What Vegetable Seeds To Sow In January

While January might seem like a quiet month in the garden, it’s the perfect time to get a head start on some of your favourite crops. With the right care and a little patience, you can begin sowing indoors and be ready for a bumper harvest come spring and summer. Here’s what you can start sowing this month, from vibrant chillies to leafy microgreens, all with the promise of a garden full of flavour and life.

Chillies Under Grow Lights

If you’re a fan of spice, January is the perfect time to start sowing your chillies. These warm-loving plants need a long growing season, so the earlier you start, the better. Set up a grow light indoors to give your seeds the warmth and light they need to thrive. Sow the seeds in small pots or seed trays with good-quality compost, ensuring they stay moist and warm (around 25°C is ideal). As they sprout, move them to a brighter spot and keep an eye on their progress. By late spring, you’ll have sturdy plants ready to move outdoors or into larger containers. You can watch our YouTube video that dives deeper into how to sow and grow chillies HERE.

Peppers Under Grow Lights

Much like chillies, peppers love heat and light, so they’ll do well under grow lights this January. Sow your pepper seeds in small pots with a good, well-draining compost, making sure they’re kept warm and consistently moist. Peppers can take a little longer to germinate, so patience is key. Once the seeds sprout and grow a bit taller, you can start hardening them off by gradually introducing them to cooler conditions. Before long, your peppers will be on their way to a colourful harvest. You can watch our YouTube video that dives deeper into how to sow and grow peppers HERE.

Aubergines Under Grow Lights

Aubergines are another slow starter that need a warm, sunny spot to really thrive. January is the ideal time to get them going indoors. Just like chillies and peppers, aubergines need light to grow strong and sturdy, so a grow light will give them the boost they need. Sow the seeds in small pots and keep the soil moist and warm. As the seedlings grow, keep them in a bright spot and be sure to support them with tall stems to avoid leggy growth. In a few months, you’ll have beautiful aubergine plants ready to transplant once the weather warms. Watch our YouTube video about how to sow and grow aubergines HERE.

Celery

Celery is a bit slower to grow, but it’s well worth the wait. Start sowing your celery seeds in shallow trays with moist, well-draining compost. The tiny seeds need light to germinate, so just press them gently into the soil surface without covering them. Keep the trays in a warm spot, ideally around 18°C to 21°C, and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. In a few weeks, you’ll see the first shoots appear. Celery can be tricky, but with a little care, you’ll have plants ready to transplant when the warmer weather arrives. You can watch our YouTube video on sowing and growing celery HERE.

Basil on Your Windowsill

Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow, and January is the perfect time to start it on your windowsill. Fill a small pot with compost, scatter the tiny basil seeds on top, and gently press them into the soil. Basil loves the warmth, so choose a sunny windowsill where it can soak up the light. Keep the soil moist, and you’ll see little green shoots appear in no time. Basil will be ready to harvest before you know it, and you’ll have fresh leaves to add to your cooking all year round. Watch our how to sow and grow basil video HERE.

Lettuce on Your Windowsill

Lettuce is a fast-growing, cool-loving plant that thrives in the winter months, making it perfect for growing indoors in January. You can easily sow lettuce on your windowsill in small trays or containers. Choose a variety of lettuce that’s suited to indoor growing, and scatter the seeds lightly on the surface of the soil. Keep them in a cool, bright spot, and within a few weeks, you’ll have fresh, tender leaves to enjoy. Pick your lettuce regularly to encourage new growth, and you’ll have a constant supply of greens all winter long. Watch our video on how to sow and grow lettuce HERE.

Microgreens on Your Windowsill

If you’re looking for something even quicker, microgreens are the way to go. These tiny, nutrient-packed plants are perfect for growing indoors on your windowsill. You can grow microgreens from a variety of seeds, including radish, mustard, or sunflower. Simply sprinkle the seeds on a shallow tray filled with compost, press them down lightly, and keep them moist. Microgreens grow fast, and you’ll be harvesting in just 7–14 days. They’re perfect for adding a burst of fresh flavour to your meals, and they take up very little space.

Edible Houseplants

If you’re looking to grow something unique indoors, why not try edible houseplants? You can try Cactus Prickly Pear, which offers both a striking appearance and delicious fruit, or the Edible Tree Pink Velvet Banana, which can produce large orange yellow flowers are followed by miniature velvety skinned bright pink bananas. For something truly special, the Edible Houseplant Passionfruit is an intriguing choice with its vibrant fruits and aromatic vines. These plants will not only add beauty to your home but also provide you with fresh, homegrown food. Place them on a bright windowsill or under a grow light, and they’ll thrive indoors.

Edible Trees

If you’re dreaming of larger projects, January is the perfect time to start planning for edible trees. While these won’t be ready to harvest right away, starting trees indoors now will give them a strong head start. You can sow tree seeds, such as those from the unique Edible Tree Beef & Onion Tree or the festive Edible Tree Christmas Tree, in pots with well-draining compost, then keep them in a cool, bright space. With patience, you’ll be able to transplant your young trees outdoors when the weather warms up. By the time they mature, you’ll have a fruitful garden that will provide fresh produce for years to come.

Starting your seeds in January might seem like a slow beginning to the growing season, but it’s a wonderful way to bring life into your home during the dark winter months. With a little care and attention, these early sowings will give you a head start on a thriving garden full of flavor, beauty, and bounty come spring. So grab your pots, your compost, and your seeds, and get growing—your future self will thank you!