Beginnings

January 2019          

PICKAWAY TO GARDEN

Beginnings

By Paul J. Hang

 

January was named for the Roman god Janus. Janus was the god of “beginnings, of the past and the future, and of gates, doorways, and bridges, and of peace.” His name was given to the month that begins the New Year. The days are beginning to grow longer. Not by much mind you, but a little. It is more noticeable beginning in the evening than in the mornings.

 

Our forbearers, who were more agriculturally aware, began their New Year around the spring equinox in March. Plant life begins anew in the spring and so, in a sense, life begins. Plants give us life, oxygen, shelter and warmth not just food. So when did we begin to think that our food came from the supermarket and not from the land? Many children think food comes from Kroger’s or McDonalds. Many young people know their food comes from farms; after all, they can Google it. But this is intellectual knowledge not knowledge from experience. There is nothing like the sensory experience of digging in the earth, planting a seed, watering it and watch it grow into a plant.

 

How many of us have seen celery grow, Brussels sprouts, head lettuce? If you have children in your life, even if they are neighbors, perhaps you could begin to show them where their food really comes from by planting a garden with them this spring. It doesn’t have to be large. It could even be a container. Maybe you could plant their favorite vegetable. A quick growing veggie, for those used to instant gratification, is radishes. They only take three weeks from planting by seed to harvest. If you already have a garden try to involve younger people in the planting and care of “their” plants. Check with OSU Extension websites such as ohioline.osu.edu when researching your ideas for the growing season.

 

We are beginning to receive seed catalogs and so begin to think of spring and of beginning our gardens. January is a time for beginning. Begin to think about becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer. MGV’s complete a 50 hour training program and volunteer to spread science based gardening practices. The training program will begin March 21 and run all day on Thursdays until early May and provides training in horticulture topics. Once completed, interns then volunteer their time assisting with educational programs and activities through the local Ohio State University Extension county office. You are not required to have gardening skills or knowledge: a passion for learning about gardening and sharing this knowledge with others is a must! If you are interested call the OSU Extension office at 740-474-7534 or email me at phang@columbus.rr.com with your name and contact information. We will then contact you about more information and the requirements. It could be a whole new beginning!

 

Things to do in the garden:

 

The list of things to do in the garden has gotten shorter. Things we can do about gardening can fill your idle hours, if you have any, are: Review last year's garden; draw a map while you can still remember what grew where.

 

Check your supply of old seeds. Are they expired? Do you want to reorder that variety? Read your new seed catalogs and begin to plan next year's garden. It's not nearly as much work. Order seeds and plants of new varieties that you want now. They usually sell out quickly.

 

Believe it or not, by the end of the month, you can begin to grow members of the Allium family (Onions, Leeks, Garlic and Shallots) from seed indoors. You can get ready by getting your seed starting supplies together. Make sure you provide plenty of light.

 

Cut back on watering your houseplants and don’t fertilize until March or April when growth begins as the amount of light lengthens. When your poinsettias are looking ragged throw them on the compost heap. The same goes for paper whites. In my opinion it is not worth trying to get them to bloom again for the next holidays. If you like a challenge go ahead, but be prepared for disappointment. Amaryllis and Christmas cactus are exceptions and can be kept for re-blooming. Check the internet for instructions.

 

Plan your gardens and plantings. One of my favorite guides for this is The Ohio Gardening Guide by Jerry Minnich. Need some more seed catalogs? Go to gardeningplaces.com.

 

Establish a new bed by placing black plastic or several layers of newspaper, cardboard or even old carpet down over the area you’ve chosen for the new bed. Weight it down so the wind doesn’t disturb it. By late spring the vegetation under it should be dead and the space ready for planting.

 

Learn to sharpen your tools, trowels, pruners, spades and if you are really adventurous, your mower blades. Oil them and use linseed oil on the wooden handles. It's always a good idea to consult the experts. Go on line and google it.

 

Getting rid of a live Christmas tree? Don’t. Use it to serve as a wind break for evergreens, cut the branches off and use them as mulch for perennials, put them near your bird feeders as cover, decorate them with suet, fruit, seed cakes, as a bird feeder, Chip them eventually for mulch. The needles can also be mulch and will not make the soil too acidic. If you had a balled live Christmas tree, plant it ASAP.