What I'm sowing and growing in January

[@GordonjSmith1]

I am really enjoying watching people 'stretch' the planting and harvesting timescales. This video is an excellent example of 'trying something' and working out 'what works'. 'What works' seems to be the realisation that plants 'want' to grow' given reasonable conditions, and that our 'handed down' assumptions are a starting point, but not the 'final word' on what or when things can be planted. - Bravo to you! I look forward to seeing more.

[@SteveRichards]

Very true Gordon, but there's little point with some fruit and veg, because while they start early they don't 'fruit' early. I try to focus on things that will give me my favourite foods earlier, or free up germinating space that I need for higher value crops later in the season : All the best - Steve

[@ui2760]

Looking at the weather outside, I don't feel like getting started on this years gardening. This video was very helpful and motivated me to get started. Thank you.

[@SteveRichards]

pleased to help, nice weather here next week :-)

[@dianeirvine1384]

Two years ago I had Vietnamese student and didn't want to pay high price for salads so grew them in glass house after tomatoes came out, then last year grew in garden. They were a it tougher leaves, a bit more shelter they would be better, have things in ground most of year round. Getting better each year as I learn more. Thanks to all you guys.

[@SteveRichards]

Hi Diane, I've grown test salads outside to compare with the ones I grow in cold-frames and for me they last until mid-December before they die off, or the leaf quality makes them inedible, but with a bit of cover they do great. What varieties do you grow? : All the best - Steve

[@dorindamiddleton5418]

I just started some,broccoli rabe, lettuce, micro greens, sun flower micro greens, broccoli, romanesco, peas and set out potatoes to chit. Ah., also onions, borage and mushrooms. I can’t wait until spring! You have shown me that I can garden year round and I’m very thankful. Love your channel! God Bless!

[@SteveRichards]

Thanks Dorinda, that's very kind of you to mention. Have you tried the broccoli rabe before? I grew it at this time last year and it flowered at the same time as the PSB but was no where near as good, so we didn't eat it, migt give it a try at another time of ear though! : All the best - Steve

[@dorindamiddleton5418]

This is the first time I’ve grown the broccoli rabe. I get it from the farmers market though and it’s very good. I do live in the dessert though so heat might change the flavor. I’ve never started plants this early. I’m excited by the experiment.

[@SteveRichards]

@@dorindamiddleton5418 Do you eat the leaves too Dorina, steamed?

[@fionastokes2481]

So good of you to share your knowledge. Thanks for spending the time.

[@Sb-de8nr]

Hi..ive just been given my 1st polytunnel..ive just sown seeds in my 1st heated progagator...im a keen beginner and look 4ward to watchin all yr vids..happy weds!! Xx

[@SteveRichards]

That's where I was three years ago, you've a lot of fun ahead of you! : All the best - Steve

[@ThedawnchorusPlot]

Hello Steve it looks like you’re taking the lead in January for gardeners and growers, very informative a pleasure to watch I presume most of your plants outside have covered and you use the no dig method, A pleasure to watch look forward to your updates in the coming season regards Alan

[@SteveRichards]

Hi Alan, I kind of do the no-dig method, but I'm not as extreme as Charles Dowding, I just do what's easiest. I'm an 80/20 grower. I do the 20% of things that deliver 80% of the benefits, my focus is on maximising production and growing a huge variety of crops rather than perfection : All the best - Steve

[@50shadesofgreen]

awesome video today Steve !! fantastic info for what you are growing in jan !! thanks for sharing......Simon & Adam

[@SteveRichards]

Thanks for the kind words Simon, always there with encouragement! : All the best - Steve

[@dianeirvine1384]

Wow you are on to it, will have a go this coming winter to do more. Things do actually grow even if slower here in Invercargill we are bottom of the South Island New Zealand. Thanks for inspiration, keep up the good work, well done. Mike and Tony speak of you often I can see why. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@SteveRichards]

Hi Diane, so far away and so much in common : All the best - Steve

[@dorindamiddleton5418]

I do. I usually drizzle them with a little olive oil and roast them in a hot oven for ten to fifteen minutes. Then sprinkle them with a good sea salt.

