Gina Parkinson looks at jobs that can be done in the January garden

THERE is still time to send orders to seed catalogues this month, although it is a good idea to specify a second choice in case popular lines have sold out.

When the seeds arrive store them in cool dry conditions and, if there are a lot, divide them into groups according to when they are to be sown. A small airtight box divided into sections with strips of cardboard is ideal.

Some bedding plants can be sown now but make sure there is plenty of space to keep the seed trays, and eventually small pots, as tender plants will not be planted out until May, or in cold areas, June.

Modules have become popular for sowing bedding plants as there is no need for pricking-out and they take up less space. Each tray is divided into a number of cells that look like small plant pots and come in a range of sizes. I have found it best to avoid the very smallest ones which need constant attention as they dry out very quickly.

The technique for modular sowing is similar to using a tray - simply fill them with sowing or multi-purpose compost and tap on the bench to settle it.

Place in a shallow tray of water to moisten the compost then remove and allow to drain.

It is better to water the compost before sowing as very fine seed may be washed away if it is done afterwards.

Put a pinch of seed, or one or two seeds if they are large enough to handle individually, in each module and follow the instructions on the packet for light and heat requirements. Some will need darkness to germinate while others need light; some will need warmth and others will be happy on a cool windowsill.

As there are usually several modules in one tray, it can be used for more than one variety of seed but make sure the modules are labelled and that the germination conditions are the same.

Sweet peas are traditionally sown in autumn and grown through the winter to be planted out in early spring, but they can be done this month if they were forgotten. They can be sown individually in modules as described above but their long root system develops better in deep pots.

Special sweet pea tubes are available at garden centres, although the inner cardboard tubes from cling film and kitchen towels will do just as well, as will rolled up magazines or newspapers.

Cut each tube to about 20cm and wedge several together in a deep container such as an empty one-litre ice cream box, the bottom of which has been pierced to allow drainage. Fill the tubes with compost, water well and plant a couple of seeds about 2.5cm deep in each. Keep at room temperature and place on a windowsill for a week or so once they have germinated.

Then place outside in a cold frame and leave until they are ready to be planted out. The cold frame may need to be covered with sacking or old carpet if frost is forecast.

Topical tip

Some sweet peas need to be soaked overnight before planting. Check the seed packet to see if this is necessary.

Weekend catch-up

ALTHOUGH winter is not a good time for walking on the lawn, it is all right to see if any areas are suffering from water logging.

Compacted ground won't allow water to drain and the area becomes soggy or covered in puddles after rain.

Spiking the area with a garden fork driven into the lawn and gently moved backwards and forwards before removing will improve drainage. This is usually done in autumn but can be carried out in winter as long as the grass isn't frosted and the soil is soft enough to push the fork in.

Updated: 09:40 Saturday, January 18, 2003