Rosemary Ward, of Gardening Which?, looks at what needs to be done in the January garden

Brussels sprouts: A portion of Brussels sprouts contains as much vitamin C as six cups of orange juice and - like Hercule Poirot and Tintin - they really do come from Belgium.

Sprouts do well in this country and, unlike many other vegetables, almost all the sprouts we buy in the shops are grown here - some are even exported to Europe and the Commonwealth.

Nevertheless, if you like to have some really fresh garden-grown veg even in the depths of winter then sprouts should certainly be on your list. Now's a good time to think about getting your plot ready and ordering seeds.

There has been a lot of activity by sprout breeders in the last few years, and a recent Gardening Which? trial looked at 20 newer varieties compared with our old favourite Peer Gynt.

We sowed the seed in modular trays in March, and planted out the seedlings in May.

We then assessed the plants from September to January, picking and weighing all the sprouts as they became ready. We even got a taste panel to check them out. We weren't very impressed with the earliest sprout varieties, so recommend you choose a mid-season type to crop from October to Christmas.

Sprouts will stand on the plants for at least a month once the cold weather sets in. We found Maximus cropped well, with a mild flavour, Brigitte and Topline were slightly more bitter and Diabolo and Romulus had the most robust taste. For cropping into the New Year, the best choice is Millennium.

Jobs of the week:

* Chit tubers of early potatoes by standing them in egg boxes or trays with the rose end - with most buds - uppermost and putting them in a cool, dry, frost-free place with plenty of light

* Clean slippery moss from paths and patios with a stiff brush. Be sparing with water in case it freezes.

* Remove dead leaves from around plants where slugs and snails can hide. Leave them on bare soil to provide extra nutrients as they rot down.

For inspirational ideas coupled with reliable, research-based information subscribe to Gardening Which? For your free trial issue Freephone 0800 252 100 quoting code G_CC05, or visit www.gwfreetrial.co.uk Payment details will be requested for use when your free trial ends.