Zone 3 Flower Growing: January

January may seem WAY too early to start planning for spring flowers, but in fact January in the flower growing calendar marks the transition between the cold winter months and the anticipation of spring blooms. For flower growers in Zone 3, this time is critical for planning and preparing for the upcoming (short) growing season.

This month offers an opportunity to reflect on last year's successes and challenges while making process improvements and plans for the new year. The careful selection of seeds, browsing through seed catologues, finalizing planting plans and seed starting schedules is the foundation for a successful growing season.

Top Tasks for January

1. Seed Selection & Purchase

   This is my FAVORITE part of January. Most seed companies send out their upcoming seed catologues in Decemebr or early January, including spring corm and bulb suppliers. How to pick seeds to grow?

   What grew well last year?
   These are almost always on the list of seeds for the upcoming year, but in more colours or varieties.

   What new plants do I want to try?
   It’s great to have sure-to-grow seeds for the season, that are great producers and easy to grow, and then there are unqieu varieties or ones I haven’t yet grown that are great for experiementing! I’m always eager to learn more about flower varieties, how they grow from seed, and how well they do in the garden - it’s always a surprise :)

   Review my existing seed stash

   Depending on the variety of flower you may not use all the seeds from a packet year over year. I always do a quick inventory of how many seeds of each variety I have and what needs replenishing.

   Why order in January?
   Ordering early means you get first dibs! Some popular varieties will sell out before March, so be sure to order early to avoid dissapointment. Secondly, some slow growing seeds need to be started in Janurary in order to be big enough to bloom within our Zone 3 growing season.

   My Favourite Seed Companies

   West Coast Seeds: Certified Organic
   T & T Seeds: Manitoba Based
   Lindenberg Seeds: Manitoba Based
   Lilystone Gardens: Manitoba Based

2. Equipment Sorting & Cleaning

   I’m a lazy gardener….eeps! I said it. At the end of a long growing season, I am throwing plant pots, tools and seeds in bins as quickly as possible before fall clean up and snowfall arrive. I rarely clean or sanitize my tools, trays or pots at the end of the season.

   So this is the perfect time to do an inventory of trays, how many need replacing, seed starting equipment that needs to be cleaned and sanitized, and to do an inventory on things like gloves, spades, watering cans and spray bottles.

   My Favourite Gardening Equipment

   Hori Knife
   Garden Gloves
   Seed Storage
   Garden Tools
   Garden Basket
   Garden Shears
   Snips
   Medium to Large Pots - I get these from a local landscape company!

3. Seed Starting

   Start the seeds! This means preparing your seed starting method, setting up your growing station and selecting which seed varieties need to be started in early January. Some of these varieties include:

   • Eucalyptus

   • Lisianthus

   • Herbs

   I am trying a new seed starting method this year - soil blocking! Follow along that series for tips and tricks and to learn from my mistakes😊

   My Favourite Seed Starting Equipment

   Growing Racks
   Full Spectrum LED Lights
   Seed Starting Mix
   Trays

   New this year:
   Soil blocker
   Trays
   Thermometer

4. Creating a Planting Schedule

   This one is tricky…since alot of your planting schedule depends on your hardiness zone. Ours in Winnipeg is Zone 3, with our last frost date ranging from May 21st to May 31st and first frost around Septemebr 22nd - meaning 4 months of growing time.

   The last frost date is important, because many small seedlings can be damaged or killed by frost. On the other hand, many seeds need more than 4 months to mature and bloom - which is why seed starting and a planting schedule is important!

   Seed packets provide general growing requirements for their varieties, but seeds are sold all over North America. Hardiness zones vary from province to provice and vary within provinces! Growing recommendations will depend on your growing period.

   Seed starting will begin in December for some varieits for Zone 3, while the hardening off period (adjusting them to the outdoors) will begin as soon as March (!), weather dependent.

   A planting schedule ensures that you keep on top of seed starting and direct sowing to ensure you have a bountiful flower harvest all growing seasson from Spring through Fall.

One final note…

If January seems too daunting of a task to start thinking about your Springgarden, there are plenty of direct sow seeds, meaning you plant them out directly in your garden, in early spring. You can still have a well producing cut flower garden with vareties that require no fuss.

No Fuss Flower Seeds

• Cosmos

• Forget-Me-Nots

• Calendula

• Bachelor’s Buttons (Cornflower)