[@kerryl4031]

Very impressed with your produce and your early start! Thank you for sharing.

[@SteveRichards]

I love the early and late stuff, that's really what I like making videos about the most : All the best - Steve

[@rodhalliwelloutabout.4161]

I like how you are challenging the norm. Great when it works & they have to re-write the books. It will be interesting on seeing how it turns out. Another informative video. Thanks for sharing.

[@SteveRichards]

Hi Rod, I think the norms are designed to increase the chances of success for people who just want to poke a seed in the ground. If you have the time and energy to mess around and nurture things a bit then there's loads of possibilities. The Victorian gardeners did amazing things, I'm using a few of their tricks and some modern conveniences : All the best - Steve

[@tinamagdaleena]

So incredibly helpful! Thank you!

[@SteveRichards]

my pleasure Tina, pleased it helped : All the best - Steve

[@kellynash8097]

Great informative video, thanks Steve.

[@sajadahmed1269]

Hi Steve As always very good information thankyou.

[@SteveRichards]

Thanks for the feedback Sajad : all the best - Steve

[@helensteventon3398]

Much appreciated video, very useful, as you say, anything is worth a go. I think I’m a bit behind you in North Yorkshire, Harrogate District. The Durham early and other brassicas doing ok in poly greenhouse. Next job, repot bigger tubs. I’m not a lettuce lover in the winter but I’ve spring onions and will start peas soon in tubs and later mid Feb some in guttering. Giant spinach been cropping all winter in poly greenhouse. I’ve had good success with early potatoes, saved some Swift (start indoors end Jan) and Nicola to do in tubs mid Feb. I’m having a move round in garden, so I’m not quite ground ready yet for vegetables. The ground I have been using and is already prepared is going to be used for new fruit bushes. Ben Hope and Ben Tirran black currents and Mid season raspberries, Glen doll thornless. You have inspired me to grow more fruit! Do you grow plums and which variety of cherry have you found good? Thanks Steve.

[@SteveRichards]

I'm growing swift too, but not for a few weeks, I found last year that the Charlotte did much better than the swift in the cold. Sounds like you have everything well planned, I couldn't cope without my big salad 365 days of the year! : All the best - Steve

[@SteveRichards]

I like Stella Cherries Helen, but I will eat any of them, I eat them just before they fully ripen, before the birds get them, they are sweet but with a tiny bit of tartness and very firm and crisp : All the best - Steve

[@Ajsallotment]

Your so efficient Steve I dont know how you do it, mind blowing how much you do 👍 So far in the ground I have broad beans some winter lettuce and spring onions and a small patch of garlic. I plan to sow my sweet peas and some lettuce this week if I get organised that is. 😊

[@SteveRichards]

Hi Aj, I spend a few rainy afternoons in winter doing a bit of organising and from then on I just wing it, I organise just enough so that everything is free and easy for the rest of the year. That said being retired from traditional work I am able to pop down to the plot most days for an hour and I try and do one small job a day : All the best - Steve

[@plantboy-newvideoseverywee7610]

Cant wait for spring!

[@SteveRichards]

Oh me too, although at the moment - I've got flu - I just ca't wait for next week! : All the best - Steve

[@ronaldandsusanshaws-growing]

A great video Steve, Plenty to digest there, I'll be getting my grow lightbox up and running today or tomorrow, Keep up the good work with these videos, Take care.

[@SteveRichards]

Thanks Ronald, you are competing with Simon for most supportive comments! : All the best - Steve

[@ronaldandsusanshaws-growing]

@@SteveRichards Hi Steve, I know that whatever Simon says it's from the heart, not just words, Take care.

