Yes, You Can Grow Vegetables in January

January is not just the first month of the year, it is also one of the coldest and wettest months. January make’s even the most dedicated gardeners think twice about starting seeds or bulbs outdoors. The harsh winter winds and wetter than wet weather, makes the soil harder to work with and even removing a warm glove to grip a tiny seed to sow in cold temperatures is a turn off.

The saviours of the vegetable garden are Hardy Vegetables. Hardy vegetables actually love these dank, dark and frosty growing conditions..

What are Hardy Vegetables?

They are vegetables that can survive through extreme cold weather conditions. They have a high tolerance to cold, ice, snow, and frost and can survive where other vegetables wilt and die.

Summer Cabbage

How do Hardy Vegetable Plants survive the cold?

Plant Cell Conversion

It is all down to their plant cells, they have evolved to make themselves toughened by converting water in cells into a sugar solution and increasing proteins and fats which lowers the freezing point in the plant. Plants can also remove water in their cells to stop it freezing and damaging them.

Ceasing Growth

Some plants can force themselves into dormancy – a sleeping phase where they can survive the winter in like a hibernation period, similar to animals. They conserve energy by ceasing growth through the winter.

What Type of Hardy Vegetables can I Sow in January?

In January, the main place to sow Hardy Vegetables is Indoors on a light sunny windowsill, cold hardy veg started in January, can be planted outside in April and harvested in July & August.

Indoors on a sunny light windowsill

Onion seedlings 6 weeks old

The day light hours in January are low so this is why I wait until February to sow my hardy veg and warm loving veg on a sunny light windowsill. Read – Is it worth sowing seeds in January?

Last year I sowed Onions from seed and summer cabbages on my windowsill in January. I was amazed that both these seeds where successful and I went on to get a fantastic harvest in August from the Onions.

What to Sow in January

  1. How to Sow Onions from Seed
  2. How to Sow Summer Cabbage

What kit do I need to have a Windowsill setup?

There is a basic setup needed for windowsill seed sowing.

You will need:

  • A windowsill sized cell tray with ventilation lid.
  • Seeds to sow,
  • A small amount of compost or seed compost,
  • A small jug to water the compost when it’s dry.

More: How to Create a Simple Seed Sowing Setup Indoors

Download my Cheat Sheets

You could be enjoying your own homegrown homemade cauliflower cheese in May, if you start sowing cauliflower in January!

How? I hear you cry, download my Veg Growing Cheat Sheets and take the guess work out of veg growing and just feel the joy and achievement instead.

Free Veg Cheat Sheet PDF’s

Growing Onions Cheat Sheet.pdf

Grow Cauliflower in Jan Cheat Sheet.pdf

Start your Vegetable Growing Journey!

Learn as you grow, we’ll guide you through what to sow and when, what’s under the soil and why it’s so important, where to grow and how to grow vegetables on a budget.

Limited spaces available.

More about our Brand New Vegetable Gardening for Beginners Course here.

Join the waiting list here ready to start to Learn as you Grow: February 2026

vegetable gardening course


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Best Pot Size for Jade Plant: Selection The Right Pot – Small, Medium or Large

Image
Best Pot Size for Jade Plant   Jade plants are popular succulents that are easy to care for and make beautiful additions to your garden area. Jade plant can thrive and grow happily in a pot for many years, reaching up to three feet in height.  When selecting the right pot for a jade plant, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. Jade plants develop thick, woody stems and fleshy, rounded leaves. Though their growth is slow, they can become top-heavy as they mature and produce new foliage. Since jade plants are sensitive to excess moisture and cannot tolerate water sitting at the base of the pot (often called “wet feet”), proper drainage is essential to prevent root rot. Therefore, it’s best to choose a pot that has a wide, stable base to support the plant’s weight and promotes effective drainage to keep the roots healthy. Best Pot Size for Jade Plant   Understanding Jade Plant Growth   Jade plant in small pot Before we discuss pot size, it is importa...
Read more

How to Grow and Care Morning Glory: Sunlight, Soil, Pot Size & Pruning Tips

Image
How to Grow and Care Morning Glory   Morning glories are stunning, fast-growing vines that produce an abundance of vibrant flowers throughout the summer. These plants are loved for their beauty and ability to attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. However, they can spread rapidly and sometimes become invasive, so it’s important to understand their growth habits before planting them in your garden. In this guide, you’ll learn how to care for morning glories, plant them successfully, and keep them thriving all season long. Quick Morning Glory Facts Fast-growing climbing vine Produces flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white Blooms open in the morning and close by afternoon Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies Can become invasive in some regions Prefers warm temperatures and full sunlight How to Grow and Care Morning Glory   1. Temperature & Humidity Morning glories prefer warm temperatures (21 °C – 35 °C) ...
Read more

Gardening Queries on Mogra Plant – Why My Jasmine Plant is Not Flowering & Growing

Image
Why My Jasmine Plant is Not Flowering We are excited to introduce our new initiative – Gardening Queries , where we will answer some of the most common gardening problems faced by plant lovers. Whether you’re struggling with slow plant growth, lack of flowers, or any other gardening issue, we are here to help! Jasmine plant In this edition, we will be discussing one of the most frequently asked questions about Mogra (Arabian Jasmine) plants – Why is my Mogra plant not growing or flowering? If your plant is not thriving despite your best efforts, don’t worry! We’ve got the solutions you need. So, let’s get started: Jasmine or Mogra is one of the most beloved flowering plants known for its fragrant white blooms. However, many gardeners face issues where their Mogra plant either doesn’t grow properly or fails to flower despite proper care. If you’re struggling with this, you’re not alone! Let’s address the most common Mogra plant problems with solutions to help your plant...
Read more