Well, after last winter we don’t really know what to expect from January 2019! It may be snowy, hailing, frosty, windy, warm, dry or rainy from time to time, but there’s always something going on in the veg patch.
Jobs to do:
- Top up compost – if you haven’t already done this, cover any empty beds with a layer of well-rotted organic manure OR compost. This’ll help improve your soil ready for spring.
- Watch out for the first shoots from rhubarb, and pop a rhubarb forcer over them when they appear. This’ll give you an earlier, juicier harvest.
- Mulch fruit plants and keep them protected from frost and snow. You can prune them this month too.
- Remove the yellowing leaves from brassicas (particularly brussels sprouts) to keep your veg disease free.
- Stake any taller brassicas to help them withstand strong winds.
- Start repairing and preparing – fix up any damaged greenhouse panes, broken shed doors etc and make a start on getting new beds in place.
- This is a good time to plan for spring planting – take a look at what is available and think about what you’d like to grow and how much space you have. A quick sketch is a good way of visualising where you can plant your veggies and will help work out how much you can fit in!
Harvesting:
If you’ve been growing over the winter then there should be plenty of produce to enjoy now. Winter salads, spinaches and lettuces can be picked as a cut & come again. Leeks can be pulled up as you want them. Celeriac and parsnips should be ready now too. You may still have the last of sprouting broccoli and cabbages to enjoy, as well as brussels sprouts. Winter Greens may need a little longer, but harvest them as soon as they reach a good size. Spring greens and spring onions won’t be ready until the first signs of spring.