[@dianeirvine1384]

You asked me what type I have growen in the past, corn salad lambs lettuce, cut and come again that's is a mixed one, and lettuce fancy leaf mix, also some different ones Charles Dowding said were good, I no longer have packets to look up, ended up giving all the garden group heaps to take home and share around as got carried away with sowing too many ha ha.

[@SteveRichards]

I think we are all guilty of planting too much Diane, I just make the excuse that it's an insurance policy against failure! : All the best - Steve

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Good stuff Steve. Just subscribed. Leeks and onions for me in early January. True what you say about tomatoes - it's not really worth the heartache for just a week earlier harvest. Steve

[@SteveRichards]

Thanks Mate, I will still try a few small bush tomatoes (Red Robin) and a couple of Sun Gold early as I can keep them frost free in the conservatory until I move them to the tunnel : All the best - Steve

[@carleatwell551]

excellent video full of usefull tips

[@sunriseseven4366]

Great informative video. Thanks.

[@ΚαλλιοπηΓαβαλα-φ9π]

Omg!! You are so organized. Well done!! I am currently growing, broccoli, some lettuces ( no so many as yours/ no space), broad beans, rainbow chard, some herbs indoors under growing light, carrots, leek's, cabbage, spring onions. Swede under cover, parsnips.. i think that's all. I want to ask you my friend. I was growing swede but unfortunately didn't turn round,but long like parsnip. Any idea what went wrong? My raised bed had enough light. Ph between 7-8 . Water in normal amounts. Last spring it was my first time I was showing swede. I don't know my current plants how they will come up. At the moment looking ok. I am 4 year's in UK (Eastbourne) I am from Greece and the weather there as you know is much different from here. Thank you for all suggestions and advises. Kalli

[@SteveRichards]

No idea about the swede I'm afraid, maybe contaminated seed in the packet : All the best - Steve

[@jembo1959]

Hi Steve how did you go about setting out your spreadsheet, it looks very well.Keeping track is great as there is a lot going on.

[@SteveRichards]

Hi Jimmy, follow the link in the description of one of my recent videos and you will find all of the details, here's November's kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5LbqGR7YtChl9U : All the best - Steve

[@joycebrown5440]

Hi Steve your planting guide looks amazing. Did you create it? Would you be kind enough to share a copy or let me know where I could get it. I followed your sowing calendar last year. TIA

[@SteveRichards]

I decided this year that I needed to invest more time into planning, but also keeping better records of how long things take to germinate, grow and harvest in early and late season, as well as over-wintering as the seed packets are useless for anything other than peak season. So I'm making a start on designing the tools for that. I will share what I have soon, but it's very much a work in progress. : All the best - Steve

[@23032malvernmick]

Very good Steve, where are you purchasing your seeds from, as I haven't seen some of the ones that your growing in this chart

[@SteveRichards]

Hi Mick, I don't use a single supplier. Follow the link in this year's video description kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqLdkKOna72ka7s I have added all the seed packet info : All the best - Steve

[@carolparrish194]

I was always told that you couldn't transplant carrots. Since they take so long to grow I might try starting them indoors and put them in the ground in the spring. I am very interested to see how youe carrots do.

[@SteveRichards]

Hi Carol, I'm not transplanting them, I'm growing them in deep containers, you will see examples in my 'whats in the allotment store' video which is due soon : All the best - Steve

[@SR81K9]

Done the chilli's yesterday 👍

[@MuddyBootz]

Hello Steve, looks like you are well prepared for the season. I may try some Salanova for this year. Have you tried Mole seeds??? they are great value for money and ideal for dividing into smaller packets for sale on your site. Being so close to the coast, do you ever bother collecting washed up seaweed? Cheers. Nigel

[@SteveRichards]

