This January feels a bit different. Yes, we have had cold, we have had snow, but for some reason, the garden has not felt so far away as it usually does. Perhaps it is the temperature fluctuations. We have warmer-than-usual temperatures mixed in with extreme cold, making routine walks in the garden more common. Or, perhaps it the fact that we don’t have snow and ice everywhere! 🤷🏼♀️
This week has moved to extreme cold. No measurable snow but yes that biting cold sure feels like January!
POTTING SHED PUTTERINGS:
In January I am more than grateful for my Potting Shed. Oh how this tiny space adds to my quality of life. 😅 And I’m not going to lie… I am particularly crazy about this String of Pearls.
SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS
Right now it’s all about seeds and seedlings. My seed supply has been organized and new seeds have been purchased.
NEW SEED VARIETIES I’M TRYING
- Celosia: Celway Terracotta
- Gomphrena: Audray Pink / Strawberry Fields
- Verbena: Vanity
- Coneflower: Green Twister
- Paper Flower/Immortella
- Balloon Flower (Seeds from a friend)
So far here is what I am winter sowing…
- All the above +
- Foxglove: Dalmatian Purple & Peach
- Marigold: Queen Sophia
- Strawflower: Vintage White & Apricot Mix
- Onion: Yellow of Parma
APRIL “WINTER” SOWING
- Tomatoes
- Zinnias: Benary’s Giant Salmon Rose & Wine, Linen, Zydeco White & Queeny Lime Orange
- Holy Basil
- Boxwood Basil
Yes, January is the time to start! I have sent the first brave starts outside this week to get all the cold they need to be their best selves! They will have neighbors soon.
WINTER SOWING NOTES
If you are new to Winter Sowing, here is a previous article I wrote that has detailed instructions. (LINK)
BOXWOOD BASIL
Have you tried Boxwood Basil? It has become one of my favorite things to grow. Instead of culinary purposes, I use it for borders and garden accents! See below… Doesn’t it look like lush boxwood?
Love how it looks in the herb garden particularly.
If you need a bit of green… here’s a Short YouTube Video of the Herb Garden from last August when the Boxwood was showing off. (LINK)
If you want to see other videos from my garden. Here’s a link to the YouTube channel. (LINK) Most of my videos are short and sweet. Many I do under the umbrella of Bloom Thyme Minute!
PLANTED!
These are planted and under grow lights in the Potting Shed… 🥳
- Lisianthus: Lavender F1
- Lisianthus: Light Apricot F1
- MultiBloom Red Geraniums
LISIANTHUS
Lisianthus is a slow grower, so even though I won’t plant her out until late April or early May, she has to be started now to be more than a tiny babe by that time. Here is a gallery of lisianthus taking her sweet time reaching her glory. But oh, she does! I do “support” my Lisianthus, and have found a grid trellis that works well. I have tried many grid “systems”; this really is the best, and it’s black, so it practically disappears in pictures. (See in gallery below.) (GRID TRELLIS LINK)
Lisianthus Time Machine for those I grew in 2024…
INDIANAPOLIS ROSE SOCIETY
If you are local, it’s time to take a look at the wonderful roses that are a part of our annual rose sale. It is a fabulous list. Remember, place orders now for April delivery. It is first come / first serve and there are limited supplies!
All the details are HERE.
ROSE CHAT PODCAST
While we are on holiday, you can find the past shows HERE.
The most recent podcast was an important one. If you haven’t had a chance to listen you can do so here.
TODAY…
As I look out today snow is gently falling in that snow globe way. Not stacking up but giving everything in the garden a special sparkle – reminding me of the scripture…
The whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:3
NEXT UP
Now that seeds are underway, my planning is now moving to the roses and making final decisions on what I will add this year. There are so many great ones out there! We’ll talk about that next time.
Yes, January is a wonderful time for planning and for looking back…
