Below I will list what I did and what I could have sown and planted in January, as a reference. (February's list will be posted soon). There are a number of handy websites and resources which give regional planting lists for each month. They can be a good starting point, but nothing beats local knowledge, as each area has it's own micro-climate. In fact, your garden has it's own micro-climate too, and thus the idea timing for certain plants may vary in your garden even from your neighbour's. But we all have to start somewhere - look at lists such as the one HERE, then talk to local gardeners, then observe what does well when in YOUR garden, and slowly you will get to know just when to plant what.
This year in January I sowed seeds of:
Broccoli (three varieties)
Kohl Rabi (purple and green)
Basil (purple, cinnamon and sweet green)
Kingfisher daisy (a last ditch attempt to see if I'll EVER get anything to sprout from that particular packet of seeds!)
Miner's lettuce
Dwarf beans (purple, French, yellow, and some mixed saved seed)
Salad mixes - mesclun, oriental gourmet, and something else - I put them in the shade, as lettuce etc often won't germinate in temperatures above 23C, and this time of year it is HOT!
Cabbage ruby microgreens - and they were YUM!
Pyrethrum (later then I would normally, but I want to see if I can still get some growing in pots to repel flies inside)
Calendula
A mix of saved seed which I *think* includes both Mexican sunflowers and freckle lettuce (they got mixed up a couple of years ago)
Broccoli (three varieties)
Kohl Rabi (purple and green)
Basil (purple, cinnamon and sweet green)
Kingfisher daisy (a last ditch attempt to see if I'll EVER get anything to sprout from that particular packet of seeds!)
Miner's lettuce
Dwarf beans (purple, French, yellow, and some mixed saved seed)
Salad mixes - mesclun, oriental gourmet, and something else - I put them in the shade, as lettuce etc often won't germinate in temperatures above 23C, and this time of year it is HOT!
Cabbage ruby microgreens - and they were YUM!
Pyrethrum (later then I would normally, but I want to see if I can still get some growing in pots to repel flies inside)
Calendula
A mix of saved seed which I *think* includes both Mexican sunflowers and freckle lettuce (they got mixed up a couple of years ago)
I could have also sown:
Beetroot
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Endive
Leeks
Mustard greens
Parsley
Oregano
Radish
Silverbeet
Salsify
Swedes
Turnip
NZ spinach
Cornflowers
Phacelia
Beetroot
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Endive
Leeks
Mustard greens
Parsley
Oregano
Radish
Silverbeet
Salsify
Swedes
Turnip
NZ spinach
Cornflowers
Phacelia
Planting out
I didn't get around to doing any more planting out in January, though all of the above could have been planted out if they were ready, along with some last zucchini seedlings, onion or spring onion seedlings, and perhaps an extra cucumber or two.
January is generally a time of rampant growth (assuming enough water is available), but also of hot days - many new seedlings really struggle at this time of year, while established ones take off. It is often worth providing some shade to baby plants if you are planting out, until they get going. I also never plant during the heat of the day, but always plant out seedlings in the cool of the evening, and water well, so they have the cooler night to settle in a bit. To shade them during the heat of the day for the first week or two, I rig up an old sheet or some shadecloth on hoops or pegged to pieces of bamboo, often angled so they get some early morning sun, but are protected during the hottest part of the day.
I didn't get around to doing any more planting out in January, though all of the above could have been planted out if they were ready, along with some last zucchini seedlings, onion or spring onion seedlings, and perhaps an extra cucumber or two.
January is generally a time of rampant growth (assuming enough water is available), but also of hot days - many new seedlings really struggle at this time of year, while established ones take off. It is often worth providing some shade to baby plants if you are planting out, until they get going. I also never plant during the heat of the day, but always plant out seedlings in the cool of the evening, and water well, so they have the cooler night to settle in a bit. To shade them during the heat of the day for the first week or two, I rig up an old sheet or some shadecloth on hoops or pegged to pieces of bamboo, often angled so they get some early morning sun, but are protected during the hottest part of the day.
Looking ahead to winter
It may seem odd in the middle of summer, but it's definitely time to be thinking ahead to winter. Brassicas need plenty of time to get established before the cold weather slows their growth - left too late they end up remaining small all through winter and then bolting to flower in early spring. Brussel sprouts should have been sown in December and planted out in Jan/Feb. All other brassicas, at least in my neck of the woods, need to be sown in Jan/Feb and planted out by March to do any good.
Similarly, parsnips, carrots, swedes and turnips need to be started in summer for good winter harvests. A lot of other quicker growing crops, however, can be sown repeatedly over the coming months. Always remember, growth slows right down in the coldest months, for just about everything, so it pays to think ahead and be getting thing started now or soon, to ensure plenty of fresh food is available from the garden in winter. Timed right, though, winter can actually be a very productive time!
Also, think about where you are going to store summer and autumn harvested crops such as pumpkins, squash, various fruits, herbs, onions, garlic etc. It might be time to find and wash your preserving jars, or clean shelves and wipe them down with a fungicide such as a vinegar or light bleach solution, prior to storing squash.
It may seem odd in the middle of summer, but it's definitely time to be thinking ahead to winter. Brassicas need plenty of time to get established before the cold weather slows their growth - left too late they end up remaining small all through winter and then bolting to flower in early spring. Brussel sprouts should have been sown in December and planted out in Jan/Feb. All other brassicas, at least in my neck of the woods, need to be sown in Jan/Feb and planted out by March to do any good.
Similarly, parsnips, carrots, swedes and turnips need to be started in summer for good winter harvests. A lot of other quicker growing crops, however, can be sown repeatedly over the coming months. Always remember, growth slows right down in the coldest months, for just about everything, so it pays to think ahead and be getting thing started now or soon, to ensure plenty of fresh food is available from the garden in winter. Timed right, though, winter can actually be a very productive time!
Also, think about where you are going to store summer and autumn harvested crops such as pumpkins, squash, various fruits, herbs, onions, garlic etc. It might be time to find and wash your preserving jars, or clean shelves and wipe them down with a fungicide such as a vinegar or light bleach solution, prior to storing squash.
A little forethought goes a long way!
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