The easiest seeds to sow in winter
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You may think that your garden is now closed until spring, but you can still be sowing seeds in January and February in preparation for a rich harvest later in the year. “These months offer an excellent opportunity to prepare for the growing season by sowing seeds indoors or in a greenhouse,” says grow-your-own expert Huw Richards, author and popular YouTuber whose gardening channel has over 750k subscribers.
“Winter sowing offers more than just practical benefits; it keeps your gardening spirit alive during the darker months,” he says. “By starting seeds now, you’re not only giving your plants a head start but also nurturing a sense of anticipation and optimism for the growing season ahead. There’s nothing quite like seeing those first green shoots appear on a chilly winter morning – a promise of the abundance to come.”.
Here, he offers tips on seeds to sow in winter. 1. Broad beans. Broad beans are a classic winter choice, he suggests. Varieties like ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ are particularly well-suited to these colder months. “Hardy and early-maturing, they’re capable of withstanding frost and low temperatures. I recommend sowing them in pots or modules indoors or in a greenhouse to protect them from the worst of the weather.”.
Field beans sold in the ‘green manures’ part of the seed shelves in your local garden centre are a delicious and often more productive alternative to the more commonly known broad beans, he adds. 2. Chillies and peppers. “If there’s one crop that rewards early sowing, it’s chillies and peppers. They require a long growing season, so starting them indoors now is essential,” he advises. Use a propagator or place the pots in a warm, sunny spot.
