January in the Garden

Gather seaweed, unmixed with beach sand, to fork into compost piles. Dig a shallow layer, up to 10 centimeters (4 inches) deep, into areas that will grow tomatoes and cabbage family vegetables this year.

Plan the year's annual flower and vegetable plantings, and order seeds.

As the weather permits, continue cleaning the garden of weeds, dead growth and debris. Clean and organize the garden shed. Oil and sharpen tools.

Take advantage of dry, mild weather to spray fruit trees and roses with lime sulphur as a cleanup measure against many common diseases and some insect pests.

Begin gathering together used pots and seeding flats and washing them in preparation for the indoor growing season.

Indoor seeding can start late this month with leek and onion, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, pansies, stocks, Dianthus, snapdragon and sweet peas. These are hardy plants that can be transplanted outdoors in late March or early April, weather and soil conditions permitting.

Map out the vegetable and flower garden, and purchase seeds this month to take advantage of the best selection.

Make a list of shrubs, fruiting plants and perennials you'd like to add to the garden this year and begin finding sources for them.

Sow Schizanthus (butterfly flower, poor man's orchid), Calceonlaria (pocket puch plant), and dwarf snapdragons for early flowers in pots. Seed cyclamen this month.

Plant broad beans outdoors if the ground is not wet and the weather not too severe.

For a richly scented breath of spring in the house, lift and pot a small clump of sweet violets from the garden. Locate the pot at a cool, bright window and keep the planting mix moist.

Prune grape and kiwi vines this month, before the first hint of warmth starts the sap flowing and the pruning wounds bleed.