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Those flowers and vegetables that develop over a long period should be sown for seedlings in January. Winter is the time to grow greens on the windowsill. It's time to start propagating berry crops.
Summer colors will decorate the flowerbed already in May if the seedlings are grown early
Pros and cons of early planting
By sowing various flowers in January, they obtain unique specimens to decorate the garden. Sowing vegetable and flower crops in January has its own positive features:
- vegetables will ripen in early summer;
- seedlings are strong and stable;
- growing unique flowers through seedlings is cheaper;
- plants from seedlings bloom longer and much more luxuriantly than those sown in the ground;
- the flower garden is more orderly because the seedlings are larger than the emerging weeds.
It is necessary to mention the disadvantages of sowing flowers in January for seedlings:
- the labor-intensive process takes time;
- the need for horizontal planes for containers with seedlings;
- installation of devices for additional lighting;
- installing air humidifiers to prevent young plants from drying out from the heat coming from the battery;
- Seedlings on windowsills are protected from the cold on frosty days.
What vegetables are planted for seedlings in January?
Vegetables sown for seedlings in January will delight you with an early harvest. The first of these crops is celery, the full development cycle of which is more than 5 months. Propagated by seedlings of root and petiole species. Harvest potato seeds are also sown in mid-winter, placed in peat tablets. They begin to grow seedlings of late varieties of peppers, eggplants, and unique late tomatoes early. All other varieties that ripen in early and mid-season are sown much later or, if grown in heated greenhouses, planted from the beginning of April. Another crop that needs to be grown from January is onions, leeks and nigella.
What greens to sow in January for seedlings
A winter windowsill is a good place to grow vitamin greens. In containers with a small amount of soil or other nutritious substrate, chives are sown to collect tender young feathers, parsley, celery, cilantro and dill. In order for all crops to be sufficiently developed, daylight hours are extended to 13-14 hours.
The cultivation of so-called microgreens is widespread:
- Place paper napkins or hydrogel on a wide flat plate, which should be constantly damp;
- sprinkle the seeds of any vegetable crops on top - watercress, cabbage, chard, beets, mustard, lettuce, onions, arugula;
- small green sprouts are cut off after 10-12 days.
To constantly receive vitamin greens, the process is repeated in different containers after 7-10 days.
What berries to plant in January for seedlings
In the middle of winter, in January, you can plant seedlings of various berry crops - strawberries, wild strawberries and raspberries. Seeds of berry crops with a hard top layer are first kept in warm water for several hours, and then dried and treated with growth stimulants. The best substrate for seedlings is sand, humus and garden soil. To ensure that the seeds of berry crops germinate, they are stratified by placing them in the refrigerator for 30-50 days. From the substrate transferred to the heat, sprouts appear on days 12-20, sometimes later. Shoots with 2 true leaves are planted in separate containers. They are transplanted into open ground with warmth. By growing strawberries using this algorithm, you get a harvest by the end of July or in August.
What flowers to plant in January
The seeds of your favorite flowers are disinfected. Then they are treated according to the instructions with Epin, Zircon, HB-101 or others.
Carnation Shabo
The crop is sown in winter and produces luxurious inflorescences in June. Now many terry varieties with different colors of petals have been bred. The seeds are laid out on the soil and sprinkled with sand on top. Place film or glass on the container until sprouts appear. The culture is drought-resistant and sun-loving, prefers to grow in dry areas, without stagnant water.
Carnation Shabot blooms almost six months after the seedlings appear
Viola
The bright flowers of pansies will show their lush bloom in May if the seeds are sown for seedlings in January. For good germination, snow is placed on the substrate and the entire mass is slightly compacted. Small grains are spread over the snow.When melting, the seeds are carried deeper and then germinate in the substrate.
Viola is also called Wittrock's violet.
Aquilegia
Airy, dancing elf flowers - multi-colored aquilegia develops well in the sun in the middle zone. In the southern regions, plants are planted in semi-shaded areas and watered regularly. Seeds sown on a fertile substrate are lightly sprinkled with sand. The container in the bag is placed in the refrigerator or buried under the snow for 30-45 days. In February and early March, the container is moved to a warm place, and aquilegia quickly germinates.
When working with columbine seeds, you must remember that they contain toxic substances
Eustoma
The Irish rose, or exquisite eustoma, takes up to 6 months to form buds. January is the right time to sow crops. The seeds are scattered over the surface of the soil and lightly covered with sand. When using peat tablets, the grains are gently pressed into the substrate, swollen with moisture.
