Next 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗽 for seed sowing success: 9⃣Don’t over/underwater Some types of compost are particularly difficult to gauge how moist it is. Coir compost sometimes dries out on the surface but can still be quite damp underneath. Pushing your finger in is often the best way

Next 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗽 for seed sowing success 🌱 8️⃣ Avoid water butt water for seedlings. Freshly sown seeds can be sensitive to pathogens. Use tap water or fresh rainwater at first. Once seedlings are stronger, it’s less of an issue.

Next of our 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 for seed sowing success: 7️⃣ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳𝗳 Damping off makes seedlings rot and collapse. Avoid overwatering, use clean trays and sterile compost. Cooled chamomile tea may help as a preventative. 🌱

Next 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗽 for seed sowing success 🌱 6️⃣ Keep watering cans & misting bottles clean. Disinfect occasionally with a product like Agralan Citrox — a citrus-based cleaner safe for equipment used on seeds and seedlings. More tips in our feed 👀

Next 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗽 for seed sowing success 🌱 5️⃣ Use a free-draining compost. Check the bag — some multipurpose composts aren’t ideal for sowing. Look for seed compost (e.g. John Innes) that drains well, holds moisture and isn’t too nutrient-rich. Or make your own.

Next 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗽 for seed sowing success: 4️⃣ Use clean trays and pots It is always good practice to clean seed trays, pots or cell trays before using for sowing seeds. A wash in some soapy water and then rinsing well will suffice or you could use something like Citrox.

Next 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗽 for seed sowing success 🌱 3️⃣ Water from the base to avoid disturbing small seeds. Sit pots in a tray of water & let them soak it up through the drain holes. Once compost darkens, lift out & let drain. This evenly moistens compost without washing seeds away.

The next of our 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 for seed sowing success: 2️⃣ Mix seed with sand To sow fine seeds mix the seed with some very fine, dry horticultural sand and sprinkle the sand over the surface of the pot. It can help evenly spread the seed and you can see where you have sown.

Over the next few days we’ll share top tips for seed sowing🌱 1️⃣ Avoid oversowing pots or trays If you plan to pot seedlings, don’t sow too thickly. Crowded seedlings are hard to lift & separate. Be sparing with seed, use extra small pots or trays rather than overfilling one.

🌱 𝙆𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙏𝙄𝙋 🌱 Start Seeds Under Cover Tomatoes, chillies, peppers and aubergines can be started in a heated propagator. Use fresh seed compost and maintain steady warmth. Good light is essential. Warmth without sufficient light leads to leggy seedlings.

Prune Raspberries If not already done, cut autumn-fruiting raspberry canes down to ground level. These varieties fruit on new growth produced this year, so removing old canes encourages strong new shoots. Avoid heavy treading on saturated soil to prevent compaction.

🌱 𝙆𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙏𝙄𝙋 🌱 Strawberry Bed Maintenance 🍓 Remove old leaves, clear debris and check crowns are sitting at soil level (not buried). If frost has lifted plants, gently firm them back in. Apply a balanced general fertiliser if soil conditions allow.

🌱 𝙆𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙏𝙄𝙋 🌱 Plant Onion Sets and Shallots (With Drainage in Mind) Plant so just the tip shows above soil level and firm them in. In waterlogged or heavy clay soil, consider delaying planting or using raised beds to improve drainage.

𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗳𝗳 With soil temp (around 10–12°C) & no hard frost forecast • 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 • 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝘀 (early varieties) • 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗵 • 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 • 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗵 👉 Soil squelches? leave it. If it crumbles, sow it.

Here's a little story unfolding: Unboxing of the lovely hawthorn 'hedglings' from The Woodland Trust to put at the bottom of the plot, for nature and for wind protection! Then, where they were going, how they looked after, and interested onlookers!

As we head towards March, remember: 🌱 Soil temperature — not air temperature It might feel milder, but cold soil slows germination and root growth. Your ground can still be very cold and wet well into March.

