Garden Ready: January's Must-Do Jobs

Hello, gardening enthusiasts! This is Shannon Foster-Boline and Caitlyn Blum from Fostering Blooms, bringing you a handy guide to the essential tasks you should be tackling in your garden this January. Whether you're gearing up for a fresh new year in the garden or continuing your green thumb journey, these tips are tailored for everything from veggies to flowers. Let’s dig in!

Seed Organization and Ordering

First up, it’s time to organize and order your seeds. January is the perfect month to catalog what seeds you have and decide what you’ll need for the coming season. Personally, I maintain a Google Sheet to track what I already own and mark what needs to be reordered. For those seeds you've misplaced or forgotten about, organizing them now will save you from accidental duplicates when you start planting.

Be Ready for Sales

Also, be on the lookout for January sales! Dahlia tubers and potato and onion starts often go on sale this month. Mark your calendars to ensure you snag the best picks before they're sold out.

Soil Testing

Another crucial step is soil testing. It's a task many of us tend to overlook but knowing the composition of your soil is vital for a fruitful garden. I plan to test individual beds, especially problem areas like my roses and the blueberry patch, to determine their specific needs. Trust us, it makes a huge difference!

Map Your Garden

Have you ever thought about mapping your garden? Using tools like Google Earth to set up a layout can help you plan your beds more efficiently. You can even trace and layer different garden sections to optimize space for all your new plant ideas. It may seem a bit tedious at first, but it’s a great way to avoid overcrowding and make sure everything has its place.

Pruning

For those of you with fruit trees or bushes, January is ideal for some pruning. While each type of plant requires specific care, generally tidying up before the spring surge is beneficial. Even if you missed a prune due at an earlier time, handling it now will help your plants stay healthy and productive.

Preparing Beds

Speaking of spring, start preparing your garden beds for early planting by layering mulch and compost. Our veggie beds are our main focus, aiming to have them ready for cold-weather crops like peas and cabbage.

Seed Starting

Lastly, depending on your climate, now could be a great moment to start certain seeds indoors. Flowers such as sweet peas and veggies including onions and artichokes can be started this month. Experimenting with different methods can help you determine what works best for you and your garden setup.

Wrap-Up

January may not seem like a traditionally busy gardening month, but there's lots to do to ensure a bountiful spring. From seed sorting and scheduling to the groundwork and pruning, every task you complete now will set you up for success later. Plus, keeping active in the garden is a fantastic way to stay healthy and out of mischief!

That covers it for January. Thanks for joining us on Fostering Blooms. Let’s get out there and make this gardening year the best one yet. See you next time!

Happy gardening,

Shannon & Caitlyn

Hopefully, this overview energizes you to get started. Tending our gardens not only cultivates beautiful spaces but also nourishes our spirit and bodies. Let’s take full advantage of January and prepare for a flourishing growing season ahead. Happy digging!

Enjoyed this post? Keep the conversation growing with Fostering Blooms!  Listen now on YouTube and Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Search "Fostering Blooms" and join us on this blossoming journey!