The snow is coming down today, so of course I am planning my garden from the warmth of my kitchen. Even though I still have months here in zone 5 before I can work the soil and put anything outdoors there is still plenty to do now to make gardening easier later. So if you are like me and missing your garden this post is for you.

Garden chores in January?

Seeds vs seedlings

Now that you know what you want to plant it’s time to decide if you want to do seeds or purchase seedlings. Personally, I do both, lots of things grow better with direct sow where that seed goes right in the garden bed. Other plants have long seasons and buying them as transplants is easiest. Check any seeds you might already have. Trading with other gardeners can be fun if you have the option.  Purchasing from a local nursery usually provides you with varieties that are perfect for your zone but that will wait until you are ready to plant.

• Seed Starting- If you just can’t wait to get your hands in the soil then seed starting is a great alternative. Nearly every zone can find an awesome plant to start.

Zones 3-4 onions, leeks, and celery. Zone 5-6  start your Cole crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and herbs like parsley, oregano, sage and thyme. Zones 7-9 Peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants. Many early spring flowers such as zinnias and petunias. Herbs like cilantro and dill. There are many more options when you look up your specific zone and area.

• Seed starting supplies- If you are choosing to start seeds indoors make sure you have the proper supplies. Lights, heating mat (if the room will not stay above 70 degrees Fahrenheit), trays, and soil.  
• Order replacements on replenishable

 Take inventory of any items that you use consistently in your season. Some examples include bird netting, frost cloths, plant steaks, plant labels, plant ties. If it is something you know you will need in your garden it’s a great time to take note.

• Sharpening and cleaning shears is a great winter garden activity. You will need to prune many plants while they are dormant. Having your tools clean, sharpened and ready will help you greatly.

Plant maintenance

As surprising as it might seem since it is still cold and the plants are still asleep, but there is plenty of projects to do to help get a good healthy start on the garden. All zones can do these things this month as long as there is no snow you are good to go.

• Insulation…MULCHING – Check insulation of the plants that need it. Add hay to garlic beds and around strawberries for more insulation to help them stay nice and warm under the soil. Check your mulch around trees and berry bushes.
• COMPOST!! (if there is no snow) add matured compost to lawns and empty beds. Remove the mulch around trees and bushes, add more compost around the plant and then add the mulch back. Adding to the mulch if necessary.
• PRUNING- Prune or prepare to prune any shrubs or fruit trees in dormancy. Pruning in the winter will help the plant grow stronger in the spring and allow for new growth. Check your plants care requirements for specific plant needs.

Here are some examples of plants that like to be pruned in the winter.

Rose bushes can be trimmed during dormancy as well. Also doing this in the late winter early spring before new growth appears makes it easier to avoid thorns as you prune.

For Blackberries and raspberries you can cut the canes that produced blackberries the previous year. This allows for room and nutrients for all the new canes that will come in this year and allow the canes that will produce fruit to get the nutrients they need.

Many trees like to be pruned while dormant. Check your specific plants needs before cutting.

Warmer zones need to wrap your apple trees at the base to prevent worm holes. This should be done before the flower buds appear on the plants, which might still be a few months out for the cooler zones. Wrapping the trees will help prevent the moth worms from climbing up the base of the tree and corrupting your fruit before they’ve ever begun.

DIY Trellis

Now you have a to-do list to help make your gardening season more efficient. A little work now can go a long way later. For January chores list you can…

• Design future garden beds,
• prune and mulch dormant plants,
• take inventory of supplies, order seeds and start seeds indoors,
•  plan out and begin DIY projects.  

I hope you enjoyed my January Garden Chores list

Happy growing!