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It’s not surprising that so many of us suffer with the January blues. Now the Christmas glow has worn off, we’re left with a few extra pounds around our middles and a few less pounds in our pockets. January presents us with what seems like endless cold, wet and dark days without the comfort of mulled wine and twinkling fairy lights to lift our spirits. But we gardeners are a hardy bunch, and there’s plenty of January gardening tasks we can do to help us through the darker months and shake those blues away.
As part of our #GrowYourself campaign, we’re looking at how gardening in January can help see us through the winter, with potential to improve our mental and physical health and even grow something healthy to eat.
January is a time for little wins. The growing season hasn’t yet begun, so anything we sow or grow now is going to take its time. This is good though, since too long spent in a cold greenhouse in January will slow us gardeners down too. However, amazing gardens are made in winter. Doing some January gardening will not only help your garden thrive later in the year, but also keep you busy, hopeful, and creative. These are all powerful ways to enhance your mental well-being and grow yourself as well as your garden.
Gardening is a powerful act for bolstering our mental health, as any gardener can attest. It helps us to connect with nature and the rhythm of the seasons. It allows us to slow down and do something mindful. It also encourages us to think about the future.
Gardeners who aren’t afraid to go outside at this time of year often say it helps them “get through the winter” and keep their spirits up. Being outside in a natural environment can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and even a tiny sliver of sunlight can increase serotonin, one of the “happy hormones”. Moreover, gardening often involves some exercise, leaving us with that “tired but happy” feeling gardeners are so familiar with.
More indoor activities such as gardening planning, seed ordering and seed sowing all make us to think ahead. It conjures wonderful images of the garden yet to come, encourages creativity and inspires us into action.
Seed sowing is a great way to chase away those January blues. The simple act of putting a seed into the soil is so exciting. We can watch it transform into something so beautiful. Checking on your seeds is like waiting for a gift to arrive. If you listen carefully, you can hear the squeals of delight issuing from greenhouses up and down the country as the seeds burst into tiny young plants.
However, caution should be taken this time of year, because not all seeds sown in January will thrive. Be aware that light levels are still relatively low, which can cause seedlings to stretch up towards the light, creating weak, spindly stems that can’t support flowers or fruits. Similarly, some seeds need warmth to germinate and must be protected from cold when they become plants.
If you want to successfully sow seeds in January, consider using seedling heat mats, a heated propagator, and grow lights. This will help you grow strong, healthy plants, extend your growing season and delight in your successes.
When one of those crisp, late-winter days comes around, you want to be able to spring into action in your garden. Planning your garden now will not only give you a fun task to do on a cold winter’s day, but it’ll also help you know what to do when you’re able to return to the garden. You can plan what to sow, grow and plant, where to plant it, any layout changes, infrastructure upgrades or wild projects you want to do in your garden.
Doing a spot of planning can really help to excite us about the year to come. You don’t have to be an artist or know what you’re doing with gardening. Planning will allow you to make changes, learn and experiment without setting foot outside. So, take the time to plan something that will grow yourself as well as a beautiful outdoor space.
Why not try to get your partner, kids or grandchildren involved in this process too? Doing these tasks together can make them so much more rewarding, and then you can look forward to creating something lovely as a family, not just on your own.
With your garden plans already filling you with excitement for the year to come, it’s time to order the seeds, bulbs and plants that will make your dreams come to life. This task is best carried out with a nice cup of tea, when it's either too wet or too cold to go into the garden.
The endless possibilities in seed shopping are bound to have you reaching for your garden plans once again to make little changes. This is all part of what makes a garden so unique, every year.
As you tick off the seeds you will be sowing this year, allow your mind to wander. Imagine sharing the space that you have created with your loved ones. Imagine sharing harvests from your vegetable patch. There is no greater form of joy than working towards bringing your visions to life.
A good way to stay happy and healthy is to work on little wins. Things like tidying flower beds, cleaning pots, clearing up your greenhouse, fixing your shed and sharpening your tools are all productive, small tasks you can do to get ready for the year ahead. The satisfaction you get from these little wins can help bolster your mental health, and carrying out these tasks will get you outside and doing something mindful.
It’s ok to feel down this time of year, and it’s common too. The lack of light can have a big impact on our mood. But taking small steps to go outside, do something productive, make dreams and then build on them will all contribute to a healthier you, and a better garden. And the best thing is that a thriving, beautiful garden will continue to reward you for the rest of the year too.
What should I do in my garden this January?
January gardening involves planning, tidying, cleaning, sharpening tools and ordering seeds. We can also sow some seeds this time of year. The weather often drives us inside in January, so focus on things you can do under cover (preferably with a cup of tea!).
Can you plant anything during January in the UK?
Yes, you can sow broad beans, cabbage, beetroot, garlic sets, sweet peas and more in January. If you want to sow seeds successfully in January, consider using a seedling heat mat and some grow lights. This will help you grow happy, healthy plants and extend your growing season.
Why do I feel so good after gardening?
Gardeners often report feeling great after a session in the garden. There is a soil bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae that can release serotonin in your brain when you put your hands in the soil, which can help improve mood and make you feel connected to nature. Gardening also helps to get us outside and doing something physical which reduces stress and improves your overall mood.
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