It's the beginning of a new year, so will 2012 be the year I'm going to get Lunar Gardening nailed? Better figure out what I need to be doing when in January in my Puglia Garden.
Waxing Moon - 1st to 8th January (Full Moon 9th January) and 24th to 31st January.
In the Vegetable Patch
Sow - in heated seed trays : basil, aubergine/eggplant, peppers, tomatoes.
- in pots in a heated greenhouse : cucumbers, melons
- in the garden, under glass or plastic (but not if extreme cold is expected) : radish, rocket, glasswort (agretto)
In the Garden
Sow - In a heated greenhouse or in the house, in heated seed trays (12-18C) : begonia, cineraria, carnation, petunia, salvia and flowering annuals.
Transplanting and Planting - plant, if conditions permit and the ground is not frozen or too wet : trees, shurbs, vines, roses.
In the Orchard
Transplanting and Planting - if weather conditions permit, and the ground is not frozen, plant and transplant fruit trees and bushes.
Waning Moon 10th to 22nd January (New Moon 23rd January)
In the Vegetable Patch
Sow - in heated seed trays : lettuce
- in the garden, under glass or plastic (but not if extreme cold is expected) : lettuce, radicchio (a variety of chicory), valerian
Work - Prepare the ground for spring crops, fertilize.
- Create a vegetable patch plan for the year ahead and order seeds
- Fertilise and weed asparagus and artichoke beds.
Green Fertiliziation - Dig in any green crops grown for fertilisation - mustard, spinach etc.
In the Garden
Pruning - Prune dead branches, thin where necessary, removing broken branches etc.
- Disinfect cut surfaces.
- Prune roses
Work - Remove dry or emaciated trees and shrubs to make way for replacements.
- Prepare the ground ready for new planting and for replacing old plants
- When the ground is not frozen work the surface soil to break the crust
- Remove and replace any uneven mulching disturbed or removed by rain
- Wash and disinfect pots and seed trays
- Check, clean, repair, replace garden tools as necessary
In the Orchard
Pruning - Prune pears and apple trees
- Prune raspberries and currants
Grafting - Collect scions and cuttings for grafting and insert into the stock of the tree
Work - Prepare the ground for spring planting adding fertiliser
- Fertilize olive trees after the olive harvest is completed
- Clean around the base and trunk of adult trees
- Shake the branches free of snow (maybe not in Puglia!) to prevent breakages
This months Harvest
From the Vegetable Patch : Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts, Radicchio and if the ground is not frozen, Leeks
In the greenhouse or heated beds : Agretto, Rocket, Radishes
What we actually have this month is Cabbage and Cauliflowers, despite the caterpillar infestations both have done exceptionally well, and loads of lettuce! Brussel sprout seeds went in much too late and we only have tiny plants at the moment. Carrots are coming on fine and should be ready for harvest soon. Peas and Broad Beans plants are strong and flowering now, they seem to have benefited well from mulching.
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