January in your garden
Check moisture frequently during hot spells; sow smaller batches and protect emerging seedlings from drying winds.
Use the mild profile for sheltered coastal gardens and the cold profile for the interior and high ground. Frost, wind and rainfall vary widely; do not apply coastal dates to inland frost pockets.
Mild areas / light frost
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Cucumbers & pumpkins, Radishes, Swiss chard, Sweetcorn |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Cold inland / frost-prone
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Radishes, Swiss chard |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Use the cold profile. Exposed eastern and higher-altitude gardens may need a later start for tender summer crops. Wait for local frost risk to pass.
Cold inland / frost-prone
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Radishes, Swiss chard |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
The cold profile is the starting point for exposed Highveld gardens. Use the mild profile only in sheltered, warmer areas where frost is light.
Cold inland / frost-prone
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Radishes, Swiss chard |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Mild areas / light frost
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Cucumbers & pumpkins, Radishes, Swiss chard, Sweetcorn |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Choose the frost-free profile on the warm coast, mild for suitable inland sites, and cold for the Midlands or high ground with regular frost. Match your garden, not just your province.
Hot, frost-free coast / Lowveld
| Sow in beds | Sweetcorn |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Tomatoes |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Mild areas / light frost
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Cucumbers & pumpkins, Radishes, Swiss chard, Sweetcorn |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Cold inland / frost-prone
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Radishes, Swiss chard |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Use the frost-free profile in hot Lowveld locations, mild where winter frost is light, and cold for frost-prone high ground. Extreme summer heat can limit germination and fruit set.
Hot, frost-free coast / Lowveld
| Sow in beds | Sweetcorn |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Tomatoes |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Mild areas / light frost
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Cucumbers & pumpkins, Radishes, Swiss chard, Sweetcorn |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Cold inland / frost-prone
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Radishes, Swiss chard |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Highveld gardens and frost-prone high ground use the cold profile; warm, frost-free Lowveld gardens use the hot profile. The escarpment needs local adjustment.
Cold inland / frost-prone
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Radishes, Swiss chard |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Hot, frost-free coast / Lowveld
| Sow in beds | Sweetcorn |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Tomatoes |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Use the cold profile where winter frost is regular, and mild for sheltered warmer locations with light frost. Hot summers do not mean frost-free winters.
Cold inland / frost-prone
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Radishes, Swiss chard |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Mild areas / light frost
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Cucumbers & pumpkins, Radishes, Swiss chard, Sweetcorn |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Use the cold profile for frost-prone inland and high-lying gardens. The mild profile is only for locally suitable light-frost sites. Plan for irrigation and avoid sowing during extreme heat. Cold uplands and the coastal belt differ.
Cold inland / frost-prone
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Radishes, Swiss chard |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Mild areas / light frost
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Cucumbers & pumpkins, Radishes, Swiss chard, Sweetcorn |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
The winter-rainfall profile is for coastal and lowland gardens. Use the cold profile as a cautious starting point for frost-prone inland or mountain gardens; check local advice in the Karoo and other distinct climates.
Winter-rainfall coast and lowlands
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Swiss chard |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
Cold inland / frost-prone
| Sow in beds | Bush beans, Beetroot, Carrots, Radishes, Swiss chard |
|---|---|
| Start in trays | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce |
| Plant cloves | No core crops listed for this group this month. |
