The Complete January Gardening Guide

The Complete January Gardening Guide New Year, New Garden Goals Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:12:12 GMT https://carmeninthegarden.substack.com/p/the-complete-january-gardening-guide Happy New Year! January is a great time to hit the reset button on your garden. Whether you're planning ahead for spring or maintaining what’s still growing, this month offers a quiet space to get organized and think about what's next. There’s still plenty of gardening to be done, from planning your garden layout to starting seeds indoors.

Plan Your Garden

Seeds to Start Indoors

Upcoming Seed Starting Workshop Announcement

Tasks & Chores for January

Monthly Produce Guide

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Plan Your Garden January is an ideal time to plan for the upcoming gardening year. Set clear, actionable goals and get organized. I recently hosted a live workshop delving in to how I plan my garden. You can watch that here:

Reflect on Last Year's Garden: Review your successes and challenges from last year. Consider what worked well and what didn’t. Document this in your garden journal to guide your decisions moving forward. Think about pest control, watering strategies, and plant spacing. Consider crop rotation for healthier soil.

Set Goals for the Year: Establish clear goals for the upcoming gardening season. Whether you're aiming to grow more herbs, experiment with a new gardening technique, or add more vertical gardening elements, setting concrete goals will help keep you focused and motivated.

Sketch Your Garden Layout: Take a moment to sketch out your garden design. Consider your space carefully—decide where to place sun-loving plants, shade-loving plants, and high-yield crops. Map out your garden for both aesthetics and function, including your plant varieties and companion planting strategies.

Research and Order Seeds: Browse seed catalogs or visit your local nursery to decide what you’ll plant. This is the perfect time to order seeds for your upcoming garden. Start thinking about what worked in your garden last year and what new varieties you want to try this year. I prefer heirloom or non-GMO seeds, and check the recommended planting dates based on your local climate. Recommended Seed Suppliers:

Uprising Seeds

Siskiyou Seeds

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

High Mowing Seeds

Botanical Interests

Territorial Seed Company

Johnny’s Seeds

Seeds to Start Indoors: A Step-by-Step Guide Starting seeds indoors in January is an excellent way to get a jump start on the growing season. Here’s how to do it successfully:

Prepare Your Containers

Choose seed trays, pots, or any container with drainage holes.

Fill containers with a high-quality seed-starting mix. This mix is lighter and finer than regular potting soil, allowing for better root growth.

Sow the Seeds

Follow the seed packet instructions for depth and spacing. Generally, small seeds like basil or parsley should be lightly pressed into the soil, while larger seeds like tomatoes and peppers need to be planted deeper.

For most herbs and flowers, sow the seeds about ¼ to ½ inch deep. For larger crops like tomatoes and peppers, plant ½ inch deep.

Provide Proper Light

Seeds need plenty of light once they germinate. Place your seed trays in a sunny window with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, or use grow lights if natural light is insufficient. If you're using grow lights, keep them about 2-3 inches above the seedlings.

Maintain Moisture

Water gently using a fine spray bottle to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the germination process. Using a clear plastic lid or a plastic wrap over your trays can help retain moisture and warmth.

Keep the Temperature Right

Most seeds germinate best in a warm environment, between 65-75°F (18-24°C). You can place a seed mat under your containers to ensure consistent warmth if needed.

Thin the Seedlings

Once your seedlings have sprouted and developed their first true leaves, thin them out by cutting the weaker seedlings at soil level. This ensures the remaining seedlings have enough space to grow.

Harden Off the Seedlings

Before transplanting your seedlings outside, you’ll need to harden them off. Gradually expose them to outdoor conditions over a week by placing them outside in a sheltered area for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the exposure time.

What to Start Indoors in January Here’s a list of plants that do well when started indoors in January:

Herbs:

Basil

Parsley

Thyme

Chives

Dill

Cilantro

Vegetables:

Peppers (Hot and Sweet)

Celeriac

Eggplant

Endive

Fennel

Rosella

Strawberries

Tomato

Tomatillo

Flowers:

Strawflowers

Amaranth

Bachelor’s Button

Black-eyed Susan

Poppy

Calendula

Celosia

Larkspur

Marigold

Upcoming Workshop Announcement I’m excited to announce that I’ll be hosting on January 18th at 10 AM PST a Live Workshop on How to Successfully Start Seeds Indoors for paid subscribers ! In this session, I’ll be sharing my method to help you get the most out of your indoor seed-starting efforts. Whether you're new to starting seeds indoors or looking to improve your technique, this workshop is designed to equip you with the knowledge to grow healthier plants and save money by starting your own seeds. Stay tuned for more details on when and how you can sign up.

Tasks & Chores for January While your garden might not be in full swing, there’s still plenty to keep you busy in January. Here are a few key tasks to keep you productive and ensure your garden is ready for spring.

Organize Your Tools and Garden Supplies: Take stock of your tools, seeds, and gardening supplies. Clean, sharpen, and organize your tools so that they’re ready when you need them. (this is something I personally really need to do!) Restock any supplies that are running low. This is also a good time to check your irrigation system and make sure it’s in working order.

Compost Maintenance: Even in winter, your compost pile still needs attention. Continue to add organic matter from the garden and kitchen. Turn the pile regularly to keep it active, and make sure it's insulated to retain heat. Add a layer of leaves or mulch to keep the pile or system insulated and prevent it from freezing.

Prepare for Early Spring Planting: In regions with mild winters, you can start prepping the soil for early spring crops. Consider testing your soil’s pH and adding any necessary amendments. If you’re planning to plant early spring crops, like peas or lettuce, now is a great time to prepare those areas.

Prune Dormant Plants: For fruit trees, bushes, and perennials, this is the time to prune. Cut away dead or damaged growth to encourage healthy new growth come spring. Be sure to use clean, sharp tools to prevent spreading disease. If you are unsure of how to prune trees, consult your local arborist.

Build or Repair Garden Structures: This is a great month to take on garden projects you’ve been putting off. Build new raised beds, trellises, or install new irrigation lines. If you’re considering a new gardening technique, like vertical gardening, now is the time to plan and start putting together your structures.

Monthly Produce Guide: What’s in Season

In January, root vegetables, citrus, and greens are at their peak. Whether you’re harvesting from your garden or shopping at a farmer’s market, you can enjoy a variety of fresh, flavorful produce.

Citrus : Lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines.

Root Vegetables : Carrots, beets, celery root/ celeriac, and parsnips.

Brassicas : Kale, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.

Greens : Kale, chard, spinach, and mustard greens.

Avocados

Winter Recipe Ideas:

Citron & Ginger Cookies

Braised Short Rib Beet Stew (Borscht)

Harissa-Spiced Turkey & Rice Cabbage Rolls with Herby Yogurt

Spicy Miso Soba Noodle Soup with Clams

Cozy Celeriac and Leek Soup with Pancetta & Herb Croutons

Winter Spiced Roasted Cauliflower Soup

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