What Veg To Plant In January UK? [Our Favourites] - Plantee (2023)

January is a great time to start preparing and planting your vegetable patch. The UK enjoys mild winters and a variety of vegetables can thrive during this period. This guide will help you identify what vegetables to plant in January in the UK and provide tips on how to ensure their successful growth.

Consider the conditions of your garden, such as soil type, climate and exposure before planning what to grow. With the right mixture of hardy crops and careful soil preparation, you can enjoy fresh produce all year round!

What Veg To Plant In January UK?

Vegetables

January can still be a great time to get your vegetable garden started in the UK! With a few precautions, such as using cloches and row covers, you can still have a good crop of vegetables this time of year.

Certain vegetables are well-suited to the UK climate and will thrive in January, so let’s explore some of the best vegetables you should be planting this month.

Peas

Peas are a favourite in gardens around the world. This cool-weather crop can be planted in early January in most parts of the UK. Peas prefer well-drained, fertile soil, and can survive in sunny or partially shaded areas.

There are different varieties of peas available, so it’s worth doing some research to decide which one is best for where you live. Some commonly grown types include mangetout, snow and garden peas with climbing varieties suited to mesh netting or sticks for support.

Planting should be done 4–6 weeks before the last spring frost when the soil has reached 5°C/41°F. Sow seeds 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) deep and 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart in rows that are 18–36 inches (45–90 cm) apart to ensure proper air circulation and ideal sun exposure for your peas once they start to grow. Water deeply until well-established, then keep soil moist throughout their growing season with deep soakings every few days when there is no rain expected — a total of 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week usually suffices.

Fertilise with nitrogen each year as a side dressing at least 4 weeks before harvesting begins; this helps vegetables stay tender and sweet rather than tough and tasteless from low nutrients in the soil during their growth cycle

Spinach

Spinach is a great vegetable to plant in January for several reasons. It is able to withstand cold temperatures and frost, making it an ideal choice for January planting. Spinach plants grow fast and can be harvested within just a few weeks, providing a fresh crop of nutritious greens even during the winter months in many climates.

Planting spinach in January has the added benefit of early spring growth before warmer-weather plants arrive.

When planting spinach in January, choose a location with full sun or light shade to receive at least five hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth. As with any gardening project, begin by preparing the soil with compost and fertilizer before sowing the seeds.

Spinach needs moist but well-drained soil that is somewhat acidic (pH 6 to 6.8). Keep the area weed-free to avoid competition for nutrients and water. For best results, thin out seedlings when they reach two inches tall by snipping off excess seedlings at ground level with scissors; this will help encourage healthy growth for remaining plants due to greater access to moisture, nutrients and space below ground as well as on top of the soil surface.

Harvest spinach leaves on an as-needed basis by snipping off outer leaves as soon as they’re large enough; leave inner leaves alone so they can continue producing new leaves throughout the season. A single spinach plant will make enough leaves to provide several harvests over time if taken care of properly.

Enjoy your harvest fresh or cooked; it’s an easy addition to salads, sandwiches and omelettes!

Radishes

Radishes are also a great choice for planting in January. They contain no fat and are a good source of potassium, folate, magnesium and vitamin C. Radishes will thrive in full sun with moist soil and can be harvested within four to five weeks.

Depending on the variety, they do best planted from seed or seedlings sown directly into prepared beds or trays.

For incredibly fast rewards from your garden, radishes can be one of the easiest vegetables to grow – you could even have ready-to-eat radishes in time for Easter Sunday lunch! Radish leaves are also edible and make a delicious addition to salads or sandwiches.

Common varieties like ‘Cherry Belle’ and ‘French Breakfast’ have turnip-shaped roots that come in red, white or purple skins with spicy white flesh – though there are also spherical varieties such as ‘Early Scarlet Globe,’ as well as long cylindrical types such as ‘Black Round’.

Carrots

If you are an experienced gardener, planting carrots in January can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Growing carrots from seed gives you full control over a vegetable that has endless varieties to choose from. Carrots can be grown from seed outdoors in the UK during winter months as long as temperatures remain above 7 C (around 45 F).

