The PNW Planting Guide January Issue

🌱🏡🌼 The PNW has a maritime climate with mild winters, and January is typically cold and wet. While the outdoor planting options are limited, you can start certain seeds indoors to get a head start on the growing season. Here are some seeds you can consider planting indoors in January for later transplanting or direct sowing when conditions improve:

1. Indoor Seed Starting 🏡:

   • Sunflowers: Start sunflower seeds indoors for vibrant blooms later in the season. Choose a sunny spot for these cheerful flowers.

   • Prairie Gentian: Begin prairie gentian indoors to establish robust plants for transplanting when the weather warms up.

   • Bee Balm (Monarda): Kickstart your bee balm indoors for a head start on attracting pollinators to your garden.

   • Herbs: Some herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme can be started indoors in January.

   • Chives: They are cold-tolerant and can be transplanted outdoors after the last frost.

   • Bulbing Onions: They have a longer growing season and benefit from an early start. Bulbing is dependent on daylength and temperature, not the size or age of the plant, so choosing the proper varieties for your area is critical.

   • Alpine Strawberries: Alpine strawberries can be started indoors from seeds, but they are also well-suited for direct sowing in the garden when the soil is workable.

   • Artichokes: They have a long growing season and benefit from an early start to produce mature plants for the garden.

   • Cardoons: Like artichokes, they have a long growing season and benefit from an early start indoors.

   • Endives: Endives can be directly sown outdoors in January, especially if you have cold-resistant varieties, but we recommend starting those seeds indoors. They are often grown as cool-season crops.

2. Cold-Hardy Vegetables for Direct Sowing 🌱:

   • Lettuce: Certain varieties of lettuce, such as winter gem or Arctic king, are cold-hardy and can be directly sown in the garden if the soil is workable.

   • Spinach: Cold-resistant spinach varieties can be sown outdoors in late January.

   • Kale: Kale is a hardy green that can be directly sown in January for an early spring harvest.

3. Bare-Root Fruit Trees 🍎🌲:

   • Fruit Trees: In some cases, bare-root fruit trees like apples, pears, and cherries can be planted in January, depending on local nursery availability and weather conditions.

Remember to consider your specific microclimate, as conditions can vary even within the PNW. For all the mentioned plants, starting seeds indoors in January can provide a head start on the growing season, especially for those with longer growing periods.

🌼 Direct sowing in the garden may also be possible for some, depending on their cold tolerance and local weather conditions. Check seed packets or local gardening resources for specific recommendations. Your local nursery can provide specific insights based on the current weather patterns.