January is infamous for a lot of things; new beginnings, getting back into a working routine, cutting out unhealthy habits, organising and preparing yourself for the year to come or maybe taking up a new hobby! Some people opt for a gym membership, some join book clubs, others start journaling, but us at Madflowers would recommend taking up gardening; because you can never have too many flowers in your life! Perhaps you have already dabbled in the art and are here for advice on your next project, or what you can do during this cold and grey skied month. You may also be starting out fresh and want to get stuck in as soon as possible, whatever it is; we’re here to help. We have put together information on flowers & bulbs to plant in January.
It’s no lie that the best times for growing are Spring and Autumn but it’s a myth for sure that January is a complete no-go for gardening, and there’s no reason why you can’t get started straight away. Below you’ll find what January flowers you can start planting indoors, in a greenhouse (if you’ve got one), and a couple you can even try and plant in the chilly soil.
In A Greenhouse
If you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse, then there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t get ahead on your gardening this winter. Planting directly into the outdoor soil is risky and while it can be worth trying, there are few flowers that would survive it. A greenhouse or cold frame serve the similar purpose of protecting your plants from the weather and can also entrap or create heat when necessary. This allows for planting and sowing year round. Sow and start the January flowers listed below off in a light heat, they require longer growth times and so it’s a great idea to get ahead of the game and with these flowers to plant inJanuary.
- Sweetpeas.
- Lobelia
- Antirrhinums (snapdragons)
Indoors
Don’t have a greenhouse and don’t have the finances for such a purchase? Want to dabble in gardening before investing in a cold frame? Not to worry, there’s plenty of plants to plant in January indoors in a potted patch of soil, just be sure to keep them near a window with plenty of light. Below are flowers you can start growing indoors since they take a while to germinate and flower, the perfect gardening project for January to ensure a stunning ensemble ready for warmer months.
- Begonia
- Geranium (Pelargonium)
- Dianthus (Carnations)
Bulbs to Plant Outdoors
Many people are under the impression that flower growth is impossible when planted directly into outdoor soil during cold weather conditions. While growth can definitely be stunted and will be more of a hit and miss, why not take the chance! We’re at a point where it’s still Winter and the ground, though chilled, is certainly not frozen. Bulbs are hardier than seeds and so can survive worse conditions. It’s a good idea to plant these bulbs into pots so you can bring them indoors during bad cold spells, then when the weather mellows out you can move them directly into your garden. These are some bulbs to plant in January.
- Lily Bulbs, can be planted in pots and kept outdoors during mild spells.
- Planting Daffodils in January is a risk worth taking!
- Tulips are fairly comfortable being planted in January
Winter is definitely not the most ideal time to be planting flowers and sowing seeds, and there is not a lot that you can really grow in bad weather conditions. However, if you simply adore gardening like we do, and are looking for your next project, follow this advice for flowers and bulbs to plant in January.
