The headline’s original crop list and source article are not identified, so it is not possible to confirm which seeds it refers to. Monty Don’s official January 2024 advice does name spring salad crops and chillies—but it is specifically January guidance, not a recommendation to sow them in October. Don’s key caution is that sowing too early can cause more problems than sowing late.
Which seeds does Monty Don name?
In his January 2024 advice, Don says he sows spring salad crops in the first week of January:
- Rocket
- Mizuna
- Little Gem and Tom Thumb lettuce
- Curly endive
He also describes chillies as the first seeds he sows in the new year. This list is the crop advice available from that January page; it cannot be confirmed as the list intended by the unspecified headline.
When and how does his January method work?
For the salad crops, Don sows into seed trays or plugs using peat-free compost, then germinates them on a heated mat in a greenhouse. He plants them into greenhouse soil at the beginning of February and expects to harvest from mid-March to mid-May. These dates describe his under-cover growing schedule, not a universal calendar for every location or garden.
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Don advises gardeners without a greenhouse or tunnel to wait before sowing these crops. His January 2023 advice also cautions that cold ground can leave seeds ungerminated or seedlings static for weeks, while exposing them to pests. He describes raising seedlings under cover and hardening them off gradually before planting out.
Chillies need a different timeline
Don says chillies can be slow to germinate and need heat and light. In the January 2024 account, he sows them in trays, transfers seedlings to plugs after true leaves appear, pots them on in March, and moves them to final terracotta pots in May. Treat this as his described sequence rather than a date guarantee for other climates or growing conditions.
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Is rocket a seed to sow in another season?
Don’s April 2023 advice discusses rocket separately: he describes it as suitable for spring and autumn, notes that it bolts in warm weather, and recommends another sowing in early August for harvest from early September through autumn. That is a distinct seasonal example; it should not be merged with the January under-cover schedule.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check before buying seeds
In his January 2021 advice, Don recommends deciding where seedlings will go before ordering, comparing varieties, and checking how many seeds a packet contains. He notes that gardeners may choose organically raised, mass-produced, local, or imported seed. The practical point is to match the packet and sowing plan to the space and conditions available, rather than buying on urgency alone.
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