January is usually a cold month, if the weather is particularly severe there may be little to do on the allotment, but 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.
- Order seed potatoes for chitting this month or next
- Force established rhubarb
- Sow broad beans (in pots if the ground is frozen) if you didn’t get around to it during autumn
- Prune blackcurrant and gooseberry bushes
- Top up empty beds with organic matter (if you haven’t already) before snow arrives
- Clean the greenhouse including pots and trays
- Plant fruit trees if weather allows
- Order or buy onion sets
- Cut autumn fruiting raspberry canes to just above ground level
Allotment Haven 