We're ramping up the wind protection at the bottom of the plot - just received these very healthy-looking hawthorns from The Woodland Trust 🫶 #kitchengarden #growing #growyourown #gardening #plot #allotment #growyourownfood #allotmentsuk #homegrown #garden #gardenlove #gardeninspiration

If you fancy a bit of audio-visual advice, jump on our website and L👀K under 'VIDEOS'. 🫶 #kitchengarden #growing #growyourown #gardening #plot #allotment #growyourownfood #allotmentsuk #homegrown #garden #gardenlove #gardeninspiration

On your plot" Peggy-Jane Murrell: "Seed snails planted with leeks, mustard, onions, onion sets, garlic, peas. Sowed delphinium & peas for shoots. Indoors: hydroponic propagator with red lettuce, mustard and Lollo Rossa. Heated propagators have chilli, toms, aubergine & pepper."

PSSST! For tomorrow... Feel free to tag a special one in one of these, or steal 'em and send 'em 💕

KG follower Hannah Bance: In my dining room! Tomatoes, Biquinho Chillies and sweet peas. Potatoes chitting nicely. Starting some flower seeds off this weekend and some tabletop tomato varieties. And planting a cherry tree!

🐞 We’ve currently got a 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗱𝘆𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 settling in to hibernate! Their numbers are building by the day as they tuck themselves into a sheltered spot. And come spring? They’ll be hard at work eating aphids, keeping pests under control naturally.

We've put together a whole series of guides you can download for FREE! Just pop to our website and look under 'GUIDES' 🔥 #kitchengarden #growing #growyourown #gardening #plot #allotment #growyourownfood #allotmentsuk #homegrown #garden #gardenlove #gardeninspiration

Ventilate under cover spaces, including greenhouses, polytunnels and cloches, to reduce the risk of mould and mildew. This also allows early insects the opportunity to forage on any flowering plants in there. Remember to close them up again mid-afternoon before the temperatures start to fall.

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁! Tired of guesswork? Get accurate planting dates for your exact location with VegPlotter: Online Vegetable Garden and Allotment Planner. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗞𝗚𝟮𝟱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟭 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝗯 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘! vegplotter.com?kg25

Words of Wisdom on a wet, boggy Monday evening 😉 😂 #kitchengarden #growing #growyourown #gardening #plot #allotment #growyourownfood #allotmentsuk #homegrown #garden #gardenlove #gardeninspiration

PINCHED! from the February issue of Kitchen Garden Magazine. Great multi-sowing advice from Stephanie Hafferty 🫶 #kitchengarden #growing #growyourown #gardening #plot #allotment #growyourownfood #allotmentsuk #homegrown #garden #gardenlove #gardeninspiration

🌱 𝙆𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙏𝙄𝙋 🌱 Order asparagus... Asparagus is the royalty of vegetables. Order in some crowns to plant in March. Prepare ground now by digging in plenty of well-rotted compost. #kitchengarden #growing #growyourown #gardening #plot #allotment #growyourownfood

February! 🌱PLANT NOW: Garlic, Jerusalem artichoke, rhubarb, shallots, soft and tree fruits

SOW NOW 🌱 Aubergine, broad beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, summer cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chillies, cucumber, kohl rabi, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, radish, salad leaves, spinach, spring onion, tomato, turnips

🌱 𝙆𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙏𝙄𝙋 🌱 🌤️ Sow hardy crops (mild areas only) In milder parts of the UK, hardy crops such as broad beans, carrots, parsnips, spinach and salads can be sown outdoors on light soils. Heavy clay? Best to wait. 👉 Always match sowing to your soil and local weather. #KitchenGarden #HardyVeg

Just in case you felt chilly - this was the allotment of Colin Smith back in 2010! Who remembers the weather that year? 🥶 #kitchengarden #growing #growyourown #gardening #plot #allotment #growyourownfood #allotmentsuk #homegrown #garden #gardenlove #gardeninspiration

🌱 The February issue of Kitchen Garden is out now! Get ahead with early peas, chitting potatoes, indoor seedlings and practical fixes for problem soils. Real advice for UK growers, right when you need it. 📖 On sale now #KitchenGarden #GrowYourOwn #FebruaryGardening #Allotment

🌱 𝙆𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙏𝙄𝙋 🌱 🍅 Start tomatoes at the right time From mid‑February, tomatoes and other tender crops can be sown for greenhouse growing. Earlier sowing often leads to weak, leggy plants without enough light. 👉 Timing is everything. #KitchenGarden #Tomatoes #SeedSowing #Greenhouse

🌱 𝙆𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙏𝙄𝙋 🌱 🥔 Chit your early potatoes It’s time to chit (sprout) early seed potatoes. Place them in a cool, bright, frost‑free spot so they develop strong, sturdy shoots ready for planting later. 👉 Getting this right now means a better start and stronger crops in spring.

