Demo GardenAdvice Fruit and Vegetable growing calendar

by GardenAdvice · Published 12/01/2026 · Updated 12/01/2026

Planting Garlic Cloves

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Here is a list of tasks for January and a general list

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January Tasks & Complete Growing Calendar

January Task List

Seeds to Start in January

Indoors/Under Cover:

Early sowings (heated propagator ideal): Chillies, Peppers, Aubergines (late January onwards)
Microgreens & Salads: Pak Choi, Lettuce (winter varieties), Radish (in cold frame)
Herbs: Basil (indoors on windowsill)

📚 Related GardenAdvice Resources:

Other January Tasks

Plant: Garlic cloves (if not done in autumn), bare-root fruit trees (Apple, Pear) and bushes (Blueberries, Redcurrant) during dormant period
Prune: Apple and Pear trees, Grape vines, Redcurrant bushes (while dormant)
Chit: Seed potatoes (from late January) – place in egg boxes in cool, light place
Prepare: Clean pots and seed trays, order seeds, plan crop rotation
Protect: Check fleece/cloches on winter crops, ensure asparagus crowns are mulched
Force: Rhubarb crowns for early harvest
Harvest: Brussels Sprouts, winter Kale, winter Cabbage, Leeks (if planted previous year)

Complete Planting Calendar by Crop

ROOT VEGETABLES

BEETROOT

Sow: April-July (successional sowings every 3-4 weeks)
Tips: Soak seeds overnight; needs well-drained soil; avoid fresh manure; thin to 10cm spacing; bolt-resistant varieties for early sowings

CARROTS

Sow: March-July (early varieties under fleece from Feb; maincrop April-May)
Tips: Direct sow in fine, stone-free soil; thin carefully (scent attracts carrot fly); cover with fleece/mesh for protection; successional sowing every 3 weeks

POTATOES

Chit: Late January-March
Plant: March-May (earlies: March; maincrop: April-May)
Tips: Earth up regularly; water well when flowering starts; harvest earlies when flowering, maincrop when foliage dies back

RADISH

Sow: March-September (successional sowings every 2 weeks)
Tips: Quick crop (3-4 weeks); sow thinly; keep moist; harvest promptly or becomes woody

SWEET POTATOES

Plant slips: Late May-early June (after all frost risk)
Tips: Needs hot, sunny position; grow in large containers or raised beds; harvest before first frost; cure tubers before storing

BRASSICAS

BROCCOLI

Sow: April-May (for autumn/winter harvest)
Plant out: June-July
Tips: Space 60cm apart; net against pigeons; water consistently; harvest main head then side shoots continue

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Sow: March-April
Plant out: May-June
Tips: Need long growing season; firm soil well; stake tall varieties; earth up stems; pick from bottom upwards

CABBAGE

Spring cabbage: Sow July-August
Summer cabbage: Sow March-April
Winter cabbage: Sow May-June
Tips: Firm planting essential; net against pigeons/butterflies; rotate to avoid clubroot; water consistently

CAULIFLOWER

Summer varieties: Sow March-April
Autumn varieties: Sow May-June
Winter varieties: Sow April-May
Tips: Needs rich, firm soil; never let dry out; protect curds from sun by bending leaves over; quite temperamental

KALE

Sow: April-June
Plant out: June-August
Tips: Very hardy; space 45-60cm; harvest leaves regularly for continued production; sweetens after frost; minimal care needed

PAK CHOI

Sow: March-September (avoid June/July – bolting risk)
Tips: Quick crop (30-40 days); bolt-resistant varieties for summer; keep well-watered; protect from slugs and flea beetles

ALLIUMS

GARLIC

Plant cloves: October-February (autumn planting best)
Tips: Plant individual cloves 10cm apart, 2-3cm deep; needs cold period (vernalization); harvest when leaves turn yellow (June-July)

LEEKS

Sow: February-April (indoors or outdoors)
Plant out: May-June
Tips: Transplant when pencil-thick; dibber-planting method; earth up for blanching; very hardy – harvest autumn through winter

