January Allotments Tips
January may be one of the coldest months of the year, but it’s the perfect time to prepare for the growing season ahead. While frosty mornings and frozen ground can limit outdoor jobs, there are still plenty of ways to get ahead.
❄️ Here are our top tips for January:
- 🥔 Start chitting your seed potatoes to give them a head start before planting.🌱 Prepare empty beds by adding compost or mulch whenever the ground isn’t frozen.
- 🛠️ Tackle maintenance jobs like repairing raised beds, fences, sheds and pathways.
- 🌳 Plant fruit trees during mild spells while they’re still dormant.
- 📋 Plan your crop rotation and decide what you’d like to grow this year.
- 🧰 Clean, sharpen and organise your tools so they’re ready for spring.
- 🌿 Keep an eye on overwintering crops and protect them during severe frosts
- 🌧️ Make the most of rainy days by ordering seeds and planning your sowing schedule.
January is all about preparation. A little time spent planning and maintaining your allotment now will make the busy spring season much easier.
❄️ Key jobs for January
- Start chitting seed potatoes in a cool, bright, frost-free place.
- Add compost or mulch to empty beds where possible.
- Repair fences, raised beds, paths and other structures.
- Plant dormant fruit trees if the ground isn’t frozen.
- Sow hardy crops under cover or in mild areas outdoors.
- Clean greenhouses, pots and seed trays ready for sowing.
- Check stored vegetables and remove any that have spoiled.
- Organise seeds and gardening supplies.
- Plan your crop rotation and planting schedule.
- Watch the weather and protect overwintering crops during cold snaps.
🌱 What to Sow in January
Although January is a quiet month for sowing, there are still a few hardy crops that can be started to get the growing season underway.
Sow outdoors (in mild areas)
- Broad beans
Sow under cover
- Salad leaves
- Lettuce
- Cauliflower
- Cabbages
- Spring onions
Plant out
- Dormant fruit trees (if the ground isn’t frozen)
But don’t be discouraged — January is the ideal month to slow down, plan ahead and prepare your allotment for the busy months to come. A little organisation now will help you make the most of the growing season and set you up for a successful year of homegrown fruit and vegetables.