Well, the holidays are behind us and hopefully you enjoyed that special time of year.
Once January rolls around, my mind gravitates toward spring and gardening. I want to forget that it’s winter. My apologies to those of you who still want to be skiing while I am tending to my daffodils! As many of us local seniors say, “They can have all the snow they want on the mountain… just not down here in the valley!”
What can a gardener do in January when you live in Vermont? Although you may not be able to “play in the dirt” you can browse through garden books and magazines for ideas on different flowers and shrubs to plant in the summer. You can also check out the garden layouts to see what will work in your own yard.
Local garden centers usually have seed sales in January. I always try to “buy local” so I prepare my list in alphabetical order by the name of the flower or veggie that I am looking for. The seed packets are arranged in that format making it quick and easy to find what you want and nothing will be forgotten.
The internet is great for browsing and researching the choices that you have for your growing area. Local stores can’t carry everything so when you want to try something different check the data online. I like to try at least one flower each year that is new to me. This year I will buy fruit punch poppy seeds. The Rutland area is Zone 4, which is a match for this particular flower. It’s a perennial and 50 seeds cost under $2. It’s worth a try!
Perhaps this is the year for you to try growing plants from seed in a heated tray with grow lights. This is probably the most reliable method to assure that you have success growing from seed. I haven’t ventured into that technique but would try it if I had enough space to do so.
I have had success with containers that have a plastic dome. I plant the seeds in mid-April and use a spray mister to keep the starting mix moist. I spray the soil in the morning and evening. When the seedlings start to grow close to the top of the dome I transfer each seedling to a small pot and place them on shelves in an east and south window. The shelves were made for me many years ago by my handy husband, Peter. They rest on brackets that can be moved as the plants grow. By the middle of May the seedlings are ready to spend some gradual time outdoors… shade for a few days and then gradual exposure to full sun. They will be ready to go into the ground by Memorial Day.
I grow tomato plants in a different manner. I start them in mesh peat pellets in a container with a plastic dome. I remove the dome when the plants grow close to the top. Then it’s time to transfer each seedling t o a small pot. As the plants grow I transfer each plant to a larger pot so the roots can grow more deeply. Harden them off as described above.
“Moral of the story:” Try the various methods that are available for seed-starting and see what works best for you. Part of the fun is trying the options and watching a tiny seed that is no bigger than a freckle turn into a plant.
Winter is also a great time to read garden books. Joe Lamp’l, who has a gardening show on the Create Channel, is a good source for recommendations. He often mentions a helpful book title on his show and has written a few books himself. His show is one of my favorites.
If you are a skier “think snow.” If you are a gardener think “spring!”