ONIONS

From seed: Sow January-March (indoors); plant out April
From sets: Plant March-April
Tips: Sets easier for beginners; need sunny position; firm soil around sets; stop watering when bulbs form; harvest when foliage flops

SPRING ONIONS

Sow: March-September (successional sowings)
Tips: Quick crop (8 weeks); sow every 3 weeks; can sow under cover year-round; harvest when pencil-thick

SALADS & LEAFY GREENS

LETTUCE

Sow: March-September (successional sowings every 2-3 weeks)
Under cover: Year-round possible
Tips: Various types (cos, butterhead, loose-leaf); cut-and-come-again varieties productive; keep moist; shade in summer heat

SPINACH

Spring sowing: March-May
Autumn sowing: August-September
Tips: Bolts in hot weather; choose bolt-resistant varieties for summer; pick regularly; rich soil preferred

SQUASHES & FRUITING VEGETABLES

COURGETTES & MARROWS

Sow: April-May (indoors or outdoors after frost)
Plant out: Late May-June (after frost risk)
Tips: Space 90cm apart; very productive; harvest courgettes small (10-15cm); water consistently; feed weekly when fruiting

CUCUMBERS

Sow: April-May (indoors)
Plant out: Late May-June (greenhouse) or June (outdoors after frost)
Tips: Outdoor varieties less demanding; keep warm and humid; water regularly; feed weekly; train up supports

GHERKINS

Sow/Plant: As cucumbers
Tips: Essentially small cucumbers; pick frequently (stimulates production); climbing or bush varieties available

PUMPKINS

Sow: April-May (indoors)
Plant out: Late May-June
Tips: Need lots of space (1.5-2m spacing); feed and water generously; limit fruits to 2-3 per plant for larger pumpkins

PEAS & BEANS

PEAS

Early varieties: March-April
Maincrop: April-June
Autumn crop: July-August
Tips: Direct sow; support with pea sticks/netting; pick regularly for continued cropping; mulch to retain moisture

SWEETCORN

Sow: April-May (indoors or outdoors)
Plant out: Late May-June
Tips: Plant in blocks (not rows) for pollination; needs warm soil; one cob per plant typically; harvest when tassels turn brown

TENDER CROPS (Need Warmth/Protection)

AUBERGINES

Sow: January-March (heated propagator)
Plant out: May-June (greenhouse/polytunnel)
Tips: Need consistent heat; pinch out growing tip at 30cm; support plants; limit to 5-6 fruits per plant

BASIL

Sow: March-July (indoors or under cover)
Tips: Tender herb; needs warmth and sun; pinch out tips regularly; water from below; bring pots indoors for winter

CHILLIES & PEPPERS (Capsicum)

Sow: January-March (heated propagator essential)
Plant out: May-June (greenhouse best; outdoors only in warmest areas)
Tips: Long growing season; need heat and light; feed weekly when fruiting; support plants; pick peppers green or leave to ripen

MELONS

Sow: April-May (heated propagator)
Plant out: Late May-June (greenhouse/polytunnel)
Tips: Need consistent heat; train up supports; hand-pollinate; limit to 4-6 fruits per plant; support fruits in nets

OKRA

Sow: March-April (heated propagator)
Plant out: May-June (greenhouse essential)
Tips: Needs heat; pick pods young (7-10cm); wear gloves when handling; not easy in UK climate

TOMATOES

Sow: March-April (indoors)
Plant out: Late May-June (greenhouse or outdoors after frost)
Tips: Cordon vs bush types; pinch out side shoots (cordons); feed weekly with tomato fertilizer; water consistently

PERENNIAL VEGETABLES

ASPARAGUS

Plant crowns: March-April
Tips: Don’t harvest for first 2 years; then harvest spears for 6-8 weeks (April-June); mulch annually with compost; very long-lived

HERBS

CHIVES

Sow: March-August or divide existing clumps (spring/autumn)
Tips: Perennial; very easy; cut regularly for tender leaves; edible flowers; divide every 3-4 years

LEMON VERBENA

Plant: May (pot-grown plants after frost)
Tips: Tender perennial; needs protection in winter; aromatic leaves for tea; prune in spring

ROSEMARY

Plant: Spring or autumn (pot-grown plants)
Tips: Perennial evergreen; well-drained soil essential; drought-tolerant once established; prune after flowering

FRUIT

APPLES & PEARS

Plant bare-root: November-March (dormant period)
Plant container-grown: Any time (autumn/spring best)
Tips: Choose rootstock appropriate for space; prune in winter; thin fruits in June; harvest when ripe (taste test!)

