Time to plan (and shop)!
January in the Garden
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you are probably pretty chilly right about now. Here in Upstate New York we are experiencing a particularly snowy and frigid winter already, with a few more months still to go! So you might be asking yourself why as gardeners we are so excited that it is January!! The answer is: SEED SHOPPING!
Sweet Farm is in growing Zone 6b, which gives us an expected winter low temperature of -5 degrees Fahrenheit and an expected last frost date of mid-May, which means we start a lot of our flowers and veggies in a greenhouse during the late winter to get them off to a strong start and extend our short growing season. That makes January seed shopping time, and one of our favorite times of the year. At Sweet Farm we like to grow heirloom seeds that showcase the biodiversity of the amazing plants we eat. Did you know that there are over 10,000 types of tomatoes in the world? They come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. And that's just tomatoes! But more importantly, maintaining that biodiversity helps protect against the impacts of climate change, allowing plants to grow and adapt to changing conditions.
January at Sweet Farm
This year we will have over 15,000 seeds being started in the greenhouses. Honoring our dedication to biodiversity as well as our tagline of "50 acres to change the world," this year we will be growing 50 kinds of tomatoes, 50 kinds of peppers, and 50 kinds of garlic. For flowers, we'll be going big on flowers that can dried and enjoyed year round, like celosia, strawflowers and amaranth, as well as lots and lots of beautiful cutting flowers like snapdragons, zinnias, and cosmos, plus bare root perennials like peonies and roses. If you are as excited to shop for seeds as we are, we recommend checking out Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek, Territorial Seeds, Siskyou Seeds, High Mowing, and Wild Boar Farms.
January is also time to order early spring plants that go into the ground before or around your last frost. We recommend getting your orders in now for things like potatoes and onions, and perennials like rhubarb, asparagus, and berry plants. Check out the selections from Maine Potato Lady, Dixondale Farms, and Nourse. Consider adding native plants to your landscape that will provide food for local wildlife in coming seasons! Check out this link to search for plants that are native to your area, and that support specific types of wildlife.
Why grow heirloom?
Choosing to grow heirloom garden varieties over hybrids can offer a multitude of benefits. Heirloom plants, with their rich history and diverse genetic makeup, often boast unique flavors, textures, and appearances that can't be replicated by hybrids. By cultivating heirlooms, gardeners contribute to preserving biodiversity and safeguarding rare plant varieties from extinction. Additionally, heirlooms typically adapt well to local climates and soil conditions, fostering resilience and reducing the need for chemical inputs. Moreover, saving seeds from heirloom plants allows for self-sufficiency and the continuation of time-honored gardening traditions. Ultimately, opting for heirloom garden varieties ensures a deeper connection to the land, promotes sustainability, and celebrates the cultural heritage embedded in these cherished plants.
What we are doing in the garden in January:
Cataloguing seeds
Ordering seeds and perennial plants
Planning companion planting
Mapping out beds
Calculating space needs
Seed starting: cold weather crops and long-growing crops
Want to grow your own food but not sure how to get started? We got you!
Join us in person at our farm in Himrod, NY...OR dial in and join us remotely!
Attend this FREE workshop and learn how to:
Select plants that will work well in your garden
Prepare your space for planting
Design your garden layout
Tend and harvest your bounty!
