Here in the Mid-West seed starting is already underway for many of us. Here are some dates and ideas of what you seeds you can start in January.
January 1 – direct sow carrot seed in cold frames
January 4 – pansy, dianthus, snapdragon in flats
January 6 – direct sow peas in cold frames – weather permitting – pea seed will rot if it gets too wet and cold
January 10 – statice in flats
January 11 – parsley, cabbage, celery and onion in flats
January 15 – direct sow carrots and spinach in cold frames
January 18 – begonia and geraniums in flats
January 25 – well established seedlings that were started in flats can be moved into cold frames, weather permitting – remember to do this gradually so seedlings are not shocked unless you have a heated cold frame
Janaury 29 – direct sow carrots in cold frame
The multiple dates for sowing various seeds such as carrots are there for people who succession sow or who did not get the seed sown on the first date.
Filed under Seed Starting by on Jan 12th, 2010. 1 Comment. 
Seed starting time is rolling around in the Midwest once again. If you are seeking early blooms this season, now is the time to start seeds of dianthus and snapdragon.
Also if you didn’t get your pansy and viola seeds started back in November, be sure to start those.
These cool weather plants will do fine, once germinated, in a cool greenhouse. As spring approaches and the weather warms, sometime in mid-March to early April, these young plants can be moved into a cold frame and then on into the garden.
Once they have been hardened off, they are sure to survive light frosts. Should a severe frost threaten your area, simply cover them with a make shift cold frame made out of an old milk carton or two liter plastic bottle. Be sure to vent the cold frame so the plants do not cook when the sun comes up the next day.
Filed under Flower Gardening, Seed Starting by on Jan 5th, 2010. 1 Comment.
Reader’s Thoughts