BLUEBERRIES

Plant: Autumn-spring (container-grown)
Tips: Need acidic soil (ericaceous compost in pots); net against birds; water with rainwater (not tap water if hard); prune old wood

GRAPES

Plant vines: November-March (dormant)
Tips: Train on support system; prune in December-January; thin fruit bunches; need sunny, sheltered spot

KIWI FRUIT

Plant: Spring (container-grown)
Tips: Need male and female plants (or self-fertile variety); vigorous – needs strong support; prune in winter; protect from frost

LEMONS (Citrus)

Grow in pots: Plant any time; bring indoors for winter
Tips: Need frost protection; ericaceous compost; feed with citrus fertilizer; can fruit year-round

PASSION FRUIT

Plant: Spring (greenhouse)
Tips: Tender climber; needs heat and support; hand-pollinate; not easy in UK without heated greenhouse

REDCURRANTS

Plant: November-March (bare-root or container)
Tips: Prune in winter (leave fruit buds); net against birds; tolerates partial shade; pick entire clusters

STRAWBERRIES

Plant: August-September (best) or spring
Tips: Replace plants every 3-4 years; straw under fruits; net against birds; remove runners (unless propagating); feed after fruiting

Key Growing Tips Summary

Soil Preparation

Most vegetables: Well-drained, fertile soil; add compost/well-rotted manure in autumn
Root crops: Avoid fresh manure (causes forking); need fine, stone-free soil
Brassicas: Need firm soil; add lime if acidic (prevents clubroot)
Acid-lovers: Blueberries need pH 4.5-5.5; use ericaceous compost

📚 Related GardenAdvice Resources:

Growing Your Own Vegetables and Fruit for the First Time

Successional Sowing

For continuous harvests, sow every 2-4 weeks:

Salads (lettuce, radish, spring onions)
Beetroot, carrots, peas
Pak choi

Frost Dates

Last frost: Mid-May (varies by region – could be early June in Scotland)
First frost: Mid-October onwards
Tender crops (tomatoes, courgettes, peppers, etc.) only plant out after all frost risk

Protection Methods

Fleece: Brings forward harvests by 2-3 weeks; protects from light frost
Cloches: Individual plant protection
Netting: Essential for brassicas (butterflies), soft fruits (birds)
Mesh: Protects carrots from carrot fly, brassicas from flea beetles

📚 Related GardenAdvice Resources:

Watering & Feeding

Critical watering times: Flowering/fruiting (potatoes, peas, tomatoes, squashes)
Hungry feeders: Tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, pumpkins – weekly liquid feed during fruiting
Mulching: Retains moisture, suppresses weeds, adds fertility

Pest & Disease Management

📚 Comprehensive Pest Control Resources:

Key Methods:

Crop rotation: Move plant families to different beds each year (minimum 3-year rotation)
Companion planting: Marigolds with tomatoes; nasturtiums as sacrificial crops
Hygiene: Remove diseased material promptly; clean tools and pots
Organic methods: Hand-pick pests; encourage beneficial insects; use barriers/traps
Slug control: Beer traps, slug nematodes, vermiculite barriers, encourage hedgehogs and beetles

📚 Companion Planting Resources:

Grow More, Worry Less: The Art of Companion Planting

Planning & Crop Rotation

📚 Planning Resources:

Planning for a Vegetable Garden

Seed Sowing Techniques

📚 Seed Sowing Resources:

Harvesting

Pick regularly: Encourages continued production (courgettes, peas, beans)
Morning harvest: Best for salads and herbs (highest moisture content)
Storage: Cure squashes and sweet potatoes; store potatoes in darkness; hang onions/garlic to dry