1. Harvest Summer Crops
If you’ve planted summer vegetables like tomatoes, zucchinis, cucumbers, beans, and peppers, January is the time to start reaping the rewards. Regular harvesting not only provides fresh produce but also encourages plants to continue producing. Here’s what you can harvest in January:
• Tomatoes: Pick them as they ripen, but leave some on the vine for a longer harvest.
• Zucchini and Squash: Harvest while young and tender to prevent them from becoming oversized. Check them daily as they grow like crazy.
• Beans and Peas: Regular picking of beans will encourage more growth.
• Herbs: Trim back your herbs like basil, parsley, and thyme to prevent them from flowering and to keep them bushy.
2. Weeding and Mulching
Weeds can thrive in the warm weather, so make sure to stay on top of them. Use organic mulch such as straw, leaves, or grass clippings to cover soil and suppress weeds. Mulch also helps retain moisture during the hot summer months, keeping your garden’s roots cool and hydrated.
• Weeding: Hand-pull weeds to avoid disturbing the soil. Be particularly vigilant around new seedlings and young plants. Depending on the weeds, I usually just cut weeds tops off and leave the root systems in the ground.
• Mulching: Apply mulch around plants to conserve moisture and protect soil health.
3. Watering
Watering is crucial in January, as the weather can be hot and dry. It’s important to water deeply and regularly, especially for vegetables and fruits, to avoid stress and ensure strong growth.
• Morning or Evening Watering: Try to water early in the morning or in the evening to prevent water from evaporating in the midday heat and burning leaves. You want to water at night a few hours before sundown so there is not water sitting on leaves overnight (to reduce fungal issues).
• Drip Irrigation: Consider installing drip irrigation or soaker hoses for more efficient water delivery directly to the plant roots.
4. Supporting Plants
Many summer crops, especially tomatoes, beans, and peas, need support to stay upright and productive. Check your plants and ensure that they are properly staked or caged to prevent sprawling.
• Tomatoes: If you haven't done so already, stake your tomato plants or set up tomato cages to keep the fruit off the ground and reduce the risk of disease.
• Beans and Peas: Ensure that climbing varieties are well-supported with trellises or netting to avoid them becoming tangled or damaged. If you can’t be bothered with staking you can find bush bean varieties or tomatoes that don’t require anything. Determinate (bushing) varieties tend to fruit all at once though ,so you need to have a plan for your sudden influx of produce. Staked varieties are better for a more spread-out crop production.
5. Pruning and Deadheading Flowers
Pruning your plants during January can help improve air circulation, prevent disease, and encourage new growth. Deadheading spent flowers from your plants will encourage them to keep blooming throughout the summer. I always aim to prune halfway between the full moon and new moon, during dry weather, and not in the heat of the day.
• Prune Dead Growth: Remove any dead or diseased branches from fruit trees, berry bushes, and perennials.
• Deadhead Flowers: Cut off spent flowers from annuals and perennials to promote fresh blooms, especially in plants like marigolds, petunias, and geraniums.
6. Planting for the Season Ahead
While January is mainly about tending to your current crops, it's also a good time to think ahead to autumn and winter. Some crops can be started now for a late-season harvest, or even a head start on next year’s garden.
• Planting: Start sowing cool-season crops like spinach, lettuce, and brassicas (kale, cabbage, broccoli) for an autumn harvest.
• Succession Planting: For crops like beans, lettuce, and herbs, plant out every few weeks to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the season.
7. Managing Pests and Diseases
Warm weather can bring a variety of pests, so it’s essential to keep an eye on your garden and tackle problems as they arise. Organic pest control methods are a safe and effective way to protect your crops without harmful chemicals.
• Monitor for Pests: Check regularly for common pests such as aphids, whiteflies, slugs, and caterpillars. Hand-pick larger pests or use an organic spray like neem oil or insecticidal soap.
• Encourage Beneficial Insects: Invite natural predators such as ladybugs and lacewings to your garden by planting flowers like calendula, yarrow, and cosmos. These insects help control pests like aphids and mites.
The ducks have definitely helped me with slugs, snails, and caterpillars this year, the only challenge we’ve had is with the giant willow aphid which we have been managing with neem oil. I have found that we do need to spray every few weeks during the warm weather to keep on top of these or they make a full comeback. Pests and disease are the way your garden tells you that something isn’t quite right, so they are a great learning tool if you take the time to listen and observe what they are trying to tell you.
8. Fertilizing and Soil Care
Summer can deplete soil nutrients, so keep feeding your garden with organic fertilizers to support continued growth.
• Compost: Use your homemade compost to replenish nutrients in your soil. Apply it around the base of plants as a side-dress.
• Organic Fertilizers: Consider a balanced organic fertilizer for plants showing signs of nutrient deficiency, especially those that are heavy feeders, such as tomatoes, corn, and cucumbers.
Late December I put an organic general fertilizer on my food forest, as the whole system was showing signs of nitrogen deficiency. I will make sure that I add extra nitrogen fixing cover crops and trees this autumn to help with that also.
9. Temporary Shade
During particularly hot spells, some plants might need protection from the harsh midday sun. Setting up shade cloth or providing temporary shade using tall plants can help prevent sunburn on sensitive crops like lettuce, spinach, and herbs.
• Shade Cloth: Use shade netting or lightweight fabric to shield tender plants from the sun during the hottest part of the day.
• Strategic Planting: Position taller plants like corn or sunflowers to provide natural shade for smaller, more delicate crops.
10. Planning for Autumn
As the end of summer approaches, it’s a good time to think about transitioning your garden for autumn. Some crops, like leafy greens, root vegetables, and certain brassicas, can be planted now for a smooth transition into the cooler months.
• Order Seeds for Autumn: Start researching and ordering seeds for autumn and winter crops. Popular options include carrots, parsnips, beets, and brassicas.
• Plan for Crop Rotation: Keep an eye on your crop rotation plan to avoid planting the same family of plants in the same spot year after year, which can help prevent soil depletion and reduce the risk of disease.
Hopefully that has helped you get going in your gardens this month. Have a magickal time in the garden!