It’s still January, but only just and I’ve just sown my January seeds. I’m not late, I’m just in time!

There’s not much to be sown this month, but it’s good to get started. All the seeds are now in the greenhouse, which is unheated with a propagator lid over the top of them, firstly to help keep the heat in, and secondly hopefully stop the mice for nibbling them.

I’m ready for this year, lots to do, and hopefully I can squeeze it all in. So here goes……

I got one of my seed trays, there are five sections per tray and they fit perfectly in the solid trays I have in the greenhouses. I find these work very well, but you can only buy them in bulk, so if you are part of a gardening group it might be worth thinking about.

The first seeds I sowed today were Leeks. The variety I find work well are Musselburgh. They’ve always grown well in the past and I don’t tend to have any issues with them.

Then it was on to the Exhibition Onions. I always used to buy sets, but sometimes they were a bit hit and miss. Since we’ve lived here, I sown them from seed and they tend to do much better. You do have to put a bit more effort into growing them, pricking out, potting on etc, but then you do that with most plants.

Here’s a video from a couple of years ago of me sowing various onions seeds and leek seeds.

I then sowed the first of the herbs, Dill. It’s a hardy annual so should be fine to sow now, if you want to leave it until early spring then do, but apparently it can be grown all year round. The seeds are a couple of years out of date so the germination rate might be a bit low. Still hopefully I’ll get some.

I was very kindly sent some Sweet Pea seeds from Lidcott Barn in Cornwall. So I sowed them as well. Thank you very much for sending them, and I’ll keep you posted on how they get on.

Just before I came in for the day I sowed some mustard and cress on some compost in a little plant saucer. This is now on the window sill in the lounge and will be the first thing that I’ll be harvesting this year. Mustard and Cress can be sown all year round, and is great for kids to grow because they can see it germinating as it is sprinkled on top of the soil and not covered.

Well with all those other things I’ve done today I feel I need to have a beer while I make a curry for dinner.

This is just the beginning of 2021 and I’ve been so busy already. I know the year will only get busier, just wondering how I’ll fit everything in. I’m sure I will, I’m Claire’s Allotment!

Take care and stay safe and well.

Happy gardening!!