Zone 6 - What to Plant in January

Zone 6 - What to Plant in January

It's January in Zone 6 and that means it time to order your seeds and start some early indoor sowing. You can start planting a few items in late January to be prepared for early season plantings. Broccoli, cabbage, artichoke and cauliflower can all be started in late January indoors to be ready for a March transplant outdoors.

A spectacular everbearing strawberry that does well in hanging pots! Produces delicious 1" inch fruits all summer long. The only true variety that produces traditional, full-sized strawberries from seed. Bred in the US by one of the leading seed houses, this wonderful, new, everbearing variety is both early and long-blooming. Sow indoors 3 months before transplanting outdoors.

Katarina cabbage has a perfect smaller head size (4”) and shape to be grown successfully in containers on patios, decks or in-ground beds, possibly as an ornamental/edible border.

Brunswick cabbage is a traditional variety known for its hardiness and adaptability, making it a favorite among gardeners in cooler climates. Originating from Europe, Brunswick cabbage features large, tightly packed heads that can reach sizes of 3-5 pounds. The leaves are thick, dark green, and slightly crinkled, providing a robust texture. The flavor is mild and sweet, especially after exposure to frost, which enhances its natural sugars. Brunswick cabbage is typically harvested in late summer to early fall, and it can store well, making it ideal for winter use. This variety is often used for sauerkraut, coleslaw, and various cooked dishes due to its versatility. Brunswick cabbage plants grow upright and can reach heights of about 18-24 inches, preferring well-drained soil and full sun. Their resilience to cold weather makes them suitable for early spring and fall planting, allowing gardeners to enjoy fresh produce throughout the growing season. Overall, Brunswick cabbage is valued for its robust flavor, adaptability, and long storage life.

The All Seasons Cabbage is a very heat resistant cabbage that is resistant to yellowing and will offer a nice flavor in any dish. This cabbage produces fine heads that are about 10-11" across and average about 11-14 pounds.

Wonder is a new artichoke variety that offers yields early and often! Plants are about 90-120cm tall, with most of the heads being pear-shaped and firm. Wonder F1 has excellent quality for both the fresh markets and for commercial use.

'White Soul' is a white fruiting variety that has been around for several years. It is a clumping type (few to no runners) and is day neutral meaning that flowering is not day length dependent. The fruit is among the largest white fruit produced by alpines. Has the wild strawberry flavor and aroma expected from alpines and has a hint of pineapple flavor. I consider white alpine fruit to be sweeter than red alpine fruit in general. Tends to be a very strong grower and top producer. This variety will "fool the birds". They don't go after the fruit as much as they do for red fruit.

The Orange Dream cauliflower performs like a dream in outdoor and greenhouse growing conditions. This cauliflower is a medium-large plant. Orange Dream is a pastel orange cauliflower that exhibits great tolerance to heat and stress.

Gypsy is a hybrid broccoli that produces well in warmer growing zones. An excellent variety for greenhouse production. Gypsy has a strong root system and intermediate downy mildew resistance. Gypsy yields excellent, smooth, dome-shaped heads with medium-small beads.

Bobcat is a high producing fresh-market variety that has long storage life. Excellent flavor and good resistance to disease. Due to its high yield potential, Bobcat is suitable for coleslaw production.

'Reine des Vallees' is grown in Europe by home gardeners and commercial fruit growers. Its name in French means "Queen of the Valleys". Its name in Italian is Regina delle Valli. Whatever the name, this cultivar is THE standard in Europe for alpine strawberries. The major fruit exporting growers in Europe grow this variety exclusively. Reine des Vallees is a clumping type (produces few to no runners) and is day neutral which means that flowering is not dependent on day length. It is very productive and produces scarlet red fruit with the distinctive wild strawberry flavor and aroma that is expected from fraises des bois.

Happy Rich Baby is an excellent summer producing baby broccoli. Produces uniform, vigorous, dark-green florets that look like baby broccoli heads. One of the best flavors broccoli flavors with hints of sweetness. Produces generous amounts of side shoots when first floret is pinched out and plants are spaced 12-18" apart.

Red Wonder, aka Fraises des Bois, is a tasty Alpine Strawberry that is easy to grow from seed. Red Wonder is one of our favorites because it's considerably sweeter than most strawberries. An everbearing strawberry plant that produces all summer long.

The Purple Italian Globe Artichoke, scientifically known as Cynara scolymus var. scolymus, is a stunning and delectable vegetable that has a rich history dating back to ancient times. Originating in the Mediterranean region, this particular variety of artichoke has been cultivated for centuries and is prized for both its ornamental appearance and culinary value. Its striking purple and green hues make it a unique addition to any garden or dinner table. In terms of taste, the Purple Italian Globe Artichoke boasts a mild, nutty flavor with a slightly sweet and earthy undertone. The tender inner leaves and heart are the most sought-after parts and are often used in various dishes, from salads and dips to braised or roasted preparations. The artichoke can grow to a substantial size, typically reaching diameters of 4 to 6 inches, making it a substantial vegetable for cooking. The Purple Italian Globe Artichoke is known for its longer days to maturity, typically requiring around 150 to 180 days from planting to harvest. Each plant typically yields multiple artichokes, and they can be propagated from seeds or offsets. These plants thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil and prefer full sun exposure. Adequate spacing and regular watering are essential for optimal growth. Overall, this variety of artichoke offers not only a delicious addition to your culinary endeavors but also a visually striking and historical component to your garden.