January: What to plant in Northern California and Central Valley areas

Good Morning Northern CA gardeners! Here in the Central Valley we have frost all over the garden boxes this morning... at 8:30am the entire garden was covered and an hour later about half, the areas still in the shade were dusted with white. The houses across the street and across the Apollo Garden have white roofs ... from frost, that's not the regular color of their rooftops! Beautiful, crisp morning! Are you ready to get started with our New Year crops? Here's the list of things we can plant now... pretty incredible list, we're so blessed to be living in this area to grow so many things nearly year round... even with our frosty white dusting!

Broccoli Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from April.

Carrot Sow in garden.
Harvest from May.

Cauliflower Grow in seed trays, plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from June.

Celeriac Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from May.

Chilli (also Hot peppers)Grow in seed trays,plant out in 4-6 weeks.
Harvest from April.

Coriander (also Cilantro , chinese parsley)Sow in garden. Harvest from March.

Corn Salad (also Lamb's lettuce or Mache) Sow in garden. Harvest from March.

Endive Sow in garden.
Harvest from April.

Globe artichokes Sow in garden.
Harvest from December.

Leeks Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from May.

Marrow Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks.
Harvest from May.

Mizuna(also Japanese Greens,Mitzuna,Mibuna) Sow in garden.
Harvest from March.

Oregano(also Pot Marjoram) Sow in garden,or start in trays. Harvest from March.

Pak Choy Sow in garden.
Harvest from April.

Parsnip Sow in garden.
Harvest from June.

Potato Plant tuber.
Harvest from June.

Pumpkin Sow in garden.
Harvest from May.

Radish Sow in garden.
Harvest from March.

Rocket(also Arugula/Rucola) Sow in garden.
Harvest from March.

Rockmelon (also Canteloupe)
Grow in seed trays, plant out in 4-6 weeks.
Harvest from May.

Rosemary Plant cuttings .
Harvest from 12 months.

Silverbeet (also Swiss Chard or Mangold) Sow in garden. Harvest from April.

Strawberries (from seeds)
Start inside in pots or trays after chilling seeds..
Harvest from 12 months.

Sweet Marjoram (also Knotted marjoram)
Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks.
Harvest from April.

Tomato Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from April.

Turnip Sow in garden.
Harvest from April.

Winter Savory (also Savory) Start in trays.Cover seed lightly.. Harvest from March.

Yam/Oka
(also Oca) Plant tubers about 5cm (1.5") deep covered with soil. Harvest from May.

There ya go... but tomatoes, really??? We're gonna try some in the greenhouse, but harvest from April? We'll see...

Thank you for taking the time to post these. I have quite a bit going and need to get some more seeds for the rest. Time flies!!!

Bump ( a little early). See OP post above.

In a couple of weeks it will be January.  I looked over this list posted 11 months ago.  In 4 weeks I will be starting my seedlings, around January 15!!  This year, I started them February 15th and by the time I set out the seedlings, I felt I was a little behind.  So I will start a little earlier.

Almost have the winter cleanup done.  Now just waiting for the rain . . . and waiting.  We need it so badly. Growing in raised beds with multi-purpose PVC frames for storm protection sure takes away the "flooded my garden" worries.

Bump again.

And still waiting for rain!

sanderson wrote:Bump ( a little early).  See OP post above.

In a couple of weeks it will be January.  I looked over this list posted 11 months ago.  In 4 weeks I will be starting my seedlings, around January 15!!  This year, I started them February 15th and by the time I set out the seedlings, I felt I was a little behind.  So I will start a little earlier.

Almost have the winter cleanup done.  Now just waiting for the rain . . . and waiting.  We need it so badly. Growing in raised beds with multi-purpose PVC frames for storm protection sure takes away the "flooded my garden" worries.

Hi sanderson, thanks so much for "bumping" this old post! I just logged on to post a new one... same info, different year!

Just this morning Al and I were discussing what's gonna be planted in which garden box in our back yard, and in the boxes we have in the Apollo Garden. As always we have huge expectations for the upcoming year... we'll see what gets planted... and where! This year we have two grow lights for inside the house complete with heat mats, etc. We used one late last winter with excellent results here in Modesto, Central Valley in CA. Hope to get some seeds started in a few weeks.

Happy New Year to all ... Let's Get Growing!!
 

 Happy New Year to you and Al.  I'm glad to hear that you haven't worked him to death!   

boffer wrote: Happy New Year to you and Al.  I'm glad to hear that you haven't worked him to death!   

Hey boffer, Happy New Year to you too! Nah, I can't work him to death, gotta keep him healthy for all those "honey-do's" ya know!! 
We're gonna start on the new garden boxes for the back yard this next week. I bought the supplies for him in Nov for his birthday... yes, that's what he wanted... but so far they're just cut pieces of wood, not a garden box yet. Soon... I hope!
Sadly we still have no rain but the weather is gorgeous and great for planting   
... or thinking about planting!