I've not tried Mole seeds Nigel, our allotment committee aren't interested in a supplies shop on site as they don't think there is demand, looks like a good company and range though so I will have a browse. I buy my seeds from lots of different suppliers (mostly via Amazon, because I like that they keep a record of what I bought when). I feel reasonably well prepared, but the more I learn the more I see how I could do better, so I'm never complacent. I do collect seaweed from my local beech (5 mins walk) but that's only plentiful after a bad storm, 20 minutes drive up the coast is more plentiful and when we go walking we often take a few bin bags full. I wash it down on the patio, chop it up and add it to my main compost bins when I turn them. I also buy seaweed meal. : All the best - Steve

[@springkaye8280]

What zone are you in Steve ? What are you temperatures and what temp do you put them out in the polytunnel ??

[@SteveRichards]

We don’t tend to use zones much here, but I think we are 8. There’s not much science to when they go in the tunnel, it’s when they’ve broken surface and I need the space. That will be early March, we definitely still have frosts then so they will be protected by two layers of fleece : all the best - Steve

[@carolcurley7840]

Hi Steve. I plan to follow what you are doing in the conservatory but I have underfloor heating in there. Is it best to raise the potatoes etc off the floor or will direct on the floor be okay. We have tiles on the floor. Thanks. Great video and persuaded me to get cracking.

[@SteveRichards]

It might be a little warm for them, you could put some folded cardboard or similar under the pots : all the best - Steve

[@carolcurley7840]

Thanks Steve.

[@marygorchidsmore2058]

Hi Steve, Happy New year! Thanks for this informative video. I was really surprised to see you still got those lovely fresh tomatoes ( on your last video). Do you live down South in Devon by any chance? Although this year we had a good hot summer and we had tomatoes from our allotment up until November, but I never thought it's possible to have fresh tomato in December, even in a poly tunnel! Thanks for sharing your sowing program at this time of year. I usually start mid to end of February. Looking forward to see your updates. Happy growing.

[@SteveRichards]

Hi Mary, no I live in the North West of England, Lytham St Annes no advantage from location here, but I did sow them late in the year and move them to the conservatory in October as it's too cold in the polytunnel here in November and I needed the space in October for all of the winter polytunnel veg : All the best - Steve

[@georgeslade7217]

Hi Mary, I live in North Devon and still had tomatoes growing on the patio till the middle of November. Don't have a greenhouse yet .

[@flowersandveggies8941]

Hi Steve, what website do you buy your seeds?... It looks you have good germination everytime...

[@SteveRichards]

I actually buy my seeds from Amazon, all sorts of different suppliers, often Premier and Kings, but also suttons and marshals. I also buy from a few specialists to get specific varieties. I get good germination by sowing two or three seeds to a plug and then thinning out as I almost never get through the seed packet within 2-3 years, I don't worry about waste. I like buying from Amazon as I have one place where I can search for past purchases : All the best - Steve

[@SteveRichards]

I should also say that I do break my Amazon rule sometimes, especially when the Wilco sale is on, I pick up all the basics for pennies there!

[@flowersandveggies8941]

Thank for your reply much appreciated....😊.... I also have an allotment here in Preston...😁😁

[@SteveRichards]

oh that's cool, you must let me know if you have an open day and maybe consider coming to our open day, we have a bit party on jennie's plot with home made food etc : All the best - Steve

[@denpictor8992]

Hi do you suffer from condensation in your poly at this time of year, I'm finding it to be a problem and things damping off.

[@SteveRichards]

Hi Den, there's always going to be condensation, however I do three things. Whenever it's above freezing I always leave one of the doors 6" open at night and I have sprayed the inside of the polythene with www.firsttunnels.co.uk/spare-accessoriesDetail/sun-clear-568ml this is hydrophilic and results in the water forming a thin uniform layer on the polythene rather than drops (that drip). It lets more light in too. I also open both doors during the day, when I can get down to the plot, even if it's only for an hour. : All the best - Steve

[@yvetteklaus]

moin moin, aus Hamburg :D