Gardening - Calendar for January
SPECIAL NOTES:
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The LAST spring frost , per the farmers almanac is January 27th. This is generally when we start our seeds. See Starting Seeds under Vegetables.
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Sort through any seeds that you currently have and test for viability. Throw out any that fail the test
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Place extra [good] seeds in a sealed paper envelope or small type snack bags [with labels] and keep them in a refrigerator. They will last for several years. I keep mine in small type snack bags and then in a small Tupperware sandwich holder.
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Finish up your garden clean-up. Time to check fertilizers and garden chemicals [if you use them] for dates. Be sure to discard in appropriate disposal sites within your area.
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January is a good time to put out snail bait.
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Look at your gardening books to determine the best time for pruning specifics and to ensure that you are pruning at the right time of year. During January we do pruning on our deciduous fruit trees, shade trees, roses and shrubs [acid-loving plants/shrubs are best pruned while they are in bloom or directly after the bloom; these are things like azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons....]
|
What to Plant |
When to Plant |
Moon Favorable |
Plant Near | Keep Away From |
|
Peas |
1/15 thru 1/31 |
1/27 thru 1/31 |
Beans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, radishes, turnips | onions (will stunt plant growth) |
|
Radishes |
1/21 thru 3/1 |
1/21 thru 1/25, 2/10 thru 2/23 |
Beans, Carrots, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Peas | Hyssop (will inhibit plant growth) |
| bare root roses | ||||
| blueberries | ||||
- You can also plant garlic, onions and potatoes now for harvest in late summer.
- If you get any tomatoes plants from the nursery this month DO NOT PLANT IN THE GROUND UNTIL AFTER EASTER!
- Many of the summer and fall flowering trees, shrubs and perennials can be pruned this month, however don't prune those plants that flower on dead wood.
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Start your perennial seeds indoors for spring planting [see seed starting tips under Things we learn]. Sow seeds for Pansy, verbena, carnation, salvia and impatiens indoors now for early spring bloom
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THINGS TO CHANGE NEXT YEAR
Add a drawing to remind you where plants and bulbs are located.
Notes on plants and bulbs:
- 1/26 is a new moon. Sow seeds of pansy, verbena, carnation, salvia and impatiens indoors now for early spring bloom
TEST SEEDS FOR VIABILITY:
- Place 10 seeds between two layers of moist paper towel and put them in a sealed container. Keep the paper evenly dampened, but not too wet [seeds may rot if the paper towel is too moist]. Check each day to see if the seeds have sprouted. If less then 1/2 the seeds have sprouted, but new one and make sure you toss the old ones [as goofy as it sounds this one has bitten me].
