January is the perfect month to get a good foothold on the spring garden. Believe it or not, January is the month to take action.
Decide which vegetables and fruits you wish to grow this year. It is important to understand that some plants are annuals and must be planted each and every year to produce. Other plants such as some berries and other fruits are perennials and once planted will last several years and bear fruit.
One example is a peach tree. A peach tree will usually effectively last for 8 years. The primary bearing years will be the third through the seventh year. For anyone with a good climate and soil for peaches should be prepared to plant more than one tree --- at least two, but several years apart. Plant one tree this year and another in 4 years for a constant annual crop. There are other fruits and herbs that can be planted once and supplemented in a year or in several years for a consistent product.
In preparation for a productive growing season, a few things that can be done in January include:
- Determine what you will grow this year. It is always better to plan ahead rather than just buying seeds whenever you see something you might like. Of course, we still try something new and different each year and yes, we do buy on the spur of the moment. But, overall it is best to know the "regulars" in the garden.
- Determine how much space an outdoor garden will require and how many plants you will need to plant. Even if you start with seeds, you may not --- and probably will not need to plant all the seedlings in the garden. A plant of two in many cases will suffice. If starting from seeds, you can always offer a couple of seedlings to a neighbor when you discover you have way too many.
- Determine what ground preparation is necessary for each of the types of vegetables. Some plants require more acid soils. Others like alkaline. The point is simple enough. All plants, like all people, are not alike. They have different preferences to grow and thrive and become productive. Lay out the garden on paper or stake the garden if weather permits. Begin to prepare the soil.
- Order your seeds or seed kits early. They will be fine for a few months without opening.
- Check all your outdoor tools. If you did not clean them when the season ended, do it now. That means taking the hoe to be sharpened, repairing the handle on the spade shovel, and so on. Check the electric or gas tools and equipment as now is the best time of year to take them in for repairs if they need them.
- Of course, it is the best time of year to begin looking for greenhouses --- large or small --- tunnels, cold frames, tillers, and so on. You still have time to make good purchases before the planting season is here.
- Prepare! There is nothing more fun that planting the garden when you are prepared. There is nothing that will keep the garden from becoming productive like lack of preparation.
Related articles of interest:
» Protect Seedlings with a Garden Tunnel after Early Planting
» Using a Cold Frame for Early Planting
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