Think it’s too early to sow vegetables when frost is still around? Learn which crops thrive with early starts and how to sow onions, chillies, brassicas, and garlic successfully with expert advice from DH Garden Centre.
Introduction: Frost Does Not Mean Stop
Many gardeners assume that frost automatically means waiting. Waiting to sow. Waiting to start. Waiting for spring to officially arrive.
In reality, some of the most productive gardens begin long before the last frost has passed.
At DH Garden Centre, we often see hesitation at this time of year. Cold weather feels like a barrier, but for many vegetables, winter and early sowing are not only safe, they are beneficial. Getting key crops started now gives them time to establish strong root systems, spreads workload through the season, and frees up space later for succession planting.
If you are keen to grow something now, even while frost is still present, you are in the right place.
Why Early Sowing Works (Even When It’s Cold)
Early sowing is not about ignoring the weather. It is about choosing the right crops and the right methods.
Hardy vegetables germinate at low temperatures. Others benefit from a long indoor start. Some crops actively require cold exposure to develop properly.
Early sowing allows you to:
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Maximise the growing season
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Harvest earlier
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Use garden space more efficiently
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Reduce pressure in spring
The key is matching crop to conditions.
Onions: A Hardy Staple Worth Starting Early
Few vegetables reward patience like onions. Garden-grown onions develop deeper flavour and better texture than most store-bought bulbs.
Why Start Onions From Seed
Onions can be grown from sets, but sowing from seed has clear advantages:
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Lower risk of bolting
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Greater variety choice
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Lower cost
Seeds are especially valuable for early sowing.
How to Sow Onions Early
Sow onion seeds into plug trays filled with all-purpose potting mix, topped with a fine, sieved layer. This creates a smooth surface for small seeds.
Aim for:
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About 5–6 seeds per cell
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Light coverage of compost
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Gentle watering using mist or bottom watering
Bring trays indoors to germinate, then move them back outside once seedlings appear. Onion seedlings tolerate cool conditions well.
They can be planted out in early to mid-spring as clumps and spaced evenly. This method produces reliable bulbs and makes excellent use of limited space.
Chillies: Why Early Warmth Matters
Chillies are the opposite of onions. They demand warmth, time, and patience.
Why Chillies Need an Early Start
Chilli plants grow slowly at first. Starting them early ensures:
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Flowering before peak summer
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Better fruit set
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More reliable harvests in cooler climates
Milder chilli varieties are especially suitable for early sowing because they mature faster.
How to Start Chillies Successfully
Use a free-draining seed mix containing potting compost, coir, and a small amount of perlite. Pre-moisten the mix before sowing.
Chillies require:
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Minimum germination temperature around 24°C
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High humidity during germination
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Consistent warmth
Heat mats or warm indoor locations work well. Once seedlings emerge, provide strong supplemental light. Without adequate light, plants become weak and leggy.
If grow lights are not available, delay sowing by a few weeks until natural daylight improves.
Cauliflowers and Brassicas: Cold-Tolerant and Reliable
Brassicas are ideal candidates for winter sowing. They germinate at low temperatures and grow steadily without excessive heat.
Why Sow Brassicas Early
Early sowing:
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Extends the harvest window
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Produces stronger transplants
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Allows planting out before pest pressure increases
Cauliflowers, cabbages, and leeks all respond well to this approach.
How to Sow Brassicas in Winter
Scatter seeds thinly over the surface of sieved compost. Cover lightly and water gently.
Brassicas do not require high heat. Indoor windowsills provide sufficient warmth to speed germination, after which seedlings can be moved to cooler conditions.
Once seedlings develop, separate them carefully into individual plugs to grow on.
Winter Sowing in Milk Jugs: A Simple, Low-Tech Method
Winter sowing is one of the most effective ways to start hardy crops without heated spaces.
What Is Winter Sowing?
Seeds are sown into recycled containers (often milk jugs) and placed outdoors. The containers act as mini greenhouses, protecting seedlings from wind while allowing natural temperature cycles.
Suitable Crops for Winter Sowing
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Cabbages
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Leeks
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Lettuce
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Other cool-season vegetables
How to Winter Sow Correctly
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Cut a milk jug nearly in half, leaving a hinge
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Add drainage holes
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Fill with potting mix
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Sow seeds and label clearly
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Close and secure with tape
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Place outdoors in a sheltered location
Leave lids off to allow rainwater in. Seeds germinate when conditions are right, without intervention.
This method often produces seedlings several weeks earlier than direct sowing.
Garlic: A Winter Essential
Garlic thrives on cold exposure. In fact, it requires it.
Why Plant Garlic in Winter
Cold temperatures signal garlic cloves to divide and form full bulbs. Planting in winter ensures:
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Proper bulb formation
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Strong growth in spring
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Early summer harvest
Both softneck and hardneck varieties benefit from winter planting.
How to Plant Garlic
Prepare soil with compost in a sunny location. Plant cloves:
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5–7cm deep
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Pointed end up
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15cm apart
Garlic requires minimal care through winter. Growth accelerates in spring, leading to harvest in early summer.
Planning for Succession Crops
Early sowing does more than provide early harvests. It frees up space.
When onions or brassicas are harvested early, beds become available for:
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Chard
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Kale
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Late salads
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Autumn vegetables
Planning early creates a continuous production cycle.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Sowing tender crops outdoors too early
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Overwatering in cold conditions
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Insufficient light for indoor seedlings
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Forgetting labels
Early sowing is forgiving, but attention to detail improves success.
FAQ: Early and Winter Sowing
Is it safe to sow seeds when frost is present?
Yes, for hardy crops and indoor sowing. Choose appropriate plants.
Do seeds rot in cold soil?
Not if drainage is good and crops are suited to cold germination.
Can I sow everything early?
No. Warm-season crops still require heat and light.
Do I need special compost?
All-purpose potting mix is sufficient for most early sowing.
Final Thoughts From DH Garden Centre
Gardening success rarely comes from waiting. It comes from understanding plant needs and working with the seasons rather than against them.
Early sowing does not mean reckless sowing. It means informed, intentional choices that lead to stronger plants and better harvests.
At DH Garden Centre, we believe winter is not a pause, but a preparation phase.
Whether you’re shopping for plant lovers, hunting for meaningful plants, or simply looking to add a touch of green to your own holiday décor, DH Garden Centre has everything you need for a joyful, vibrant, and beautifully green Christmas.
Visit DH Garden Centre today: where the holidays grow brighter, one plant at a time.
