Allotment Jobs For January

Now is the perfect time to plan for the busy year ahead! Browse seed catalogues and plan what you’re going to grow and where, drawing a plan of your plot can help. If you’re a busy person, think about how much time you can realistically spend at your allotment, try to plan accordingly, avoiding the mistake of growing too much all at once. It’s easy to become overwhelmed, especially if you’re a beginner, far better to choose crops that you enjoy eating or find easy to grow. Add more to your list as your confidence grows.

Here are some jobs to be getting on with in January:

Draw a plan of your plot (or use an online planner such as VegPlotter) and decide what to grow and where. It does help to be a little more organised!
Sort through your seed packets and make a list of what you need for the new growing year.
Order seed potatoes online or buy locally for chitting this month or next
Force established rhubarb for an earlier crop
Sow broad beans (in pots if the ground is frozen) if you didn’t get around to it during autumn
Prune currant and gooseberry bushes
Top up empty beds with organic matter (if you haven’t already) before snow arrives
Clean the greenhouse glass and pots and trays
Plant fruit trees if weather allows
Order or buy onion sets
Cut autumn fruiting raspberry canes to just above ground level, I keep the pruned canes to use as pea supports in spring!