January slips by fast, and once you see February looming, you know it is time to start planning again. Overall, I don’t plant much in January, my push is come February, but there are a few below that can be started this week (and through February), so I am writing this post a few days in advance.
We live in grow zone 8b, which much of Island County, Washington is in. We are overall temperate, with wet winters, but not a lot of snow or freezing days (we get frosts, but rarely get deep freezes) with sunny days sprinkled through to dry out. This advice can apply to those in Zone 7 through 8 in the United States though, if you are in a zone 7, just plant a week or two later.
Garden tasks to get done this month:
- Figure out what you want to grow in the coming year, and purchase seeds. Now is your chance to get the best (and freshest) selections. This year do not hesitate.
- Plan your garden layout for the year. Go walk outside, take photos, make sketches, even measure if need be. Work it out on paper, or online, using a program (there are a number of free ones, I prefer paper myself).
- Clean up your garden work storage space – whether it is a shed, garage or a greenhouse.
- Sharpen, and clean tools. Things get dirty in storage, and rust can set in. This gives you time to purchase new tools if needed, if something is broke.
- Clean up tree debris, such as fallen branches and pinecones.
- Assess fruit and nut trees for minor pruning, if needed.
- If the ground isn’t frozen, plant bare root trees and shrubs. Bare root items tend to show up in nearly February in nurseries and stores. Buy early, before the items sit in hot stores.
- Plant asparagus bare roots.
- If using raised beds for crops, start making them. If existing, turn the soil over and remove weeds. Add more soil if needed.
- If planning on in ground gardening, consider getting it ready – cover with cardboard to smother weeds, or get garden tarps down. Working in amendments can be tricky this early due to heavy rains in the PNW.
- If you have ignored your compost bin, work on it. At minimum, start turning it weekly. Add in leaves if you have them. If you have animals, work in their manure and any wood chips.
What seeds to start in the greenhouse/indoors this month:
Below are seeds you can start in late January to February, which are either colder-weather crops, or need a longer start time – especially crops with a grow times of 80 and up days, in shorter grow time zones. The dates are not set in stone, it is a guide of what week may be most preferable to get them started. Needless to say, the start of February is a good time to have seeds on hand, potting soil and small pots – and a sunny window, greenhouse or grow light system on hand. And if you start them later? It’s OK for many crops. And for temperamental ones like broccoli, you always can grow those as a fall crop, where they often fare better than in spring, if you miss the window, or late winter is too warm and they bolt to seed.
I don’t plant outside this time of year due to the seasonal rains. The seeds just don’t do well.
Artichokes:
Indoors February 18th.
Beets:
Indoors February 18th.
Broccoli:
Indoors February 18th.
Brussel Sprouts:
Indoors February 18th.
Cauliflower:
Indoors February 18th.
Celery:
Indoors February 18th.
Chard:
Indoors February 18th.
Collards:
Indoors February 11th.
Herbs:
Indoors late February to early March.
Kale:
Indoors February 7th.
Kohlrabi:
Indoors February 7th.
Leeks:
Indoors end of January/early February.
Lettuce:
Indoors February 1st (if you want an early spring crop), and continue to seed starts every 2 weeks on.
Onions, from seed:
Indoors from January 21st to end of February for large onions (such as Walla Walla) to end of February for bunching onions (green onions).
Peas:
Direct seed February 18th to March 8th.
Peppers:
Indoor January 21st to February 18th. Keep inside a greenhouse until last frost has passed.
Rhubarb, from seed:
Indoor January 21st to February 18th. Keep in greenhouse until after last frost has passed.
Spinach:
Indoor February 1st, repeat seeding every 2 weeks until middle of Spring, as it will bolt.
Strawberry, Alpine:
Indoor January 21st to end of February.
Tomatoes:
Indoor February 18th and on, can be started throughout March for dwarf and cold weather types.
~Sarah