January may feel like a quiet time for gardening but there’s still plenty you can do to prepare for the growing season! While it’s too cold for many crops to thrive outdoors, this month is ideal for planting hardy vegetables, starting seeds indoors, and planning your garden. Here’s a guide to what you can grow in the UK in January:

Outdoors

Although growth is slow in winter, hardy vegetables and crops can handle the colder conditions:

Garlic
• Plant garlic cloves in well-drained soil.
• Choose hardy varieties suited for UK winters, like ‘Solent Wight’ or ‘Carcassonne Wight.’
Onions and Shallots
• Autumn-planted sets will continue to grow through winter. Ensure they’re weed-free and check for signs of disturbance from frost.
Rhubarb Crowns
• Plant dormant rhubarb crowns in well-prepared soil for a harvest in spring or summer. Ensure the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.

Undercover (Greenhouse,Polytunnel, or Cold Frame)

Use protection to give crops a head start in January:

Lettuce and Salad Greens
• Sow hardy varieties like lamb’s lettuce, mizuna, or winter lettuces in trays or under cloches.
Spinach and Chard
•Start growing under cover for a steady supply in early spring.
Herbs
•Sow parsley, coriander, or chervil indoors for a small, fresh herb crop.

Indoors

For an early start to the growing season, use windowsills, heated propagators, or grow lights:

Tomatoes
• Sow seeds of early varieties like ‘Gardener’s Delight’ indoors if you have a warm, bright space or grow lights.
Chillies and Peppers
• Sow seeds now, as they have a long growing season. Varieties like ‘Jalapeno’ or ‘Bell Boy’ are good options.
Aubergines
• Start seeds indoors in warm conditions for a summer harvest.
Microgreens
• Fast-growing crops like radish, mustard, or pea shoots can be grown on a sunny windowsill.

Planning & Maintenance

January is also a great time to plan and prepare for the coming months:

• Order seeds and supplies for spring planting.
• Prune fruit trees and bushes, such as apple, pear, and blackcurrants, while they’re dormant.
• Prepare soil by adding compost or manure to beds to enrich them for planting later in the year.

By planting the right crops and taking advantage of indoor and covered spaces, January can be a productive month for gardeners!