Allotment Growing	Sunday 06 July 2008 Allotment Diary

Allotment & Vegetable Gardening in January

Allotment & Vegetable Gardening in January

There is no such thing as an absolute set date for a job in gardening, for a start temperatures vary according to where you are in the country.

Winter comes earlier to Scotland than Devon. Next, each year is different; some warmer and some colder although the trend is toward warmer the exception proves the rule.

So, adjust for where you are and the weather

January, like December, is usually a month of hard frosts although with global warming changing our climate, this prediction is hardly firm.

Harvest

Leeks may well be standing ready but if a long freeze seems likely you can dig some up and heel them in to dug ground for easy access – unless we have deep snow!

Parsnips and swedes in the ground can come up when you are ready, cover with fleece or straw to stop them freezing solid into the ground.

The cabbage family should be providing some sustenance and beet leaves (perpetual spinach) and chards will be available.

On a sunny day it is worth emptying your potato sacks and check for any that are starting to rot before it spreads.

General Jobs in the Garden

In an ideal world you will have finished digging over, creating leafmould heaps etc as suggested for December. If like me you are always behind, try to catch up! Digging over now if we have a fine day will also have the benefit of exposing pests in the soil which will be eaten by friendly birds such as the robin.

Keep the plot tidy and check tree stakes remain firm, greenhouses are secure etc. against winter storms.

As you harvest brassicas, dig up the stems and turn the ground over. Because the compost heap will be cold and slow at this time of year, you can always bury these in the bottom of a trench along with some kitchen waste to prepare for the runner beans later in the year.

Sowing, Planting and Cultivating

January is not the month for outdoor planting although you may be able to make use of your greenhouse, especially if you can keep the house frost free. Unless you have specialist equipment it's always a gamble in deep winter, for who knows how cold it may get?

Fruit

Resist the temptation to try out new secateurs on stone fruits like cherry and damson, although you can still prune apples and pears etc.

Remove any mummified fruits hanging or on the ground under the trees as these will be harbouring pests.

Seed Order

Since the weather will be keeping you indoors, now is a good opportunity to sit down with the seed catalogues or browse the seed merchant's web sites and decide what to try this year.

Although you probably have your favourite varieties, it may be an opportunity to try some new varieties and compare the performance.

Do try the lists on this site - Vegetable Seeds - they're broken down into types (cabbage, carrot etc) but list seeds from various manufacturers to make it easy for you to compare.

There is also a list of UK seed suppliers on the site. Thompson & Morgan also supply Canada, the USA and most of the world.