Gardening in January
I've decided to pick up my blog again, mainly as a way to keep a record of gardening activities, harvests and seasonal recipes.
January Garden Tasks:
January is a good time to prepare for the upcoming gardening season.
Start a Garden Journal: See my previous post Keeping a Garden Journal.
Plan Out Your Garden: Draw out your garden on a piece of grid paper. Decide where you will plant each variety of plant, taking into account spacing, companion planting and crop rotation.
Take an Inventory: Go through last years seeds and decide what you want to use this season. If you are unsure if your seeds are still good, you can do a viability test by placing a few seeds between two layers of damp paper toweling and placing the toweling in a vented plastic bag. Set in a warm place (the top of your refrigerator works well) and check every couple of days for growth.
Place Your Seed Orders: Once you know what you want to grow, choose your seeds from a reputable seed company. Check multiple companies to compare prices of the varieties you want and don't forget to check shipping rates and satisfaction guarantees.
Seeds to Start in January:
Depending on your last frost date, you may be able to start some seeds indoors at the end of the month. (Find your last frost date here)
Cole Crops (broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi): Start seeds 6-8 weeks before average last frost. Transplant outdoors 2 to 3 weeks before the last expected frost date placing plants 12 to 24 inches apart (depending on varieties)
Celery: Start 8-10 weeks before average last frost. Transplant outdoors after last expected frost date, 12 inches apart.
Eggplant: Start 8-10 weeks before average last frost. Transplant outdoors after soil warms to 55°, 18-24 inches apart.
Onions and Leeks: Start 8-10 weeks before average last frost. Transplant outdoors after last expected frost date, 6 inches apart.
Peppers: Start 8-10 weeks before average last frost. Transplant outdoors after soil warms to 60°, 18-24 inches apart.
Plan Out Your Garden: Draw out your garden on a piece of grid paper. Decide where you will plant each variety of plant, taking into account spacing, companion planting and crop rotation.
Take an Inventory: Go through last years seeds and decide what you want to use this season. If you are unsure if your seeds are still good, you can do a viability test by placing a few seeds between two layers of damp paper toweling and placing the toweling in a vented plastic bag. Set in a warm place (the top of your refrigerator works well) and check every couple of days for growth.
Place Your Seed Orders: Once you know what you want to grow, choose your seeds from a reputable seed company. Check multiple companies to compare prices of the varieties you want and don't forget to check shipping rates and satisfaction guarantees.
Seeds to Start in January:
Depending on your last frost date, you may be able to start some seeds indoors at the end of the month. (Find your last frost date here)
Cole Crops (broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi): Start seeds 6-8 weeks before average last frost. Transplant outdoors 2 to 3 weeks before the last expected frost date placing plants 12 to 24 inches apart (depending on varieties)
Celery: Start 8-10 weeks before average last frost. Transplant outdoors after last expected frost date, 12 inches apart.
Eggplant: Start 8-10 weeks before average last frost. Transplant outdoors after soil warms to 55°, 18-24 inches apart.
Onions and Leeks: Start 8-10 weeks before average last frost. Transplant outdoors after last expected frost date, 6 inches apart.
Peppers: Start 8-10 weeks before average last frost. Transplant outdoors after soil warms to 60°, 18-24 inches apart.
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