill is your friend. Even in January, you can raise small pots of herbs and salad leaves indoors.
• Try rocket, cress, mustard and pea shoots for quick harvests.
• Sow basil, parsley or coriander in small pots for fresh herbs through winter.
• Keep trays on bright windowsills, turning them every few days for even growth.
• Avoid overwatering – soggy compost and low light don’t mix well.
It’s a lovely way to bring a bit of green life indoors and keep your gardening spirits up while the garden rests outside.

🌱 January is all about beginnings.

A little planning, a few early sowings and some quiet moments spent dreaming of what’s to come will set you up for a great growing year. Check the Easy Seed Planner and our January Offers for ideas to get things off to a flying start.