17/01/2026
Can we truly be half way through January already?? My head says no, but in spite of illnesses and bouts of grim weather, the garden is definitely showing signs of waking up and moving on. I’ve been pruning apple trees on the good days this last week and that is such a relaxing, meditative task: Cut, cut, step back and judge, then in to shorten the next branch and back out to check the shape again. Slowly, things start to look less congested, with open centres and cleaner lines. It’s such a nice feeling.
Meanwhile, I’ve taken delivery of two or three different seed deliveries and one box from Gardening Express containing some very-end-of-sale bulbs (quickly planted up) and a bare rooted Aronia melanocarpa (Chokeberry) bush. Yes, with any luck, I am going to be trialling a new fruit this year!
So, let’s start this Six-on-Saturday post, kindly and efficiently hosted by Jim @gardenruminations, with a look at the fresh seeds I will be sowing pretty soon. Yay!
1 New seeds for 2026
Fresh vegetable and flower seed for the 2026 season
Amongst my regular choices I am trying some fun new varieties, including a cute tomato called Heartbreakers Vita (heart-shaped of course – see top left of photo), some interesting looking Asparagus peas (recommended by Fred I think) and a vegetable called Celtuce. Celtuce is a vegetable I was introduced to as ‘Chinese asparagus’ (at a London restaurant on my birthday last year). As it grows it has an appearance like a bolting lettuce, with a thick, long, central stem. This is actually the bit you want.
Here’s a photo of it (central green dish), sliced and prepared for our meal:
Chinese asparagus, which I finally tracked down as the vegetable Celtuce, Lactuca sativa var. augustana, also known as stem lettuce
It was so tasty!!
Have you tried any of these or are you trying any other new vegetables or flowers this year?
2 Globe Artichoke
Globe artichoke picked in January!!!!
This baby globe artichoke was a big surprise! I found it, sitting undamaged by the vagaries of East Anglian weather, when I went for a wander around the vegetable plot last week. I guess that the mild intervals between the storms and snowfall have been really warm!
3 Snowdrops
Snowdrops are erupting from the ground every day
I have some snowdrops out now … and more are appearing every day. They make your heart sing! I’ve not noticed any visiting bees on them yet, but they are ready and waiting.
4 Hellebores
The hellebore hybrids are getting started too …
Hellebores are opening
Suddenly there are small patches of colour appearing in the borders. Hellebores are great for providing that, even in late winter. Their flowers are generous and look so luxurious with all those fluttering stamens. I’ve started to cut back their leaves to remove damaged/diseased material and reveal the pretty flowers.
5 Pink Rosemary
Pink rosemary, Salvia rosmarinus Roseus, is an pretty addition to the herb portfolio
I love this pink rosemary. It doesn’t seem to flower here as prolifically as the steely blue forms, but the pink flowers catch the light more and shine out.
6 Hazel Catkins
Hazel catkins are extending and jiggling in the wind to shake their pollen into the tiny magenta female flowers.
The hazel catkins are extending and loosening up to jiggle about in the breeze and now I am starting to see tiny magenta female flowers on the hazel bushes emerging to brave the elements. You can just see them here, on the l.h.s. of photo, tucked in close to the stem.
Are you seeing any signs of your garden rebooting for the new year yet?
Don’t forget to check Jim’s blog for more gardening updates. You can click the link HERE for the latest SOS post.
Have a marvellous weekend!
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