January: What to Do in the Gardens

January plants can be anything from perennials and annuals to herbs or vegetables. Arugula, roquette, sweet pea, and statice can all be added during this cool season. Vegetables such as spinach and collards can be planted a few weeks before the last frost. You can also plant edibles, such as Swiss chard Brightlights and globe artichokes. If you are looking for color, grow purple or green oakleaf slaw lettuce. These make great foils for summer flowering year-rounds.

Everyone wishes everyone a happy new Year as they enter the new year. It is important to remember that winter can cause serious damage to many garden structures. Wildlife also needs food. You should also leave certain areas of your garden uncut until the springtime, although you can prune plants such as wisteria or rhododendron bushes to just above their bud. This will ensure that their flowers and foliage remain attractive for many months.

Now is a good time to plant seeds if your goal is to attract wildlife to the garden. You can start with bird feeders. But you might also be interested in investing in a bug lodge. These are an excellent way to attract birds and other wildlife. This season is a great time to plant trees. However, you should plan ahead for these tasks. January is the perfect time to plant trees or shrubs.

The weather can be difficult to garden in, but you can plan ahead and take advantage the drier, cooler days. If you don't want to spend too much time in the garden, make sure to mulch and protect the soil around the base of your plants. Remember to prune deciduous trees before they leaf out. You should remove any diseased or dead branches, but not too much fruiting timber. Dormant season oil or sprays can be applied to protect against leaf curl, overwintering pest eggs and other problems.

You can plant in January even if you live in Zone 6. It's possible because the weather isn't too cold yet to start planting. If temperatures get warmer, seedlings can be transplanted. Just be sure to cover them with row covers if you are planting seeds outside. You can also direct-sow herbs like geranium or coleus. Or you can start planting in the early part of the month.

You can also buy winter dormant plants bare-root. These include deciduous trees and roses. If you're unsure how to plant artichokes correctly, you can even plant them as bare-root. These won't survive if they're not well soaked. This allows you to plant them quickly.

FAQ

How many hours does a plant need to get light?

It depends on the plant. Some plants require 12 hours of direct sunshine per day. Some plants prefer 8 hours of direct sunlight. Most vegetables need 10 hours of direct sunlight per 24-hour period.

How much space does a vegetable garden require?

One square foot of soil will require 1/2 pound of seeds. This is a good rule of thumb. If you have a 10-foot by 10-foot area (3m by 3m), then 100 pounds will be needed.

What is the best vegetable gardening layout?

Your location will determine the best layout for your vegetable garden. If you live in the city, you should plant vegetables together for easy harvesting. You should plant your vegetables in groups if you live outside of the city. This will ensure maximum yield.

Do I have to purchase special equipment in order to grow vegetables on my own?

You're not wrong. A shovel, trowel and watering container are all you need.

Statistics

• According to the National Gardening Association, the average family with a garden spends $70 on their crops—but they grow an estimated $600 worth of veggies! - blog.nationwide.com
• 80% of residents spent a lifetime as large-scale farmers (or working on farms) using many chemicals believed to be cancerous today. (acountrygirlslife.com)
• Most tomatoes and peppers will take 6-8 weeks to reach transplant size so plan according to your climate! - ufseeds.com
• According to a survey from the National Gardening Association, upward of 18 million novice gardeners have picked up a shovel since 2020. (wsj.com)

External Links

planthardiness.ars.usda.gov

• USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

almanac.com

• First and Last Frost Dates by ZIP Code

How To

How do I keep weeds from my vegetable garden?

The biggest threat to the growth of healthy vegetables is weeds. They can compete for water and nutrients, sunlight, space, and other resources. These tips will prevent them destroying your garden.

1. When they flower, take all the plants with you
2. Get rid of any plant debris that may be around the base.
3. Use mulch
4. Drink water frequently
5. Rotate crops
6. Do not let the grass get too long
7. Keep soil moist
8. Plant early
9. Harvest often
10. Add compost
11. Use pesticides sparingly
12. Get organic vegetables
13. Heirloom Seeds Available
14. Start small
15. Learn about companion planting
16. Be patient
17. Enjoy gardening!