Sow
Most sowing can wait. If experimenting with hardy crops, use only a small batch and follow a winter-suitable variety’s instructions.
Grow
Check overwintering plants, remove dead leaves and water according to actual compost moisture. Keep foliage away from cold glazing.
Harvest
Pick small quantities of established winter leaves. Leave enough foliage for the plant to continue through low-light weeks.
Jobs this month
Ventilate briefly on mild dry days, clear gutters safely and inspect anchoring after wind. Check the overnight minimum, not just the daytime reading.
Make your own growing notes
Record what you sowed, your overnight minimum temperature and how the plants responded. Check the compost below the surface before watering: the same calendar date can bring very different conditions from one year to the next. Use the seed packet’s variety-specific guidance alongside this monthly plan.
For tender crops, distinguish the warmth needed for germination from the conditions needed after seedlings emerge. For winter leaves, choose varieties intended for the season and allow for slower growth as daylight falls.
Further reading: RHS greenhouse vegetable growing.
What’s happening in your greenhouse?
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