A new gardening year, and despite the cold there’s still much to do

Changing times: spring narcissi started flowering outside in early winter. Photograph: Allan Jenkins

Happy New Year. It’s time to start gently working and planning the plot. Just because it’s darker, maybe damp or cold, doesn’t mean there isn’t garden stuff to do.

First, colonise a few windowsills at home. Sow sweetpeas in a sunnier spot inside. They’ll appreciate the warmth. We have the Higgledy Garden selection quietly thrumming, near ready to go.