January is for dreaming, dreaming of all the new blooms and plans to come in the new year. Planning is a big part of the garden prep in the beginning of the year and we are going to have a little Garden Planning series to follow along with soon. In the meantime, here are some things to think about doing to start this year’s garden off right.
Outside-
We’ve had a fairly warmish winter thus far, your ground isn’t frozen you could work on any garden clean up that has yet to happen. Do try to stay off your soil in your planting beds if it is wet, walking or kneeling on wet soil can lead to compaction, not a good thing for your plants.
Talk a walk and notice the plants in your neighborhood that look good right now. Evergreens, grasses, and trees or shrubs with colorful or peeling bark add winter interest to our gardens.
If it is unseasonably dry and warm, water your bulbs, especially if you are growing them for cut flowers and need long stems. When you water, try to do it on a day where the nighttime temps stay above freezing and don’t forget to unhook your hose before it freezes again.
If you don’t have measurements of your garden space, grab a tape measure and get that info for your winter planning session.
Inside-
Take some time to dream about what to grow this next year. Make a wish list of plants to research. Pin some inspiration photos. Look through your saved posts on social media. Was there a bouquet or arrangement that you want to recreate? A tomato variety you are dying to try?
Look over your notes. What went well? What issues did you have? Take some time to research solutions to your garden problems. This year I’m going to invest some time in figuring out how to avoid powdery mildew.
Get a plan together BEFORE you buy seed or start any seed. This is a big task and I’ll have some thoughts for you in the following days.
Organize your seeds BEFORE you buy more, I’ll have a post on that too.
Inventory any tools or supplies you need, it’s nice to have them on hand when the weather gets good. Things to check- netting, plant tags, watering cans and nozzles, replacements for leaky hoses, seed starting materials, etc.
Read a gardening book, check out some gardening magazines from the library. I love me a copy of Fine Gardening or the Garden Gate.
Divide your dahlias if you haven’t already.
Start seeds that really need to be started this early, but don’t start any others.
Invest in some learning opportunities. Check out the Utah Flower Conference, the Utah Food and Farm Conference, or Urban and Small Farms conference.
Seeds to Start-
Only the long game seeds like lisianthus, trachelium, or slow growing perennials. Pay attention to the timing.
Direct sow any cool season hardy annuals. They will come up when the conditions are right. Some options are bells of Ireland, larkspur, bupluerum, ammi, nigella, daucus dara, and icelandic poppy.
I would love hear your plans for this years garden! Have a happy new year!