What Vegetable Seeds To Sow In January

January can feel like the quietest month in the garden, but it’s actually the perfect time to get a head start. Starting seeds indoors now gives you a jump on the growing season and brings a little life to your home during the long winter days. From chillies and peppers under grow lights to fresh herbs on your windowsill, here’s everything you can sow this month.

Chillies Under Grow Lights

If you love a bit of spice, January is the ideal month to sow your chillies. These sun-loving, heat-loving plants need a long growing season, so starting them indoors under grow lights gives them the best chance of success.

• How to sow: Use small pots or seed trays filled with good-quality compost. Sow your seeds, keeping them moist and warm—around 25°C is perfect.
• Tip: Once seedlings sprout, move them to a brighter spot and support their growth with gentle pruning if they start to stretch.
• Next steps: By late spring, your chillies will be ready to move outdoors or into larger containers.

Peppers Under Grow Lights

Just like chillies, peppers need warmth and light to thrive. January sowing under grow lights ensures they get the long growing season they love.

• How to sow: Use small pots with well-draining compost. Keep the soil consistently moist and warm.
• Patience is key: Pepper seeds can take a little longer to germinate than chillies, but your care will be rewarded.
• Hardening off: Once seedlings are growing strong, gradually introduce them to cooler conditions before moving outside.

Aubergines Under Grow Lights

Aubergines are another slow starter that benefits from early indoor sowing.

• How to sow: Fill small pots with compost and keep the soil moist and warm. Use a grow light for extra brightness.
• Care tips: As seedlings grow, provide support to prevent leggy stems and ensure strong growth.
• Timeline: By late spring, your aubergines will be ready to transplant into larger pots or the greenhouse.

Celery Indoors

Celery may take a little longer to grow, but it’s worth the patience for fresh, crunchy stalks in summer.

• How to sow: Use shallow trays with well-draining, moist compost. Press tiny seeds lightly onto the surface, don’t cover them, as they need light to germinate.
• Temperature: Keep trays around 18–21°C and soil moist but not waterlogged.
• Growth: Within weeks, you’ll see shoots emerging, ready to grow strong indoors until it’s time to transplant outside.

Basil on Your Windowsill

Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow indoors and perfect for a sunny windowsill in January.

• How to sow: Scatter seeds on the soil surface of a small pot and press them gently in.
• Care tips: Keep the soil moist and place the pot somewhere warm and bright.
• Reward: Little green shoots will soon appear, giving you fresh leaves for cooking all year round.

Lettuce on Your Windowsill

Lettuce is fast-growing and thrives indoors in winter, making it perfect for January sowing.

• How to sow: Choose a compact variety suited for indoor growing. Scatter seeds lightly on soil in trays or containers.
• Care tips: Keep them in a cool, bright spot and water gently.
• Harvest: Pick leaves regularly to encourage new growth, giving you a constant supply of fresh greens.

Microgreens for Instant Harvest

If you want super quick results, microgreens are perfect.

• How to grow: Scatter seeds such as radish, mustard, or sunflower on a shallow tray of compost. Keep them moist.
• Timeline: Microgreens can be ready to harvest in just 7–14 days.
• Benefits: Packed with nutrients and flavour, they’re ideal for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes.

Edible Houseplants

For something a little more unusual, why not try edible houseplants?

• Ideas: Cactus Prickly Pear, Edible Tree Pink Velvet Banana, or Edible Houseplant Passionfruit.
• Care tips: Place on a bright windowsill or under a grow light. These plants will give you both beauty and homegrown produce indoors.

Explore all of our edible houseplant seeds HERE.

Starting seeds in January may seem slow, but it’s a wonderful way to bring life indoors during the dark winter months. With a little care and attention, you’ll have a head start on a garden full of flavour, colour, and bounty come spring. Grab your pots, compost, and seeds, and start sowing now, your future garden self will thank you!