I decided to post for Zone 8b instead of my personal 9a.  Some of the recommendations from Gardenate.com just didn't look or feel right for our actual weather.

This season I will use January to go through my seeds and order/pick up new or replacement ones.  If we do get rain in February and March    , I may not get enough sunlight and soil warmth in the back yard to plant anything too early.  Last spring, most of the squash and cantaloupe rotted and I had to start new seedlings.  All of my tomatoes and purchased replacement tomato seedlings succumbed to curly leaf disease.  No need to repeat what I did last Jan-Feb and expect better outcomes this year.  I'll just push things back 2-4 weeks, starting seeds throughout later February.

Beetroot/Beets-   Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from April
Broccoli-     Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from April
Cabbage-     Plant in garden. Harvest from April
Cape Gooseberry/Golden Berry- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from May
Capsicum/Bell/Sweet/Chili peppers- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from April
Cauliflower- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from June
Celeriac- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from May
Celery- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from June
Eggplant/Aubergine- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from May
Kale/Borecole- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from April
Kohlrabi- Plant in garden. Harvest from April
Lettuce- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from April
Mizuna/Japanese Greens/Mitzuna/Mibuna- Plant in garden. Harvest from March
Mustard greens/Gai choy- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from March
Onion- Plant in garden. Harvest from August
Parsley- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from April
Parsnip- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from June
Peas- Plant in garden. Harvest from April
Potato- Plant in garden. Harvest from June
Radish- Plant in garden. Harvest from March
Rosemary- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from 12 months
Silverbeet/Swiss Chard- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from April
Snow Peas/Sugar Peas/Mangetout/Chinese Peas-   Plant in garden. Harvest from May
Strawberries (from seeds)- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from 12 months
Tomato- Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Harvest from April
Turnip- Plant in garden. Harvest from April

Any recommendations on where to purchase seeds.  I've had average success in the past.  Obviously it has to be the seeds and not the gardener .  I am in zone 9b

I like Baker Creek a LOT.  I also hear good thing about Johnny's Seeds & Seed Saver's Exchange.

I've gotten seeds from Johnny's, Burpee, (cough, the store).  
But most recently I've found a gardener himself that provides the same seeds, without the special packaging and pictures, for only .99 a bag.  I haven't planted any of what I've gotten yet, but he has a wide variety.  ( I watch a lot of his youtube videos)
I have also used local harvest to avoid using corporations such as Burpee or Ferry Morse.  Not that those were bad, but to keep it going to the smaller farmer I guess.  Like mr MIgardener up there.  One was even down the street from me! 

http://migardener.com/  http://migardener.com/store/#!/Vegetable-Seeds/c/5214405/offset=0&sort=normal
lhttp://www.localharvest.org/  http://www.localharvest.org/store/seeds.jsp

Some common seeds you can buy at Home Depot, etc.  Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans, Melting Sugar Snow Peas, Clemson Spineless Okra, Silver Queen corn, etc.  OSH carries Renee's Garden, more expensive, $2.50+, but the packaging is so cute is makes you want to put on your gingham apron and pink gardening gloves.

Now, for the piece de resistance - "The. Seed. Catalog."  Some folks are addicted to them and have had to join a 10-step program.   Others drool endlessly for hours over the pretty pictures.  

http://www.rareseeds.com/request-catalog/  Also, known as Baker Creek.  There's even an outlet in Petaluma.

http://www.seedsavers.org/Catalog.html

I've ordered so many from Baker Creek.

Bumping again. I read the whole thread and noticed I keep changing when I start the indoor seedlings! We may actually get rain this winter, 3" in Fresno for December alone, so I will stay with February.

Sanderson

Now, for the piece de resistance - "The. Seed. Catalog."  Some folks are addicted to them and have had to join a 10-step program.    Others drool endlessly for hours over the pretty pictures.  

http://www.rareseeds.com/request-catalog/  Also, known as Baker Creek.  There's even an outlet in Petaluma.

http://www.seedsavers.org/Catalog.html

I've ordered so many from Baker Creek.

______________________________________________________________________________________
Oh, yeah...  count me in on that one!

(Not sure why my quoting isn't showing up properly...)

I just ordered a bunch of stuff from Pinetree Seeds, but they were out of some things and just didn't have some of the varieties that I wanted. So will put an order into Baker Seeds!

http://www.superseeds.com/

Prices seem very reasonable.

I have very large seedlings sitting in my greenhouse.  I quit covering them at night so they're closer to the outdoor temperatures (probably 5-7 degrees colder outside).  I have to plant them but I'm on INTENSE deadline with the agents hammering me for new art so they have to wait another week.  

I can't wait to get them in the ground, these are winter/spring veggies.  Then I'll get started next month on the spring/summer seedlings.  :-)

What zone are you, AJR?

