While many Britons gaze out at frosty gardens in early January, a leading horticulture expert insists now is the perfect time to kickstart the growing season. Benedict Vanheems, through his popular GrowVeg YouTube channel, has identified six essential vegetable seeds to sow in the first weeks of the new year to secure the earliest possible harvest.
The Top Crops for January Sowing
According to Vanheems, onions are a prime candidate for early planting. While many gardeners use pre-started 'sets', he strongly advocates beginning with seeds. This method significantly reduces the risk of 'bolting', where plants flower prematurely, and is also more cost-effective. He starts his onions in seed trays, first checking for slugs if the trays have been stored. He recommends filling trays with multipurpose compost and finishing with a fine, sifted layer for the best seedbed.
Chilli peppers are another excellent choice for January, but they demand more warmth. "Chili peppers like it nice and warm at all stages of their life," Vanheems clarifies, advising a germination temperature of at least 24°C (75°F). Using a propagator with a lid or a simple plastic bag over the pot can maintain crucial humidity and warmth, especially if placed near a boiler or on a sunny windowsill.
Mastering the Technique for Winter Success
Vanheems emphasises careful watering after sowing, using a spray bottle or a watering can with a fine rose to avoid disturbing the seeds. For chillies, ensuring pots have good drainage is key; he suggests adding coir or perlite to the compost mix. A word of caution: wear a mask when handling dry perlite to protect your lungs.
Given the short daylight hours, Vanheems notes that supplementary grow lights, providing around 12 hours of 'daylight', can be invaluable for strong seedling development. Gardeners in northern regions without lights may want to delay sowing for a few more weeks.
Cauliflower also makes the list for early sowing. Planted similarly to onions, these brassicas germinate without much heat but should be kept indoors until the first shoots appear. Cabbages and leeks can also be started around this time.
Why Embrace Winter Planting?
The benefits of an early start are clear. "Getting an early start like this means, in theory, we should get a slightly earlier harvest," explains Vanheems. This frees up ground space sooner, allowing for a follow-on crop to be planted in late summer for autumn and winter harvests.
For those without a greenhouse, Vanheems offers a clever budget solution: a repurposed plastic milk jug. Make drainage holes, cut it halfway around to create a hinge, and use it as a mini-cloche, sealing it with duct tape.
While garlic is ideally planted by late autumn, Vanheems admits he's running behind but confirms mid-winter is still a prime time. "There's plenty of chill still to come, and garlic does require a cold snap," he says.
Ultimately, Vanheems reassures gardeners that winter sowing is forgiving. "The great thing about winter sowing is that it's not overly complicated. These seeds will sprout in their own sweet time... they'll know when the time is right and they'll just pop up." With a little preparation now, your garden can get a vital head start on the year ahead.
