Just because it’s January…and chilly…and snowy…doesn’t mean you can put off starting those tomato seeds! I'm just going to give a basic run-down of what seeds you can start indoors now in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Indoors:

Cole crops: You can start your last succession of cool season crops indoors now. Broccoli, cabbage, kale, chard, collard greens, kohlrabi, cauliflower and more.. Seeds need supplemental light so make sure to use a good setup. After 5 or 6 weeks you can transplant these seedlings outdoors, in February.

Warm season crops: Start tomatoes NOW, then you can start peppers, eggplant inside starting now through February. These crops take a bit longer to get to transplant size, about 8-9 weeks. In the DFW area, tomatoes can be planted outside late-February through the end of March for a June harvest. You can continue planting peppers and eggplant through April and May. If you want to start a second fall crop of tomatoes from seed, you’ll do that indoors in May.

Herbs: Start seeds indoors of warm season herbs such as basil, oregano, sage, thyme, chives etc.

Salad greens: You can still start salad greens both indoors and by direct seeding outside right now through February. Remember that lettuce seeds need light to germinate, so don't cover their seeds with soil when you plant them. Simply press them into the surface of the soil and keep moist until germination.

Indoor seed starting equipment: I use the Jump Start system from Hydrofarm because the lighting is perfect for seeds, the lamp can be adjusted to different heights, and it's a good for small spaces. You can use small trays with a seed starting soil mix, or the little compressed pellets from say Jiffy. I use those a lot and they work great. Make sure you have a humidity dome (plastic cover) for your tray. If you're using posts or pellets, make sure you have a water tight seed tray to set them in so you can cover them with the dome. The picture at left is only one example of the many different options available. Sometime you just have to experiment to find the option that works best for you. Also, a seed starting heat mat is necessary once you get into fall and winter, and you're starting seeds for spring planting.

If you'd like more in-depth information about growing tomatoes specifically, you can attend my workshop at North Haven Gardens on 1/26/13 from 1pm-4pm. Call the garden center directly to register, as there is limted space. More info HERE.

I know...it's cold and it might snow again. Why on earth would you want to get out in the garden? WELL, because it's time to plant onions you guys!!! Now, if you know me, you know I'm not a huge fan of onions. I do tolerate green onions and shallots and actually like leeks. But I know that most of you are crazy for onions. So why wouldn't you want to grow your own? Well, if you do, you'd better get on it. Garden centers will start running low on slips (transplants) soon, so now is the time to get your hands on them and get them in the ground. This weekend looks like it's going to be good planting whether. If you want more information you can click on this POST to read more about growing onions.

Oh, and you probably need to go ahead and grab your seed potatoes now because they'll start going in the ground the beginning of February. You definitely want to plant organic potatoes...no, you can't use the ones from the grocery store. You need organic seed potatoes. Cool varieties, like the BLUE potatoes will sell out quickly. I'll most more in February about growing potatoes, or you can search the blog for older posts.

I'll be on Good Morning Texas tomorrow morning, 1/4/13 weather permitting, to talk about planting onions and potatoes. That's WFAA Channel 8 here in DFW.  9am-10am hour.

Have a gift card to your local garden center burning a hole in your pocket? Think there's not much to do in your Texas garden this time of year? Don't worry, there's lots to do!

Now's the time to pick up your onion slip for planting in January (in Texas), pick up specialty seed potatoes for February planting and get your seed starting supplies and equipment set up! This weekend will also be your last good shot at planting your tulip bulbs. Also, you know you have to start those tomato seedlings next week, right?!!

So I've always had this goal to be my own boss by the time I was 40. Since that happened TODAY, the turning 40 thing that is, I decided that it was high time to make good on that deal with myself. So I Thelma & Louise'd it a couple of weeks ago, created my very own fiscal cliff and drove right off it!

As of 12/29/12 I will officially be a free agent full time with Halleck Horticultural. I will be providing horticultural, marketing and business consulting for green industry businesses. I will also continue providing residential horticultural consults. This move will also free me up for more garden writing, teaching, media and keeping my blog up to date here at growLively!

I've had an awesome eight-year run as general manager for North Haven Gardens here in Dallas. I love the business, staff and customers and I'm still highly invested in its success. The plan is for me to continue working with NHG as a consultant so I can help keep up the "awesome".

Happy birthday to me! And happy gardening to you! I look forward to many new gardening adventures in 2013...

Leslie

Down here in the South, we have to pre-chill our tulips each fall in order for them to have an adequate vernalization and initiate a flower bud. It's a pain. But, tulips are gorgeous and I always find it worth my while to repeat this task each season. Typically, we can start planting our pre-chilled tulips in the garden after Thanksgiving, once soil temps have reached about 50F. Well folks, if you haven't noticed, it's still 80F outside here in North Texas, and many parts of Texas. Soil temperatures are simply not yet where they need to be in order to plant your tulips. Honestly, I never plant my tulips until about the 3rd week of December, here in Dallas. After my tour of duty at the Dallas Arboretum, where I was responsible for planning and scheduling all of the color and bulb installations (we planted abouta bizillion), I know a think or two about doing tulips right.

One of my favorite single late tulips, 'Maureen', in my garden mixed with Dutch Iris 'Imperator'

Don't plant to early, but don't plant to late either. My advice, keep those tulip bulbs chilling for now. If you don't have one, invest in an inexpensive soil thermometer. Start checking soil temperatures next week, a couple of times per week, to see where they are heading. My bet is still always on the 3rd week of December as the optimal planting window. Get them in the ground by end of December. Don't wait until January. Plant deep...6"-8", no exceptions. Then add 2" of mulch on top of your tulips plantings.

Have trouble with squirrels digging up your precious bulbs? Once you've set your bulbs in their planting hole, cut out a piece of chicken wire and lay it on top of the bulbs, then cover with soil. The squirrels will have a much tougher time getting to them that way!

Sure, we know we can stick ornamental cabbage, kale and pansies in pots this time of year to weather the winter temps. But wouldn't you rather create a little more excitment in your holiday containers? Check out my Good Morning Texas segment with Paige McCoy Smith where I show you how to incorporate fresh greenery, berries and other decor to create some super cool pots for your entryway and for tabletop decor!

If you live in Texas, you're probably having one of the prettiest pansy and volia seasons in recent memory. Boy has this mild fall just put the love on our cool season color! Pansies are blooming like gangbusters and the flowers are big and bold. Mild days, cool nights. Perfect! Here is one of my favorite viola varieties, 'Peach Jump Up':

Just gorgeous! The mild warm days have also really brought on the nectar flow and fragrace from these cool season favorites. The bees are as happy as can bee! It's still a great time to plant these beauties so get to the garden center and get digging!

It's "Green Friday" today and I just found myself at North Haven Gardens...figuratively and literally. Here is my tree! It's a lovely Nordmann Fir that will be going home with me today. We care lovingly and painstakingly for our fresh American grown trees and greens at NHG.

No matter your religion or choice of celebration, bringing the outdoors indoors this time of year just makes you feel good. The fragrances are wonderful so I always make sure to add garland to my entryways, banisters and use some mixed greens as table centerpieces. So whether it's a Christmas tree, Festivus tree, Solstice tree or you name it, it's just pretty. And it smells good. Nothing wrong with being pretty and smelling good. Enjoy the season!