I'm 8B, we get average lows in the mid to high 20s.  Some years we'll get down to low 20s but have never experienced below that. 

I'm able to grow year around, a lot of fall type produce does just fine in our temps so I have lots of kales, spinach, lettuce, swiss chard, broccoli, cauliflower and the like.  My fall crops were really late his year because our summer was too hot and too long so they're still small and will be spring.

I have a tent style greenhouse that's 10 x 20 x 8 and I grow tomatoes all year, I have herbs growing in there as well as my starts, bell peppers, chili peppers (my salsa garden).

audrey.jeanne.roberts wrote:I'm 8B, we get average lows in the mid to high 20s.  Some years we'll get down to low 20s but have never experienced below that. 

I'm able to grow year around, a lot of fall type produce does just fine in our temps so I have lots of kales, spinach, lettuce, swiss chard, broccoli, cauliflower and the like.  My fall crops were really late his year because our summer was too hot and too long so they're still small and will be spring.

I have a tent style greenhouse that's 10 x 20 x 8 and I grow tomatoes all year, I have herbs growing in there as well as my starts, bell peppers, chili peppers (my salsa garden).

That is cool! I an 5b even though the map always says 6a..we get way colder here. There is a line literally 20 minutes north of here that is 6a....strange.

I really am going to get a cold frame happening for the fall. Won't get me to your temps, but will help!

You could use survival blankets to insulate your cold frames and if I remember right it averages 18 degrees warmth down to zero in the Colorado University study I linked to in the Greenhouse thread (it's back in the early pages).

I use them inside my tent style greenhouse for a greenhouse-inside-a-greenhouse effect which works much like dual glazed windows.  The sun heats the ground during the day, the survival blankets hold that heat in during the night and I open them up each morning so the sun can come in.  

You could also experiment with a hot bed and cold frame system.  The manure rotting below the bed heats the ground in addition to the cold frame above.  Here's a link: http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/factsheets/vegetables/coldframes.pdf

It's all a great big experiment and that's half the fun 

Darn, that article didn't mention how to do hot beds with manure as your heat.  I'll have to find the information I read about it.  I've got it in a book around here somewhere!

I believe it requires being able to dig down 2 to 4 feet deep and not every soil would give that as an option.

I've been doing something similar this year except above ground.  I have an 8 ft. long, 3 ft. wide and about 2-3 foot tall fresh compost pile on the south side of a 2 ft. deep garden bed 8 ft. long.  I have plastic covering over that bed and have managed to keep a zucchini plant alive and actually harvested 3 this week :-)  The pile has been about 80 degrees all winter and just cooled off so I'm refreshing it.  That temp has kept the zucchini safe from several 24 degree nights.

sanderson wrote:Bumping again.  I read the whole thread and noticed I keep changing when I start the indoor seedlings!  We may actually get rain this winter, 3" in Fresno for December alone, so I will stay with February.  

Good morning Sanderson:  This was from last year.  I was thinking to plant out March 13 or thereabouts.  So would I start my seeds February 1?  (I know this is a January thread, but this is where you posted your start date last year )  That would be six weeks, except: If I need to harden them off, wouldn't I have to start earlier?....and now I'm confused again.  
Also, do you have a lighting system?  I have NO window to start mine in.

How do you like this rain?  Cool..huh?

Mellen,  There's no need to start seedlings too early if you don't have a nice green house like Audrey does.    Here is a summary of my notes that I wrote on the seed spread sheet and garden plot plan:

Indoor seed planting:  2/29-3/16   The cucumbers and winter squash were started mid March because the ground needs to be warm or they will get dampening off when transplanted.  March 11, 2016 it was raining cats and dogs!

Transplant seedlings into squares:  4/7 for cucumbers and winter squash.  Most everything else earlier.  (Check in No. Cal thread for dates)

Direct sow: 4/7 beans, okra and sunflowers

Home Depot Shop lights with T8 bulbs are fine for starting seeds indoors.  Keep the lights close to the plants and raise as they grow.  The T8s are cool and won't burn the plants if they touch.  Here is just one of the  threads showing some stands.  There are others.  https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t9532p25-stands-for-grow-lights

My indoor set up in the formal dining room one year.  The lights should have been much closer to the pots!  Live and learn.  

Photo with lights closer.  

April 22, 2016 seedlings that have already hardened-off waiting to be planted. You can see that the some of the tomatoes have already been transplanted into 5-gal buckets. In fact, most of the seedlings have been planted and these are extras waiting for a spot or just tossed??  

Sanderson wrote:Indoor seed planting:  2/29-3/16   The cucumbers and winter squash were started mid March because the ground needs to be warm or they will get dampening off when transplanted. 

Where were you when I was being stupid? I was about to post that my greenhouse cukes were all damped off. Won't make that mistake again. I just can't keep the greenhouse warm enough. OTOH, my indoor cukes are doing just fine.