Hoffmann Homestead

It’s time!

Well technically it’s not time until January, but I just can’t wait. Its currently 12/29 so…. Close enough?

There’s something so exciting and renewing about planning the new garden. Setting new goals, reflecting on last years successes (and inevitable failures), and my favorite part SEED SHOPPING!

I know what your thinking, “Amber, you live in the Midwest, it’s January, are you insane?”

The answer is yes, a little bit. I am in fact crazy about the garden, but the truth is, some seeds need to be started in January! March is the main seed starting month for me since my last frost date is around the first week of May so realistically, especially in my busy world, I do not have much time before it is really go time.

I don’t think I’ll be starting any seeds this month like I did last year (lavender is a beast to grow and I’m just not interested in that kind of emotional torture this year), but this month is the perfect time to plan my garden space.

In previous years, I had a much smaller garden (about 500 square ft) and the need for garden planning wasn’t as intense in January, but this year we have a full 5500 sq ft to work with and some really big goals.

This is the year I quit my job. 2024 I become a full time Homesteader/Homemaker/Homeschooling mom and we have some big goals planned out. To include a 1,000 lbs goal of fresh produce grown and eaten or processed by year end.

Anyway! Enough about me, here’s how YOU can start preparing for the garden season in the month of January!

1) SET GOALS

This is the time for New Year’s resolutions, but more importantly, it’s time to reflect on last years garden and decide your main goals for the coming garden season.

Last year, I failed to plant a single potato. There was PLENTY of space for potatoes, but I failed to plant a single one. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I bought some seed potatoes and I just didn’t plant any.

So this year, y reasonable goal is to plant potatoes. I’d like to see a yield of 100 pounds, which given the space I’m planting the potatoes in, I believe this is doable!

For this step, think about what you “failed” at last year or what didn’t go how you planned. That can often be the best place to start. You can also look at what you did well! I had 400 lbs of tomatoes harvested last year, this years goal is to plant much fewer tomato plants… that one should be easy to accomplish.

2) BEGIN PLANNING GARDEN LAYOUT

This one may look different depending on your garden setup. I have a raised bed garden that does not move so my garden layout planning is really just plugging in where I intend to plant certain crops. If this is your first year gardening, you may need to look into where your garden will go and where it’ll get the best light and drainage. If you know exactly where your garden will be, plan your plantings will be this step.

3) PLANNING YOUR SEED SOWING/SEEDLING PURCHASES

If you’re starting your own seedlings, this is the time to think about what plants your want to start. Some items take 6 weeks from the date of your last frost, and some take 14! Last year, I decided to start my own lavender which had to be started in late January. If you’re starting some slow growing seeds, you don’t want to miss that deadline by putting this step off for too long!

If you’re not starting your own seeds, this is a good opportunity to layout your budget for purchasing seedlings and making a list of what you want and need!

I often do a mix of these steps, especially as I’m getting my new garden established with perennials and pretty flowers.

4)Purchase Seeds

Now this step really depends on how far you get into step 2 and 3. If you don’t have your layout planned and your seeding schedule started, you don’t know what you need to buy! It’s like grocery shopping without checking the fridge. It just leads to waste or missing necessities. I collect seeds so I’m always happy to have extras, but the worst thing in the early garden is not having the seeds you need!

5) Enjoy the rest

It is so easy to get in to full blown garden mode, but trust me, it’s a mistake. God gives us winter as a season of rest. Could you imagine gardening all year long? Sounds great, but ask yourself again in the middle of August or October and tell me you’re not ready for a break. We need to soak up with last bit or rest before everything starts waking up. Finish up some canning projects that are still in your freezer or maybe spend some extra time with the kiddos watching movies or maybe finish up that DIY house project your started 6 months ago and never finished (just me? Okay…)

Take this time. We can start thinking about the garden, but that’s it! No obsessing and no weeding the garden. Leave that to March or later.

May you all have a blessed garden season and have the greatest harvests of lessons, memories, and of course food.

God bless!

Amber