January is here and that means there are things we can now do for the garden without seeming like it’s too early. Honestly gardening is part of my life year round, even with snow on the ground and frigid temperatures, it has my heart. I want to share this brief list of garden tasks we can do now to be prepared for the growing seasons ahead. It gives us something to do while we patiently or not so patiently wait for temperatures to rise and daylight hours to grow so we can dig in the dirt.

• Read through last years garden journal to see what worked, what didn’t and where you want to make any changes. Also decide if the way you have been recording your garden journey is working for you, make changes where needed before the season starts.
• Decide what you want to plant this year, will there be any new varieties or plants you want to try? Did any new recipes you made last year end up on repeat? You may want to look at those ingredients and see what you can grow yourself.
• Map out where you want to plant what for each growing season. (Cold, cool, warm and hot, depending on your climate.)
• Go through your current seed supply to see what you need to order and make a list. You may want to make your list based on seasons. (I store my seeds by growing season in photo containers, it makes it much easier to have the right seeds for the right time in one place.) This also helps you see any gaps you may have in your growing space.
• Go through your seed catalogs, which I am guessing if you are anything like me you have been thumbing through the pages since they arrived, eagerly awaiting the time to finalize orders. Order from your list of needed seeds, but don’t forget to order at least one new plant to try whether it’s food, herbs or flowers it may become a favorite you grow year after year.
• You can now sterilize/clean and organize your seed starting supplies if you start seeds, if you haven’t attempted starting seeds on your own, maybe this is the year you give it a go! Order any needed supplies.
• Clean and sharpen your garden tools so they’ll be ready to go. You may have already done this at the end of the season last year, which is when I recommend to do it. (At least the cleaning part so your tools are not sitting through winter dirty.)
• Make sure you have a good supply of any garden amendments that you use. (Worm castings, organic sprays, organic fertilizer, etc.)
• If you plan to add on growing spaces to your garden this year create your supply list and gather everything you need. The sooner you have everything ready, the quicker you can get it in place and start growing.
• There is still time to read up on some gardening skills or watch gardening videos to lock in what you have already learned or want to learn for the coming season.
• Make an appointment with a garden coach for any help you might need. A quality garden coach can help answer questions or concerns you might have and help create an action plan to set you up for success.
• Depending on your temperatures you may even be able to start seeds either indoors or under frost protection like row covers or plastic agriculture covers.
• If you haven’t already started any herbs in containers to grow in a sunny windowsill, now is the time. You can move them to your garden after the last frost or make a dedicated herb planter in your garden or on a patio in larger containers from your windowsill herbs.

I feel like January is really the time to start thinking about the garden again, making plans and ordering supplies. It’s just the beginning of what will hopefully be a fruitful growing season. I wish you the very best in the coming growing seasons and wish for you many harvests and heartfelt moments in your garden. May your garden be a sanctuary.

Connect with me on Instagram: @candicecullen