Before sowing your carrot seeds, make sure to pick a sunny spot. When planting, use light and sandy soil that drains well while remaining evenly moist, and avoid using stony or heavy clay soils. It is also important to keep the area free of weeds by regularly turning it over throughout the growing season.

The best way to plant carrot seeds is solitary sow method — each seed should be placed carefully 2cm deep into prepared ground 6-8cm apart in 15cm wide drills; which form straight rows of perfect carrots. The entire process requires much patience and effort but will reward you with a big harvest come summer.

Before harvesting your carrots, make sure that they have had plenty of time to reach their full length; otherwise, pick them when they are small for tasty baby carrots! Additionally, it is important to add a mulch of garden compost around plants to deter pests like slugs and carrot flies away from tender young roots.

With regular watering and tending, you can enjoy your bounty of homegrown carrots month after month through winter months all the way up until next year’s harvest begins in April or May.

Lettuce

Lettuce is highly recommended for planting in January, as the soil and air temperatures are perfect for this cool-weather crop. In fact, lettuce is a winter-hardy plant, easily surviving cooler temperatures and even light frost. The most important requirements for any successful planting are well-drained soil and full sun exposure.

When starting lettuce from seed, plant the seeds 1/4 inch deep in the soil, spaced 4–6 inches apart in rows 12–18 inches apart. For transplants, consider planting “baby” lettuce plants in 6–8 inch pots so they will be ready to transplant when weather permits. Once planted in the garden they should be spaced 8–12 inches apart in rows 18–24 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged as lettuce do not tolerate wet soils or prolonged dry periods either.

Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer when heads begin forming to encourage healthy growth and avoid bitter-tasting leaves. Within 30 days of planting you should see shoots emerging from the ground and in 55 to 65 days your lettuce crops will be ready to harvest!

Cabbage

Cabbage is a cool-season crop that is best grown during winter months or early spring in most climates. Cabbage will tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F (-6°C), and can be planted in the garden as soon as soil can be worked. Depending on your climate, you should plant cabbage anywhere from late December to early January.

Cabbage requires full sun, though it will tolerate some shade and well-draining soil with plenty of organic material for good drainage and healthy growth. When planting cabbage, space the seedlings 12 inches apart to allow for air circulation and prevent disease. Freshly planted cabbage is often susceptible to slugs, so monitor your plant’s size their potential damage by doing nightly inspections.

If you are planning on maintaining a patch of cabbages throughout the colder months of winter, it is important to insulate your plot with straw or plastic row covers before cold weather arrives in your area. This insulation will help protect crops from extreme cold that can cause freezing damage and death of young plants.

Tips for Planting in January

January is the ideal time to get your garden ready for the growing season! If you’re looking for vegetables to plant in your UK garden this month, there are many vegetables that are suited for planting in January. By planning ahead and taking advantage of the natural conditions in the UK during this month, you can ensure success in your garden this season. Read on to find out the best vegetables to plant in January in the UK.

Prepare the soil

January is a great month for starting your gardening season. To get the most out of your planting, it’s important to start by preparing the soil. Your garden should be weed and debris free, prepped with aged manure and good-quality compost. If the soil is compacted, aerate it to ensure roots can stretch and get to work on feeding the plants. Once moistened and worked in, you’re ready to start planting!

It’s also important to ensure that you know what type of soil you have in order to choose appropriate plants for your garden. Remember that some plants do better in certain types of soil than others; understanding which will perform best or is suited for your conditions is essential before selecting specific varieties for your garden.

Choosing an appropriate fertilizer or plant food may also be necessary depending on the types of vegetables that you choose to grow, as some require more nutrients than others throughout their growth stages. Selecting one that is tailored towards the specific needs of each vegetable crop can improve both yield and flavor when harvest time comes around!

Choose the right seeds

When choosing seeds for planting in January, it is important to select the right varieties for the temperatures and conditions in your area. In general, hardy winter vegetables such as peas, kale, onions, root vegetables (such as carrots and potatoes), garlic and spinach are good choices for January planting. There are also a variety of flower bulbs that can be successfully planted at this time of year; daffodils, tulips and hyacinths are all examples of flowers that can be planted in January.

