January 2021
Beetroot can be sown in cool and temperate climates this month, easy to germinate, requiring very little attention and they are an excellent and attractive addition to any vegetable garden. Growing in full sun or part shade they can be planted in rows or simply use them as gap fillers. Thinnings and young leaves are great added to salads while you wait for the bulb/root to develop. With its striking red and white rings Chioggia is a sure conversation starter and a variety you will want to grow year after year.
Zucchini harvests are in full swing in many gardens but it isn’t too late to sow some seeds now. Quick to germinate, you will be grilling this delicious vegetable in a few weeks. For best results, plant two seeds into free draining soil and thin to the strongest plant. A dusting of blood and bone and a regular water with a seaweed solution will provide a strong and productive plant.
Continue to plant Beans in all but tropical climates this month, warm summer soil will provide quick germination. Keep well watered and remember to pick beans when young and tender and to encourage a continued supply. Bush bean varieties such as Royal burgundy or Stringless Pioneer make a great option for those confined to growing in pots or with limited vertical options. Snake beans are an excellent alternative for tropical gardeners.
Chilli and capsicum seeds can be sown in tropical climates. Californian Wonder is a standout capsicum variety that produces large green fruit turning red when fully ripe. Bulgarian Carrot chilli, while not as widely known as Cayenne or Jalapeno, is a high yielding medium to hot variety that has excellent germination and growth rates.
Cauliflower, often thought of as a winter vegetable can be sown in cool and temperate zones. While Cauliflowers are able to withstand cold and even frosts, need warmth to really thrive. While planting in warmer weather will produce best results, plants will need to be protected from White Cabbage Moth throughout the entire growing season.
Happy gardening!
Vegetable, herb and flower seeds to plant now
In Cool Climates
- Asian Greens – Sow direct
- Beetroot – Sow direct
- Beans– Sow direct*
- Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
- Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM)
- Capsicum – Plant out seedlings*
- Cauliflower – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
- Carrot – Sow direct
- Celery – Plant out seedlings*
- Chilli – Plant out seedlings*
- Corn – Sow direct*
- Cucumber – Sow direct*, in punnets* or plant out seedlings
- Eggplant – Plant out seedlings*
- Kale – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
- Kohlrabi – Sow direct (CM)
- Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
- Leek – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Okra – Sow direct*
- Pumpkin – Sow direct*, in punnets* or plant out seedlings
- Radish – Sow direct
- Rhubarb – Sow direct*
- Rocket – Sow direct (HS)
- Silverbeet – Sow direct in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Spinach – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
- Swede – Sow direct
- Tomato – Plant out seedlings*
- Turnip – Sow direct
- Watermelon – Sow direct*
- Zucchini – Sow direct*, in punnets* or plant out seedlings
- Herbs – Chives,Basil – Sow direct*
- Pollinating flowers – Sweet Alyssum, Nasturtium, Sunflower or Calendula sow direct or Marigolds Cosmos or Zinnia sow direct* or in punnets*
HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.
CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.
* Last chance to plant or sow
In Temperate Climates
- Asian Greens – Sow direct
- Beans – Sow direct
- Beetroot – Sow direct
- Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
- Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM)
- Capsicum – Plant out seedlings
- Carrots – Sow direct
- Cauliflower – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Corn – Sow direct
- Cucumber – Sow direct*
- Eggplant – Plant out seedlings
- Kohlrabi – Sow direct (CM) (HS)
- Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
- Leek – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Luffa – Sow direct*
- Mizuna – Sow direct (HS)
- Mustard Greens – Sow direct
- Pumpkin – Plant out seedlings*
- Radish – Sow direct
- Rocket – Sow direct (HS)
- Rhubarb – Sow direct
- Silverbeet – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
- Spinach – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
- Swede – Sow direct
- Tomato – Plant out seedlings*
- Turnip – Sow direct
- Watermelon – Sow direct*
- Zucchini – Sow direct*
- Herbs – Chives – Sow direct*, Basil, Marjoram– Sow direct or in punnets*
- Pollinating flowers – Sweet Alyssum, Nasturtium, Sunflower or Calendula sow direct* or Marigolds, Cosmos or Zinnia sow in direct or in punnets*
HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.
CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.
* Last chance to plant or sow
In Hot/Arid Climates
- Asian Greens – Sow direct (HS)
- Beans – Sow direct
- Capsicum – Plant out seedlings*
- Carrots – Sow direct
- Chilli – Plant out seedlings*
- Corn – Sow direct
- Cucumber – Sow direct*
- Eggplant – Plant out seedlings*
- Leeks – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Malabar Spinach – Sow direct*
- Mustard Greens – Sow direct (HS)
- Pumpkin – Sow direct*
- Radish – Sow direct
- Tomato – Plant out seedlings*
- Tomatillo – Plant out seedlings*
- Watermelon – Sow direct*
- Zucchini – Sow direct
- Herbs – Chives sow direct, Basil Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Pollinating flowers – Sweet Alyssum, Nasturtium, Sunflower or Calendula sow direct* or plant out seedlings. Marigolds or Zinnia sow direct*, in punnets* or plant out seedlings.
HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.
CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.
* Last chance to plant or sow
In Tropical Climates
- Asian Greens – Sow direct
- Beans (Snake only) – Sow direct
- Capsicum – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Chilli – Sow in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Corn – Sow direct
- Eggplant – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
- Luffa – Sow direct
- Mustard Greens – Sow direct
- Mizuna – Sow direct
- Okra – Sow direct
- Radish – Sow direct
- Rosella – Sow direct
- Malabar Spinach – Sow direct
- Herbs – Basil and can be sown direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings and Thyme – plant out seedlings
- Pollinating Flowers – Marigolds or Zinnia sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings. Sunflower or Calendula – Sow direct
* Last chance to plant or sow