Even if it’s still cold, you can take advantage of the warm temperatures inside to plant seedlings. Don’t miss our top tips for growing healthy seedlings, plus a list of our favorite seeds to plant in January.
Tropical fruits like eggplants and chili peppers do well with early planting, but if they lack natural light and temperatures are variable, seedlings can become weak. Minimize your risk of so-called “seedbed rot” (a fungal disease that causes seedlings to fall over) with these top five tips:
- Be sure to use new pots or thoroughly sterilize pots and trays that have been used in the past.
- Use high-quality, peat-free seed compost. Garden soil can harbor all kinds of fungal spores, so it’s critical to use a sterile potting mix.
- Don’t forget to leave space between the seedlings so that there is enough air circulation.
- Water the seedlings from the bottom and remove excess water when the soil is moist.
- Add a thin layer of gravel to the surface of the potting soil. This will help keep the surface dry.
The 8 Best Seeds to Sow in January
Dahlias
This plant is famous for its cheerful colors and eye-catching petals. If you plant the seeds in January, you can expect them to bloom from July to November.
- Sow 1 to 2 seeds in cells or small pots
- Uses seed compost and 10% vermiculite
- Ideal temperature: 18 to 21 °C
- Germination: approx. 5 to 20 days
Sweet peas
This popular and beloved plant is characterized by its delicate petals and sweet aroma. It blooms for four months, between May and August.
- Sow the seeds 6 cm deep in tubes or 7 cm pots
- Use seed compost and 10% gravel
- Ideal temperature: 12°C in an unheated greenhouse or cold chest of drawers
- Germination: 10 to 14 days
Knightspur
The larkspur brings a distinctive touch to flower beds with its bold colors and impressive stature, reaching heights of more than two meters. It blooms between June and July.
- Sow the larkspur shallow in seed compost trays
- Lightly coat with 10% vermiculite
- Ideal temperature: Keep refrigerated for three weeks, then between 15 and 21°C
- Germination: 7 to 28 days
Geraniums
Geraniums are native to South Africa and have around 250 wild species. Its showy flowers bloom from June to November.
- Sow the seeds shallowly, just below the surface, in small seed trays
- Use seed compost and 10% gravel
- Ideal temperature: 24°C
- Germination: 3 to 12 days
Petunias
Petunias offer a wide variety of petunia colors and shapes and there are two main types: bushy and upright, making them ideal for pots and flower beds. They bloom from late June to September.
- Sow the petunias shallow on the surface, in small seed compost trays
- Sprinkle lightly with vermiculite to coat
- Light is essential for petunias to grow
- Ideal temperature: 24 to 27 °C
- Germination: 14 days
Coleus
Coleus features striking foliage with color combinations including green, yellow, pink, and red. It looks gorgeous from June.
- Sow shallow in pots or in a tray with seed compost
- Uses 10% vermiculite, covering to its own depth
- Ideal temperature: 19 to 24 °C
- Germination: 10 to 20 days (depending on temperature)
Basil
An herb with a wonderful aroma, as well as being an ideal ingredient for salads and pasta dishes. Plant the seeds in January and you’ll be able to harvest the delicious leaves between May and October.
- Shallow sowing in seed compost on the surface of pots or trays
- Lightly coat with vermiculite
- Ideal temperature: 15 to 25 °C
- Germination: 14 to 21 days
Chili peppers and aubergines
Chili peppers and eggplants are often mistaken for vegetables, but they are actually fruits. They are staples in most kitchens, are easy to grow, and can be harvested between July and October.
- Shallow 2 to 3 seeds for each small individual pot
- Use seed compost and 10% gardening sand
- Cover to the depth of the plant with vermiculite
- Ideal temperature: 21 to 27 °C
- Germination: 3 to 10 days