Pay attention to the seed package instructions; some varieties may require pre-soaking or pre-chilling before being planted. It’s also important to know your USDA plant hardiness zone, which will help you decide which varieties will do best in your area.

Finally, choose an adequately prepared site with approximately 6 hours of sunlight a day. Be sure to turn over the soil and add compost to ensure that there is enough nutrients. If possible, wait until soil temperatures reach 45° Fahrenheit or higher before planting–this can take anywhere from one week to two months after the last frost date varies from location to location. With adequate scouting and preparation, you too can enjoy a fruitful harvest in January!

Plant in containers

Planting in containers is a great way to have your own ready-to-harvest vegetables in the winter months. Most vegetables need about six hours of sunlight each day, so make sure your pots are placed in an area that gets plenty of direct sunshine. Containers also provide a space to create warm soil temperatures ideal for starting off seeds and setting out transplants.

If you are using containers for veg, give each plant its own pot, or raise your beds up off the ground on blocks or bricks to allow optimum drainage. Soil composition is important too – a good quality compost will give your plants the best chance at growing strong and healthy.

When planting in containers, it’s important to keep a close eye on your plant’s water needs — with limited drainage and air movement water stays longer at the root zone and can cause soggy conditions that can lead to root rot. You may want to invest in soil moisture meters or add perforated holes near the base of clay pots so excess water can drain away properly.

Vegetables suitable for container planting in January include chicory, cabbages, purple sprouting broccoli (PSB), winter radishes, Chinese cabbage, leeks and kale varieties like red Russian kale that are tolerant to cold weather well. If you are looking for something new try various Oriental herbs such as coriander, mizuna and pak choi as well as potatoes which can also be grown over winter for harvesting in late March or early April ready for Easter lunch!

Plant in sheltered locations

When planting in January, it’s important to choose a site that offers plenty of protection from cold temperatures. Make sure to pick a location that is away from any frost pockets or areas where cold draughts may occur. A southern-facing garden is ideal and, if possible, pick a spot in your garden that gets the most sunlight throughout the day. Raised beds can also be beneficial as they will help to keep plants warm and protect their roots from cold temperatures.

When it comes to planting in January, there are a few hardy vegetables that you can choose from such as cabbages; cauliflower; kale; leeks; parsnips; swedes; spring onions and turnips. These hearty vegetables thrive in winter conditions so they should give you good results when planted during this cooler time of year.

On the other hand, some crops such as peppers, tomatoes and courgettes may not produce good results when grown in colder weather as these plants require warmer temperatures and more protection from the elements. Therefore, if you choose to plant these types of crops then it’s best to wait until later in the spring when temperatures start to rise gradually.

It’s also important to give your plants plenty of light during this time of year as outdoor conditions can be very gloomy so investing in some grow lights can be beneficial for many veggies. Additionally, added nutrients might also be necessary for healthier harvests during wintertime so don’t forget to fertilise bed soil before planting those hearty veggies – happy gardening 😉

Water regularly

Watering your plants regularly is imperative to successful growth and development, especially when starting with young plants in January. Make sure your soil is well drained with the right amount of moisture so that your plants can receive an adequate supply of water to begin their journey.

It is also important to adjust the frequency of watering based on the weather and type of plant you have as some years may be wetter or drier than others. Take into consideration climatic conditions such as wind, sunlight, temperature, and rainfall when watering your plants.

If a particular plant needs more water due to these conditions during this time period, make sure to take into consideration for their needs.

Final Thoughts

January is a great time to sow vegetables and herbs that enjoy cooler climates. While we may think of winter as an inactive period in the garden, there are actually plenty of vegetables that can thrive in January!

Although some of the more traditional summer crops like tomatoes, peppers and aubergines aren’t suitable for sowing in this month, you can still enjoy the fruits of your labour later in the year with lettuces and other salad leaves, spinach and other greens to harvest from April onwards.

Some root vegetable types can also be planted directly into beds during January such as carrots, beets, parsnips and radishes. A wide variety of herbs can be sown or planted at this time too such as chives, coriander, parsley and dill.

With a few simple planning tips you can enjoy tasty harvests throughout the entire year!