Winter might feel quiet on the farm, but it’s the perfect time to get a jump on your spring garden. With the cold keeping most weeds at bay and the soil damp, preparing seed trays or protected beds now means stronger, healthier seedlings ready to go when the days warm up.
At Our 200 Acre Farm, July is when we sow hardy herbs like parsley, coriander, and dill, along with early brassicas such as broccoli and cabbage. We use recycled punnets and trays, filling them with a light seed-raising mix, and keep them on a sunny windowsill or in the greenhouse to avoid heavy frost damage.
You can also direct sow broad beans and peas outdoors if your soil isn’t waterlogged, and garlic should already be in the ground by now. We like to note down which varieties we plant and when they emerge to help fine-tune our timing for next year.
Winter sowing is also an opportunity to check your seed stores, swap excess seeds with neighbours, and review your crop rotation plans for the coming season. It’s all part of working with the seasons rather than against them, helping us to reduce our costs and increase the resilience of our farm.
If you’re starting seeds indoors, remember to keep the soil just moist and rotate trays regularly so seedlings don’t become leggy. Using an old fan on low nearby can help strengthen the young plants for outdoor life.
By getting your winter sowing done now, you’ll have strong, healthy seedlings ready to transplant when the soil begins to warm in early spring, bringing your garden to life faster and helping you get ahead in your food growing journey.
