January in the garden
The weather might be serving up some rainy days but your garden will still be growing away quietly, no doubt loving its thorough summer drink.
Long days, warm soil and fast growth make this one of the most rewarding months in the garden. No matter your garden situation, January is all about harvesting, maintaining, and planning ahead.
Harvesting:
Many summer favourites are ready to harvest now, so remember to pick crops like basil, beans, capsicums, cucumbers, courgettes and tomatoes regularly to encourage continued production.
Removing flowering heads from basil and coriander will extend their leaf production also. Re-sow another batch too if you can’t get enough.
Carefully lift any fully grown potatoes according to growing instructions, often once the foliage starts to die back. Eat any potatoes that get speared immediately as they won’t keep for long, otherwise store your potatoes in a cool, dark place to retain their freshness.
Summer is nearly two-thirds gone so it’s about your last chance to plant out any final summer vegetable seedlings you might have or want for your garden too. The weather should still be warm enough for heat loving plants like courgette, cucumber and tomato for another 2-3 months, so to ensure a continued harvest it could be worth popping in some fresh plants if you have space.
Aim to pick your blooming flowers that are just starting to open for maximum vase life, and display them proudly or give away to loved ones. Dead heading any spent blooms also will encourage more fresh flowers and tidy up your flower patch, so don’t be afraid to snip some old flower heads off.
Maintaining:
If you’ve had any tall plants blown over in recent winds then make sure to stake them securely.
Feeding heavy feeders like corn, pumpkins and tomatoes with a liquid fertiliser will help to keep them thriving and humming along.
Mulching will significantly help retain moisture and suppress weeds, so if you haven’t already mulched your garden, consider mulching heavily to keep your soil cool and conserve moisture.
In the coming weeks remember to keep watering during dry periods, and if possible don’t water in the middle of the day to reduce evaporation and maximise your efforts.
Weeds grow very quickly this time of year and especially with all of the recent rain, so stay on top of them to prevent your beloved vegetables, herbs and flowers from losing water and nutrients to unwanted bedmates.
Planning Ahead:
January is a fantastic time to do some forward planning for your garden and the seasons to come.
Succession sowing of your favourite crops like root veggies, leafy greens, and spring onions or even beans will keep your harvests steady and fresh.
If you’re planning to grow things like broccoli, brussell sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, kale or leek from seeds this coming season, it’s a great idea to get them started indoors now or in the next few weeks. By doing so and getting them in the ground in early March you’ll give them a great lead into winter so they can produce strongly for you through the cooler months.
Clear space once your summer crops are spent, and enrich your soil with a layer of compost or organic matter if you can. Cover crops are a great way to protect and rebuild your soil too.
Lots of flowers can be sown and planted now too for enjoying into autumn such as alyssum, calendula, cornflower, cosmos, echinacea, marigolds, and poppies.
January isn’t just about what’s growing now, it’s also about what comes next. A little planning at this time of year leads to a more productive garden well into the cooler months.
With a little care regularly, your veggie, herb and flower garden will stay productive, beautiful and thriving well into autumn.