January Planting

Dear Folks,

Save this for after the rush of holiday preparation and enjoyment.

January and February is the time to get the last of the winter veggies, herbs and edible flowers in, and to start planning for spring sowing and transplanting.

As much as I love the holidays I look forward to January 1st DAY to plant my potatoes and look forward to the longer days returning, so that is my tradition - I plant my potatoes on New Year's Day.

Have a joyous and safe holiday season, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too!

P. S.  Re-kindle the practice of "Random Acts of Kindness" -- the opportunities are sometimes right in front of you {{hugs}}

-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

JANUARY Planting Guide

Edible Flowers:
Carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus)
English Daisy (Bellis Perennis)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum Majus)
Pansies (Viola X Wittrockiana)
Primrose (Primula Vulgaris)
Scented Geranium
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum Majus)
Stock (Matthiola Incana)
Sweet William Aka Pinks (Dianthus Barbatus)
Herbs & Other Edibles
Artichoke
Asparagus
Beets
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Chard
Fruit, Bare Root
Fruit Trees
Green Onions
Greens 
Herbs, Hardy Perennials
Jerusalem Artichoke
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce
Mustard
Peas
Potatoes
Radishes
Spinach
Strawberry
Turnips

Desert Gardening in January — besides anything the Chamber of Commerce has to say about Valley winters, gardeners are devouring the seed catalogues and gearing up to hit the plant nurseries for January and February gardening - once the holidays are over gardeners can’t wait to get their hands dirty.  If you are a basil, tomato, pepper and/or eggplant lover, now is the time to start your seedlings for transplanting by mid-February.  In the case of tomatoes, these tender perennials need the sufficient time to grow, bloom and flower before really hot summer nights hit.  The peppers and eggplant seem to thrive along side basil in the hot weather, but they still need time to set down a good root system.
    For herbs, there is still time to seed in dill, cilantro, fennel, anise, chervil and parsley.  Here is a tip: seed these cool weather herbs in the garden where they will have some shade come March, and you will be able to harvest into the warming weather before they bloom and go to seed.
    Cool weather edible flowers such as pansies, dianthus, calendula, nasturtium, stock, snap dragon, and chamomile can also be seeded or planted with an eye to some shade in March, extending their glorious display later into spring.