Episode 639 Seed of the Month: Chives | Is It Too Early to Sow Seeds?
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Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of 2026. In this week’s podcast I’m easing myself back into the garden after a rough start to the year, sharing what I’ve been up to on the allotment, and tackling one of the most common questions gardeners ask at this time of year: is it too early to sow seeds?
You can listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, or using the player below.
Allotment Update: Hazel Coppicing & Winter Tidy-Up
I managed to get down to the allotment for a gentle session, starting with coppicing my hazel tree. This gives me a brilliant supply of free, sturdy sticks for peas and beans later in the year and saves buying expensive bamboo canes.
I also started tidying up a neglected corner around the gooseberries and hazel, clearing brambles and getting it ready for a woodchip mulch. It’s slow progress at this time of year, but every little job makes a big difference.
I talk through this in more detail in the podcast, including my plans for the coming weeks.
Seed of the Month: Chives
January can feel frustrating when you’re desperate to sow seeds, but in reality it’s too early for most crops unless you’ve got heat and grow lights.
That’s why this month’s Seed of the Month is chives.
Chives are ideal for sowing now on a kitchen windowsill:
- Sow thinly in a small pot of compost
- Cover lightly and keep warm and bright
- Germination takes 2–3 weeks
- Harvest by snipping as needed
They grow well indoors, can be moved outside later in the year, and return year after year. I explain exactly how I grow and use them in this week’s episode.
Is It Too Early to Sow Seeds?
This is the big topic of the episode. While some seed packets suggest January sowing, it often causes more problems than it solves.
Without heated propagators and good light, many seedlings will struggle or grow too quickly before there’s anywhere sensible to put them. In the podcast I share which seeds are worth sowing now, which are best left until later, and how I approach early seed sowing without creating extra work.
Recipe of the Week: Leek, Potato & Thyme Soup
After cold days in the garden, this week’s recipe is a proper winter warmer: leek, potato and thyme soup. It’s simple, seasonal, and perfect for using home-grown produce. You can find the full recipe on the website.
Book of the Month
Through out December we read Gardening with Junk by Adam Caplin. A thougughly enjoyable book detailing some simple ways to turn junk items into interesting pots and planters for our plants.
January’s book is Composting by Bob Flowerdew, and I’ll be sharing my thoughts as I work through it this month.
If you would like to support this podcast then please consider becoming a member of our supporters club or use some of affiliate links below for items you might be buying. We might get a little commission
- Premier seeds direct for all your seed needs
- Autopot uk a revolutionary watering system for growing the best veg easily. User discount code auto10rvg for 10%off