Kitchen Garden Magazine follower Janey Noakes has been busy with Fig Tree cuttings! Keep us updated with the progress Janey! #kitchengarden #growing #growyourown #gardening #plot #allotment #growyourownfood #allotmentsuk #homegrown #garden #gardenlove #gardeninspiration

🌱 𝙆𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙏𝙄𝙋 🌱 Soil testing time 🧪 Simple pH tests now help you match crops to beds — especially useful for veg like brassicas and onions. www.kitchengarden.co.uk/product-revi... #KitchenGarden #SoilTesting #GrowYourOwn #GardeningTips

🌱 𝙆𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙏𝙄𝙋 🌱 Prune soft fruit carefully 🍇 Blackcurrants benefit from removing old wood in winter — a tidy job that boosts summer yields. #KitchenGarden #SoftFruit #WinterPruning #GrowYourOwn

🌱 𝙆𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙏𝙄𝙋 🌱 Inspect brassicas regularly 🥬 Winter cabbage, kale and sprouts can still suffer wind rock — firm plants back in gently if roots loosen. #KitchenGarden #Brassicas #GrowYourOwn #WinterVeg

🧤 Protecting plants from winter winds Cold winds do more damage than frost. • Use fleece on exposed beds • Move pots against walls • Group containers together Shelter makes a huge difference 🌬️

✂️ What to prune in January (UK) Now is a good time for: • Apple trees • Pear trees • Currants & gooseberries 🚫 Avoid stone fruit (plums, cherries) until summer. Sharp tools + dry day = best results.

❄️ Frost isn’t the enemy — waterlogging is Most winter losses in UK gardens come from soggy soil, not cold. 💡 Tip: If your soil squelches underfoot, stay off it. Compaction now causes problems all year.

Jan jobs you can do right now Don’t let winter fool you — Jan is a planning month, not a dead one. ✔️ Check stored crops for rot ✔️ Ventilate greenhouses on sunny days ✔️ Clean seed trays and pots ✔️ Order seeds (early chillies sell out fast!) Small jobs now = less panic later

Another Kitchen Garden Magazine shout-out to our great contributors! This time it's Sarah Purcer 🫶 #kitchengarden #growing #growyourown #gardening #plot #allotment #growyourownfood #allotmentsuk #homegrown #garden #gardenlove #gardeninspiration

From KG follower Bill Birkbeck: "Despite the cold weather, I'm cracking on with my 7 raised bed vegetable section, which I'm packing out with tree branches and mulch ( so not to use so much compost ) and having a burning bin bonfire 🔥 to warm the hands." What are you up to? Photos if you have them!

Just me and the pigeons looking at the frozen plot with lots of work to be done! How's your plot looking in this weather? Let's share photos 🫶

Another Kitchen Garden Magazine shout-out to our great contributors! This time it's Becky Searle🫶 #kitchengarden #growing #growyourown #gardening #plot #allotment #growyourownfood #allotmentsuk #homegrown #garden #gardenlove #gardeninspiration

𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗦 Especially important for those growing away from their homes. Be prepared and ready to take action, cover crops and tie down equipment...💨🌨

Another of the wonderful contributors to Kitchen Garden Magazine, Stephanie Hafferty 🫶🌱 #kitchengarden #growing #growyourown #gardening #plot #allotment #growyourownfood #allotmentsuk #homegrown #garden #gardenlove #gardeninspiration

🌿🎆 Happy New Year 2026 from Kitchen Garden Magazine! 🎆🌿 Thanks to all our readers and growers 🙌 Here’s to a year of healthy harvests and happy growing 🌱🥕