January

Order seeds & plan. 

Ah, January — the quiet lull of the gardening year. Most seed catalogs are distributed in December, so January is the best time to order seeds. While the weather outside is blustery, sketch garden plans and dream of June. 

Harvest winter vegetables. 

If you garden year-round (or as close to it as possible in your area), you likely have winter vegetables available at this time of year. In January, I’ll typically have root vegetables, kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and leeks still out in the garden. If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, or if you live in a warmer climate, you may have additional greens, peas, broad beans, and other cool-weather crops. 

Grow indoor flowering bulbs. 

Amaryllis and poinsettia are traditional at Christmas, but paperwhites, narcissus, hyacinth and other bulbs can be grown indoors. The time to plant bulbs in pots for winter bloom is about September. I also bring succulents in the house in winter, and my aloe blooms every year in my south-facing windows.  

Try something fun. 

January can be gray and sad, so it’s a nice time to try a fun plant, especially with kids. Grow an avocado or citrus tree from seed, or grow turmeric or ginger from a grocery-store rhizome. Grow microgreens or herbs on a windowsill. Try a terrarium or even bonsai. Propagate plants indoors (easy to do with ivy, dogwood and willow — all of which will root in water and can be planted outside in spring), or with indoor plants like pothos or philodendron.

It’s also the time of year for fun projects — make your own newspaper seedling pots or plant markers (I’ve seen people make them out of old spoons and canning lids), craft or display dried seeds and flowers, paint or decorate garden decor (flower pots, bird houses, garden statuary or even just rocks), and craft candles, soaps, teas, and all kinds of other things from dried or overwintered herbs.

Care for livestock. 

In winter, livestock often need more intensive care than in better weather. Keep water tanks free of ice. Allow animals to roam and graze whenever the weather is nice, and ensure they’re as protected as they need to be from winter weather. Give animals fresh or green food often to balance their largely hay- or grain-based winter diet. Monitor protein and mineral intake as well, and supplement as needed.

Get outdoors. 

Oh, I know, it’s cold and gray and mucky and probably covered with snow or ice. Get outdoors anyway. Admire that snow, or any plants that are at their best this time of year: hellebore, camellia, holly, evergreens of all types, iris reticulata, crocus, Cornus, witch hazel … or just the outline of bare tree branches against the bright winter sky. Find the beauty in winter.

Complete quick outdoor projects.

On nice days, complete small outdoor projects: cleaning off porches, sharpening lawnmower blades, repairing fences, organizing the shed or garage, and that kind of thing. The weather is so variable at this time of year that it may not be a good time to start multi-day outdoor projects, but all kinds of things can be done in a day or less. Each completed task is one less thing you’ll need to worry about in spring.

Care for birds.

If you started feeding the birds in your backyard, don’t stop when the weather is at its worst. Make sure birdfeeders are accessible and full of food, and that bird baths are kept free of ice. Get the kids involved and make one of those pinecone-peanut butter feeders, or make your own suet. Whatever works. Next year, when the birds are eating all of the mosquitos and flies near your patio, you’ll be glad you did.