Green fingered Britons are being offered advice on what they should be planting in the garden and greenhouse this January.
The gardening experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have put together their tips for Brits wanting to get ahead with planting plans for 2023.
January is a quiet month for planting in the garden but a busy one for those with a greenhouse or a sunny windowsill to experiment on.
Bare root fruit trees can go directly in the garden. In the greenhouse, gardeners can start sowing vegetables, salad fruit and veg and flowers including sweet peas, geraniums and begonias.
Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “January is a great time to get in the greenhouse and start sowing seeds ready to plant out into the garden later in the year.
“The joy of greenhouse gardening is that you can sow and grow exactly what you want, safe in the knowledge that the young plants will be well protected from the worst of the winter.
“There are also plants you can get straight into the garden like bare root fruit trees and roses, and those you can plant and watch grow in your home on a sunny windowsill.”
Here is GardeningExpress.co.uk’s guide to planting in January:
Bare root fruit trees
Bare root fruit trees are dormant during the winter months so January is a good month to plant them. Ideally plant in a spot with full sun and plenty of room for the branches to grow. Make sure your soil, if it isn’t waterlogged or frozen, is well prepared before you plant – this will give your tree the best chance of success.
Bare root roses
Like the fruit trees, bare root roses are dormant during winter too. Plant in a large enough spot with plenty of sunshine and away from plants, like trees and hedges which could take over.
Broad Beans
Broad beans are one of the easiest vegetables to grow. Plant each seed in a deep pot and water regularly. They should be ready to plant out in about six weeks.
Brassicas
Sow cabbage and cauliflower seeds in the greenhouse this month for an early crop. Simply place the seeds in a seed tray and water regularly. These can be hardened and set out in March / April.
Flowers
Geraniums, Sweet Peas and Begonias are among the seeds to sow in the greenhouse now ready for beautiful blooms later in the year. These can all be sown in seed trays and place in the greenhouse.
Herbs
If you have a sunny windowsill now is a good time to plant seeds and leave them on your windowsill to grow. The winter sun is strong enough to bring these to life. Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow so if you’re a garden novice, this is a good place to start.
Winter bedding plants
If you want to inject some instant colour into your garden, it’s not too late to add in some winter bedding plants. Pansies and cyclamen are a good choice for interest and colour.
For more advice on growing in a greenhouse https://help.gardeningexpress.co.uk/knowledge-base/beginners-guide-to-greenhouse-gardening/