What I’m Sowing in January and Why It’s Worth Starting Early

January always looks quiet outside. Cold soil, short days, very little happening in the beds. But indoors, this is where my growing year actually begins.

I do not sow much in January, but the things I do start now are ones that really benefit from it. They are slow growers, need a long season, or are just easier to manage if they are already established by the time spring rolls around.

This is what I am sowing in January, and why.

Indoors / under cover

Onions

Onions are always one of the first things I start. They take a long time to reach a decent size, so getting them going early makes a big difference. I sow them fairly shallow and make sure they get plenty of light right from the start. Weak light early on almost always leads to thin, floppy growth later, so this is one I keep an eye on.

Peppers and chillies

These are probably the main reason I bother sowing anything in January at all. Peppers and chillies are slow to get going and really need the extra time. I keep them warm, usually on a heat mat, and accept that germination can take a while. Once they are up, steady warmth and good light are more important than rushing them on.

Aubergines

I treat aubergines much like peppers, but they are fussier. In my experience they need more heat to germinate and sulk quickly if conditions are not right. If you have struggled with them before, starting earlier and keeping them consistently warm helps a lot. I start them now so they have plenty of time before planting out later in the spring.

Hardy herbs

I also like to start a few herbs early, especially the ones that take their time. Parsley in particular is painfully slow, so January sowing suits it well. I usually start:

• Parsley

• Oregano

• Thyme

• Sage

They do not need much heat, just patience and even conditions.

Outdoors, if conditions allow

If you have a polytunnel, cold frame, or a sheltered spot, there are a couple of things that are worth a go even this early.

Broad beans

These are very forgiving and cope well with winter conditions. Varieties like Aquadulce Claudia or The Sutton have always been reliable for me when sown early.

Early peas

Hardy early peas such as Meteor or Kelvedon Wonder can also be started under cover. Even a bit of protection from the worst weather makes a big difference to how quickly they get going.

A few things I keep in mind in January

Light

January light is weak. If seedlings stretch, they rarely recover properly. I use grow lights to keep growth steady and compact, especially for onions and peppers.

Temperature

Most seeds are happy somewhere around 18 to 24°C, but peppers and aubergines want it warmer. A heat mat takes a lot of the guesswork out of early sowing.

Watering

Cold, wet compost causes more problems than dry compost at this time of year. I keep things just moist and make sure trays are not sitting in water.

Keeping notes

When you only sow a few things, it is easy to think you will remember what you did. You probably will not. I log sowing dates, photos and notes in SeedSort as things progress, which makes it much easier to look back and adjust next year.

January might feel early, but for certain crops it is exactly the right time to start. I keep it simple, sow a small selection, and focus on giving those plants the best possible start. If you grow peppers, aubergines or onions, this is a good month to join in.