5 Ways to Refresh Your Garden This January
with Alana Unruh of Busy Bee Nursery in Macon, MS
The air may be chilly, and the sky may be gray. And yet, as the holiday rush melts into more familiar routines--and the promise of a brand-new growing season stretches out enticingly before us--we can't help but scheme and dream about the year ahead.
It's a feeling Alana Unruh embraces this time of year at Busy Bee Nursery in Macon, Mississippi. Today, she shares her professional tips on how to make the most of this slower, quieter season to cultivate a garden that brings joy throughout the year.
Start seeds indoors
Happily, for those in and around Zone 8 (like most Busy Bee patrons and Penick Organics users), the list of seeds we can plant indoors in January is delightfully long.
Bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, celery, leeks, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme can all be started from seed indoors, 8 weeks before the typical last frost date--roughly early-to-mid January for Zone 8 growers. By the beginning of February, we can start seeds for arugula, eggplant, kale--and yes, even tomatoes.
But how? This primer takes you step by step:
Start Seed Indoors Like A Pro
At Busy Bee Nursery, Alana starts all their vegetables by seed each winter. Follow her tips to start seeds indoors like a pro.
Step One: Pick A Spot
The ideal location will provide enough light and warmth, while also being convenient for frequent watering and observation.
Step Two: Gather Supplies
You will need: Planting trays (empty egg cartons can work in a pinch!), the seeds, and a special planting medium. Seeds, it turns out, can be picky.
"It is good to have a different dirt than regular potting soil. Something finer," says Alana. In typical potting soil, with larger particles and pieces of bark, seeds won't come up as well.
Step Three: Keep Them Watered
Once the seeds are planted, the next challenge is to keep them from drying out. "When you have these little seed trays, they dry out sooner than you think," Alana cautions, "especially if they're by a bright window--which will likely be the case. Since they don't yet have established roots, they're going to need plenty of water," she says.
About a week before it's time to bring them outdoors, the seedlings may be gradually "hardened off" to adjust to outside conditions. Then they can graduate from the seed-starting mix into a nutrient-rich, well-drained garden soil. Not surprisingly, Alana says, "We recommend Dan's Dirt for raised beds!"
Look At Your Layout
In January, "People wanting to landscape are starting to think about their shrubs and what they're going to need," says Alana. That's because the best time to view the layout of your yard (and make adjustments) is right now. When deciduous trees are still bare, and the color palette is still rather muted, it's much easier to see when something is off-balance.
Whether you're absolutely in love with the appearance of your yard, or want to make changes, now is the time to take stock of what's needed to maintain or improve the look. Before heading out to the garden center, make a cup of your favorite warm beverage and step outside for a moment of observation. Ask yourself:
Are there trees or shrubs that need pruning?
Do any dead shrubs need to be replaced?*
Are there declining shrubs that need attention?
Are there spots that aren't balanced visually?
These overall make-or-break elements tend to be large-scale trees, shrubs, and hardscapes. Fortunately, January is a great time to address them. Landscape crews are slower and therefore often easier to schedule; and most shrubs are in their dormant phase, so they'll naturally put more energy into growing roots.
*Some trees or shrubs may appear dead, especially after a very hard freeze. If this happens to a plant with a special meaning to you, and you are reluctant to replace it, give it until May to watch for signs of new growth. It may surprise you, yet!
Plant Fruit Trees
It's not too late, and you won't regret it. Just think: Plums, figs, and blueberries in the summer. Muscadines, pears, and persimmons in the fall. Nut trees, too--especially pecans--also thrive in our deep South region.
When people buy fruit trees, Alana and her team at Busy Bee always recommend adding Loamate to their soil. "It's really good to use when you're planting trees and shrubs. You dump 1/3 to 1/2 bag around a plant when you're planting it," say's Alana.
As already mentioned, it's best to plant trees and shrubs when they're dormant. Alana's personal favorite month for planting trees and shrubs is November, but January isn't too late. "People always think it's too late in {the winter}, and I'm like, this is actually a great time!" she says. Though trees can be planted in the warmer months, they experience more stress, and take more maintenance.
4. Clean and Organize
Take advantage of a time when there's less weeding and watering to put your potting bench in order. Brush cobwebs and dried dirt off pots and trowels, store upside-down so they don't collect water that attracts mosquitoes, and swipe metal tools with an oiled rag after cleaning.
Sharpen Blades
Pruners, loppers, shears, snips, and mowers all work best when sharp, and need sharpening from time to time. January is a great time of year to take care of this chore so they're at their best next time you need to make a clean cut. Your roses, shrubs, and lawn will thank you.
Stock Up On Supplies
How many times have you started to up-pot a houseplant or freshen a container, only to find you've run out of some crucial item? Now's the time to take inventory and stock up on supplies. What that means, exactly, depends on your plans:
Do you fancy mounds of colorful flowers overflowing from containers, pots, and baskets? Look for containers that drain well, and high-quality potting soil. "People love Digger's Delight. They say it's way better than Miracle Gro," Alana observes. "It's great for pots and baskets. People use it for houseplants, too," she says. But, she adds, "if people are having problems with their plants being too wet, they could try Penick Organics Professional Planting Mix, in the green bag," since it drains faster.
Scheming up a shrubbery screen to shield an unsightly view? As Alana already mentioned, you'll want plenty of Loamate to help new shrubs get established. Also on the list? Sharp pruners or electric shears if you want to maintain a certain shape or height, and a plan to keep them watered--whether by an irrigation system, soaker hoses, or sprinklers.
Hoping for home-grown veggies? Remember tomatoes need support from cages or stakes, and climbers like pole beans and cucumbers will need a trellis. You'll also want to have Neem oil at the ready for a safe, organics defense against pests. And of course, Dan's Dirt helps vegetables flourish in raised beds.
Busy Bee Nursery in Macon, Mississippi And now, it's time for the fun part: Head to your favorite independent garden center, with your new year's plans and shopping list in tow. Someone like Alana will be ready to help you start a brand new year in the garden.
By Jessica Russell Hilton for Penick Organics
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