Despite the winter chill, January offers keen gardeners the perfect opportunity to start sowing several varieties of seeds indoors, according to a gardening expert.
While frost and cold temperatures limit outdoor gardening activities, four particular plants can get a head start this month when given the right protection.
Sweet peas, geraniums, broad beans, and strawberries can all be successfully started in January, preparing the way for spring and summer growth.
Gardening expert Calum Maddock at HomeHow.co.uk suggested the following tips and tricks.
Sweet peas
Native to Sicily, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands, sweet peas are versatile flowering plants that can bring vibrant colour to summer gardens.
When sown in January for planting around April or May, these legume family members can achieve a long flowering season with proper care.
Sweet peas require a well-lit, frost-free environment during their winter growing period. A windowsill provides an ideal indoor location when combined with good-quality compost in root trainers or trays.
These climbing plants can later be supported by trellises, making them perfect for garden displays and bouquets.
Geraniums
These Mediterranean flowering plants offer a spectrum of colours from white to pink, purple and blue, making them popular for both beds and baskets.
January provides the "ideal timing" for indoor sowing of geranium seeds, which should be lightly buried in compost-filled trays, the expert explained.
A heated greenhouse provides optimal conditions for germination, though any warm, well-lit indoor space can suffice. Regular nourishment is essential for these delicate flowers, which must remain protected until all frost risk has passed.
Broad beans
As members of the legume family, broad beans demonstrate remarkable cold hardiness, tolerating temperatures as low as -13 degrees Celsius.
January sowing is suitable in mild areas for those seeking an early harvest, with outdoor planting possible given proper protection.
For optimal growth, seeds should be planted in double rows and blocks to shield against wind and weeds.
A horticultural fleece can provide additional protection on particularly cold nights to prevent frost damage.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Gardener shares 4 houseplants that are perfect for winter - 'super easy to care for'
- 'I'm an orchid grower - I add small holes to my pots to boost my plant's growth'
- Pruning now is 'crucial' to prepare for spring - but expert shares what not to prune in January
While unheated greenhouses work well, these versatile plants can thrive outdoors with appropriate winter safeguards.
Strawberries
These members of the rose family, first bred in France in the 1750s, are particularly well-suited to indoor winter growing. Strawberry seeds require minimal light and flourish in warm temperatures, making them perfect for windowsill cultivation.
Multiple plants can be started together in compost-filled trays, making efficient use of indoor space.
When grown indoors, strawberry plants can produce fruit around late April, with greenhouse conditions potentially accelerating this timeline.
Find Out More...