Q Grow - Prep for Spring Colour with Sweetpeas and Dahlia indoor planting!
Looking to pick up a new hobby in 2026?
Keen to embrace your more natural side or just get your hands dirty!
Join the #QGrow growalong hashtag as we take you through simple steps to embrace green spaces at home,
Put nature first and have a great time as you go.
It’s not the busiest time at the Quorum Allotment but we are planning ahead for Spring and Summer as we start sowing Sweetpeas
Not only that, potting up dahlias indoors means they’ve had a head start before they head outside post risk of frost.
Between sweetpeas and dahlias you’re looking at summer long bursts of colour, cut and come again flowers for vases and a great addition to outdoor space BUT neither is a fool proof plant, so read more for our top tricks and tips.
💜 Sweet Peas - early sowing for stronger plants
Sweet peas are one of the most satisfying seeds to start now — they’re hardy, fast to germinate, and their early roots make for sturdy spring plants.
How to sow:
When: Late January to February.
Where: Indoors, in a bright, cool spot (a windowsill or unheated greenhouse).
What you need: Deep pots, toilet roll tubes or root trainers filled with peat-free compost.
Sow: 1–2 seeds per pot, about 2cm deep.
Aftercare: Keep compost moist but not soggy. When shoots reach 10cm, pinch out the tips to encourage bushier growth.
Planting out: Harden off in April and plant outside once frosts have passed.
#QGrow tip: Soak seeds overnight before sowing to help them germinate faster. Early sowing means earlier blooms for pollinators come late spring! 🐝
Our FAVOURITE way to enjoy sweetpeas?
The sweetpea tepee!
🌺 Dahlias: Wake them up for a strong display
If your dahlia tubers were lifted in autumn, now’s a great time to check, clean, and pot them up ready for spring.
How to prep dahlias:
Inspect: Remove any rotting or shrivelled sections. Trim back old stems.
Potting up: Use large pots or trays filled with a light, moist compost mix.
Position: Place in a frost-free, bright spot (greenhouse, conservatory or windowsill).
Encouraging growth: Lightly water and wait for new shoots to appear — usually within a few weeks.
Next steps: Once they’ve sprouted, you can take cuttings to create more plants or wait until late April/May to plant them outside.
#QGrow tip: Label your dahlias when you pot them up - it’s easy to forget which colour is which by spring!
🌿 Why Start Now?
January can feel quiet in the garden, but a few small actions now mean:
🌱 Stronger plants ready to thrive when the weather warms.
🌸 Earlier flowers for pollinators.
💚 A chance to reconnect with growing, even indoors on a cold day.
So grab a mug of tea, find a bright windowsill, and start sowing the season ahead.
