What to Plant in January in Central Texas
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Most North Americans have laid their garden to rest come December, but in Central Texas spring garden prep is in full swing, and in most cases, we are still able to transplant and direct sow even more garden veggies.
The new year offers a fresh start. Salad season is in full swing and you can continually harvest and rotate planting leafy greens. January is also the perfect time to plant your fruit trees and get potato tubers in the ground. Towards the end of the month you can start some of your spring and summer plants indoors, such as eggplant, tomatoes and peppers. Winter doesn’t have to be boring in the garden here in zone 8b/9!
Freshly Harvested Yellow Canary Swiss Chard
What to Grow in January in Austin, Texas
Before I share what vegetables you can grow at this time of year, January is an excellent time to grow microgreens indoors! Here is a great kit to get started . Winter months are a prime time to grow and harvest fast growing vegetables such as salad greens and root crops in Central Texas. By growing microgreens indoors you can boost your nutrition and compliment your garden-to-plate recipes.
Below are the traditional winter vegetables that I recommend planting in your kitchen garden with links to my favorite winter varieties for seeds you're directly planting into the ground. For any transplants, visit your local nursery to get a head start on the season!
VEGETABLE SEEDS TO SOW OR TRANSPLANT
(DS) Direct sow (T) Transplant (DS/T) Direct sow OR Transplant (SI) Start Indoors
EARLY JANUARY:
Broccoli (T), Brussels Sprouts (T), Cabbage (T) , Cauliflower (T), Celery (T), Chard (T), Collards (T), Kale (T), Kohlrabi (T), Leeks (T), Head Lettuce (T), Onions (T), Radicchio (T), Scallions (T), Spinach (DS/T)
ALL OF JANUARY:
Artichoke (DS), Asparagus (T crowns), Arugula (DS), Carrots (DS), Beets (DS), Leaf Lettuce (DS), Mustards (DS), Peas (DS), Radishes (DS), Scallions (DS/T)
LATE JANUARY:
Eggplant (SI), Cherry Tomatoes (SI), Tomatoes (SI), Hot Peppers (SI), Sweet Peppers (SI)
Red cabbage
Fruit Trees to PLant in january in austin
Apples, peaches, pecans, pears, pomegranates, persimmons, figs, almonds, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries
Companion Herbs and Flowers
ANNUAL FLOWERS TO TRANSPLANT
pansies, violas, calendula, snapdragon, larkspur, ornamental kale, bluebonnets, poppiesHERBS
Protect the more sensitive herbs such as cilantro and chives from any temperatures below freezing.
chervil, cilantro, chives, dill, parsley, feverfew, oregano, sorrel, thyme
January Garden Tasks to Help Prepare for Spring
Extend: Continue to sow lettuce , beets , and radish every few weeks for an extended harvest.
Plan: Still need to layout your spring garden? Schedule a 15 minute Garden Discover Call to gain clarity.
Maintain: If you want to wait until spring to plant, work in 3-4 inches of compost to the top of your garden beds. I would also consider throwing cover crops into dormant beds to maintain or boost soil health. December is a great time to fix nutrients back into your hardworking soil. Your spring plants will appreciate the additional nutrients.
Protect: We had quite a cold December this year! I personally lost many of my crops simply because I was out of town and had my (ehh ehm) hubby do the frost covers. If you haven’t purchased frost cloth I highly recommend having it on hand in case of erratic weather shifts.
Harvest: Continue to harvest and clean up debris and enjoy your greens!
Resources for Gardening in January
We are always aiming to provide quality gardening resources to make your gardening stress-free. Below are some of my favorite seed sources for the growing seasons.
Seed Sources For your Winter Garden
BOTANICAL INTEREST
SEEDSNOW
HIGH MOWING SEEDS
RENEE’S GARDEN SEEDS
It’s not too late to start your own edible garden! The Seed Sage is still scheduling for Winter/Spring Garden installations. Living in Central Texas gives us year-round growing seasons. Grow your organic garden today to live the garden-to-plate lifestyle!
If you are still needing help planning your garden this year, learn more through The Seed Sage’s Services. Order a custom garden design or plant plan to get a head start on the Spring Season.
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SEASONAL, GARDEN-TO-PLATE RECIPES
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Gardening in Central Texas, specifically in zones 8b and 9, presents a unique opportunity for growing a variety of flavorful and healthful crops. Among these, garlic and shallots stand out as excellent choices for both novice and experienced gardeners. Here’s why you should consider adding these culinary staples to your garden.