TALKING GARDENING with DOUG – What’s A Gardener To Do In January?

PLENTY

First, Happy New Year to all you gardeners.

Whatever the weather and regardless of where we live, January marks the start of another garden year. We made it to 2019. Somehow, all the gardening disappointments of last year with the excessive rainfall seem to be vanishing as we look forward to another great gardening year.

So, back to the topic – here are a few suggestions as to what, we gardeners, can be doing to help pass our time in January:

1. Take advantage of sunny, mild days and walk around your gardens. In other words, get out of the house! Take a notebook with you and cell phone to take notes and pictures. Keep in mind that this stroll can be considered exercise for both the body and the mind.
2. Get into the tool shed. Now is a good time to clean and sharpen all the tools to get ready for the upcoming spring gardening season. To help you with this project, we have a tool sharpener vendor that is with our Thursday farmers’ market. Your tools can be sharpen on the spot.
3. So far this month we are experiencing some normal, mild temperatures. Our ground is not frozen. So, we can still be doing some planting in Central Virginia. Only frozen ground makes it not a good planting time. So, be my guest to go outside and do some planting or do some relocating of existing plants.
4. If you were given some flower bulbs, such as daffodils or tulips, for Christmas, let’s get them in the ground as soon as possible. The bulbs need the winter and they will bloom for you in the coming months.
5. Think indoor, tropical plants for the winter by adding some plant color on a window sill or in a bay window. Some easy to care for houseplants include Kalanchoes, Anthuriums, Bromeliads, African Violets, and others. Many houseplants are considered “ clean air machines” as they help to purify the air that we breath.
6. Don’t forget that bird feeding/watching is the # 2 outdoor hobby – behind gardening. So, try hanging a bird feeder for our feathered friends. It is so much fun watching all the birds this time of year.
7. The spring, 2019, flower and vegetable seeds are here – along with seed starting supplies. January is a good month to shop for your wanted seeds and supplies.
8. Are you a year-round container gardener like me? For the next couple of months you may want to consider moving container gardens up against the house or a shed just for added protection – especially herbs like rosemary and lavender.

HAPPY GARDENING!!