January is a quiet month for most gardeners, but in fact right now you can take an important step towards a successful season. If you start as early as January, you will get strong seedlings, a head start of several weeks and often a richer harvest. Read what to sow.
Why is it worth sowing already in January? Plants with a long growing season need more time to grow to the stage where they can flower or bear fruit. January sowing is ideal mainly for peppers, chili or some flowerswhich would remain weak at a later start.
In addition, pre-growing at home allows growth to be under control – the seeds germinate in the heat, without weather fluctuations, and the seedlings are not exposed to frost or pests. Thanks to that tend to be more durable and they take better after being transplanted outside.
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What vegetables can you sow in January
The most common choice, as we have already mentioned, are peppers and chili peppers. They germinate slowly and it takes several months from sowing to the first harvest, so starting in January pays off. You can also sow with them to youwhich has similar requirements for heat and light.
In January, they are often pre-planted i early tomato varietiesespecially if you plan to grow them in a greenhouse. More experienced growers also reach for both bulbous and stalked celerywhose seeds germinate very slowly and need enough time. In good conditions, you can start with is leek or an early salad intended for the greenhouse or conservatory, where it has a chance to grow quickly and be ready for an early harvest.
Which flowers are seeded first
January is an ideal time for annuals with a long development period. This includes, for example petunias, lobelias, begonias orgeranium. The seeds are often very small and are sown on the surface of the substrate, only lightly pressed. Thanks to timely sowing, the plants will be strong in May and will start to flower soon after planting. If you wait until March to sow, flowering can be significantly delayed.
What conditions do January sowings need?
It is the basis light, heat and quality substrate. The ideal temperature for germination is usually between 20-25 °C. In winter, there is little natural light, so it is advisable to place the seeds on the lightest windowsill or use an additional lighting lamp. The substrate should be light, airy and intended directly for sowing. It is also important not to overwater, as overwatering is the most common cause of sprouting plants rotting.
The most common mistakes in January sowing
Many growers make the mistake of too much early fertilization. Young seedlings initially have enough nutrients from the seed and fertilizing can rather harm them. A lack of light is also a common problem, which leads to pulling out plants. It pays to be patient – even if the seedlings grow slowly in January, as the light increases in the spring, their growth will accelerate significantly.
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