The plant requires artificial lighting for at least 13 hours a day.
Pelargonium
The popular flower amazes with its many varieties and colors of petals. The zonal species is sown in January; as a result of careful care of the seedlings, ornamental plants are obtained to decorate the garden by the beginning of June. Seedlings are always placed in the sun. Taking care that the bush is covered with lush flowering caps, constantly pinch the shoots growing upward, water it abundantly and loosen the soil. Pelargonium grains are large; they need to be sprinkled with soil and lightly compacted. Sprouts sprout within a week.
To ensure that pelargonium stems are strong and durable, they provide long daylight hours
Lavender
Lavender seeds take a very long time to germinate. Success in propagating essential oil crops is achieved by those gardeners who stratify the seed starting in January, placing the container in a plastic bag in the refrigerator or under the snow for 45-60 days. At the end of February, the container is placed in a warm place, sprouts appear after 12 days. Lavender seedlings are planted in a sunny area where there is some sand, clay and stones. Lavender will not grow in acidic soils; it prefers alkaline soils.
Lavender is not watered often; the shrub develops better in a dry area
Verbena
Verbena seedlings take a long time to develop. For early formation of buds, by June, hybrid verbena is sown in January. Seedlings appear after 2-3 weeks or later. Before sowing, the seeds are treated with stimulants. The crop requires moderate watering and a sunny area, since verbena is drought-resistant. Multi-colored buds continue to form until late autumn.
Hybrid verbena creates beautiful kaleidoscopes in any flower bed
Primrose
The grains of a slow-growing crop are very small; they are simply scattered on the substrate. Then sprinkle with snow. In January, the container is placed in the refrigerator for 20-30 days. In mid-February, early March, the containers are transferred to a warm place, shoots appear in 14-25 days.
Experienced gardeners recommend adding a third of vermiculite and perlite to the primrose substrate
Delphinium
Before sowing, delphinium seeds are soaked in a stimulant and stratified for a month. Delphiniums develop better in sunny areas; they prefer fertile loams with a neutral reaction. The plants are watered regularly, but it is a drought-tolerant crop. For vigorous flowering, fertilizing is required.
Multi-colored hybrid delphinium candles will bloom at the end of June if the crop is sown in January
Lobelia
Graceful lobelia flowers of different colors are obtained from seedlings, which begin to be grown in January. Seedlings appear after 9-12 days. Many delicate seedlings die in the cotyledon formation phase. The seeds are scattered on the substrate, the top of the container is covered with film or glass, always shading it from direct sunlight. Seedlings develop very slowly, the time until buds form is at least 70-90 days. The delicate flower crop requires sufficient lighting at the age of the seedlings and moderate watering.
Lobelia buds bloom until late autumn
Petunia
Petunia seeds are sown on the substrate and are not even compacted with the soil. Good seed germinates in 13-15 days, sometimes longer. To harden fragile sprouts, petunia is kept for 6-8 days at a temperature not exceeding 16 °C.
A good result is obtained after placing petunia seeds in peat tablets. During germination, the container is covered with film or glass on top, ensuring stable humidity.
In January, ampelous and fringed petunia are planted
Antirrinum
The lush variety of colors of Antirrinum major pleases in May-June after caring for the seedlings starting in January. The substrate with seeds is kept in the light, but covered with film or glass to maintain moisture. Sprouts appear after 1-2 weeks. The seedlings develop very slowly.
Snapdragon is light- and moisture-loving, cold-resistant
What other flowers are planted as seedlings in January?
Many plants develop over a long period of time. Having sowed them in January and grown strong and stable seedlings, they enjoy early flowering. In January they sow gillyflowers, gerberas, gatsaniya, balsam, heliotrope, graceful groundsel, spurge, bellflower, helenium, gaillardia and other crops.
Advice from professionals
Among the most common rules for sowing flowers in January for seedlings is surface sowing of small seeds. Many crops also require stratification. The following factors play a huge role in the development of seedlings:
- lighting using phyto- and fluorescent lamps for 12-14 hours;
- air humidification;
- if the plant has a tap root, use peat tablets for the substrate;
- water moderately;
- once a month, the substrate is spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection;
- in the initial period, seedlings are hardened at 16-18 °C.
Conclusion
It is important to sow seedlings in January with knowledge of the characteristics of the awakening of seeds of various crops. They also study the specifics of growing seedlings so that the plants develop well.
