Indoor/Outdoor Garden Calendar: Monthly Tips for North Country Growing Success

Timing is key when it comes to growing and taking care of plants! For example, pruning at the wrong time of year can make plants more vulnerable to diseases or pests. On the flip side, if you time your amaryllis’ forced dormancy just right, you can have them blooming in time for the holidays! And did you know that garlic is actually planted in the fall, unlike most of our veggies and herbs? Fall is also the perfect time to divide and transplant spring-blooming perennials.

graphic of person pruning a dormant plant
Timing pruning of our plants increases their chance to thrive.

The Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs) at CCE of St. Lawrence County understand just how important timing is, especially in Northern NY’s Zone 4. To make it easier for gardeners of all experience levels—whether you’re growing plants indoors or outdoors—we’ve put together a monthly calendar filled with helpful tips. Gardening is a year-round activity and having a monthly list can help you stay on top of your chores and make sure you don’t forget anything important! 

The calendar covers everything from planning and planting to harvesting and storing, along with maintenance tasks. Whether you’re tending to fruits, veggies, herbs, flowers, or houseplants, it  is a great reminder and a valuable resource. Plus, many tasks come with extra tips, suggestions, and links to online resources for more detailed guidance. Below are a few examples from the first months of the year:

In January:

Inventory seeds, seed-starting supplies and miscellaneous garden supplies such as row cover Seeds will usually last several years if stored properly. You can test seeds for germination if you are unsure if the seed you have is still viable. High Mowing seeds has a useful chart on seed viability.
Have friends who also garden? If you have extra, ask them if they would like some. Maybe they’ll also have extra seeds to share

In February: Read more Indoor/Outdoor Garden Calendar: Monthly Tips for North Country Growing Success

Mary’s indoor gardens

While I’ve lived for decades in northern NY, during COVID my daughters felt that I should not be alone, so I lived with my family in Connecticut for eight months. My children knew I couldn’t give up growing plants so they ordered me an Aerogarden, and my indoor gardening adventure began! My daughter-in-law loved it too and bought one for herself. Once I returned home, I ordered another one… That was the beginning of really being addicted. I have one at the entrance to my kitchen for lettuce and cherry tomatoes (pictured above). People come in and break off a piece of lettuce for a snack. I do that now, too. It grows enough for my salads all winter.

Aerogardens are essentially hydroponic gardens, and are simple to set up and use. They can be used to start seedlings for transplanting in grow boxes or outside. The pods to start seeds fit in small cavities and can be covered. Normally they are set up to get sixteen hours of light per day. They need liquid fertilizer every two weeks and tend to grow to transplanting size more quickly than conventional plantings. The light can be raised as the plants grow, so a few smaller plants can be left in the Aerogarden to mature. Read more Mary’s indoor gardens

A Quick Guide to Starting Your Seeds Indoors

Late winter can be a tough time for gardeners. When the calendar turns to March, the days are getting longer, the snow is melting, and the itch to get outside and garden gets stronger every day. Those sunny days when temperatures soar into the 40s and 50s can seem especially cruel when followed by a sharp drop in temperatures and extended cold snaps. For many gardeners the cure for their itch to garden and for their impatience for spring to arrive is to seed vegetables and flowers indoors under artificial lighting for later transplanting into the garden.

The benefits of starting your own seeds indoors are many. Starting my seeds indoors allows me to grow varieties that I would not find as seedlings at a gardening center or large retailer. This is critical when taking into consideration needs such as disease resistance and tolerance of soil type, but also a matter of preference – I do love the different heirloom varieties! Growing from seed also allows us to select varieties that are suitable to our shorter growing season. Plus you’ll control the timing, so your plants will more likely be the optimal size when the time comes to plant them outdoors.A person seeding a tray with seeds

Successfully growing quality transplants requires a good understanding of a number of parameters, so though you’re probably eager to start, take a moment to read this quick guide for a successful seedling indoors. I’ll cover when to start seeds, potting mixes, indoor growing setups, containers, watering and more. Read more A Quick Guide to Starting Your Seeds Indoors