Daily Archives: January 24, 2018

I admit that I had complained quite a bit about the weather here in North Holland. It’s cold and windy, a lot more intensely than in my home country Vietnam. I often talk with my dad about his roof-top garden. He can grow a lot more things during the winter months than I can.

In all fairness, though, I can still have living plants through the winter here as it rarely goes below zero Celcius Degree, and the sun does come out now and then. Besides, snow and frost aren’t that common. I have the much better weather for gardening compared to places like the Scandinavian countries or further in-land territories in Germany, Poland or Russia. I heard on the news recently that Moscow had only 6 minutes of sunlight last December. It’s not difficult to imagine how the plants there suffered.

In the new light, I decided to stay upbeat and happy about my garden. I also look into indoor growing, which doesn’t involve me going outside every day on the often slippy surface being pregnant and all.

What to do these January days outdoors

Pruning

January is a no-go if you want to sow the seeds outdoors, but I still get out on the balcony on odd sunny days if some plants desperately need pruning.

Covering up

The other day, I went out before a storm came to town. I wanted to make sure that all the plants were away from the direct wind. Luckily, the autumn crops of tatsoi and coriander were both small and tucked away in safe corners since the beginning of winter. Protection against wind, frost and snow is the key for any autumn crops for survive through the winter and jump up in spring or early summer.

Having fun

When I had to fill pots with soil and seeds for indoor growing, I did it outdoors unless it was raining. Being from a sunny country like Vietnam, apparently, it was more difficult for me to absorb vitamin D from winter sun in Europe. As vitamin D is crucial for my pregnancy, I had to get as much outdoor time as possible. So last Saturday, I stayed on the balcony for an hour, filled pots first with compost and then with coriander and basil seeds. Then I brought them all inside to make sure they won’t be frozen to death.

What to do these January days indoors

Well, you can do all of these fun things throughout the year, but as you might find yourself having more time in January, you will enjoy these preparations even more.

Germination

I germinate seeds for my spring crop. My very first ones were bird’s eye chillis and jalapeño peppers. If you want to know more about this process, check out my success and failure of growing chillis up north

Propagation

It could take weeks to propagate some plants, so what could be a better time than idle January?

I am propagating lemongrass and a few succulents right now. Last year, I had a couple of lemongrass pots, but they either died in one holiday or another when we were away for a few weeks. This year, I need it to be different, and I am starting with two organic stalks. The succulents are for a new exciting project.

Terrarium

We had seen terrariums here and there, and once came close to get a one from a shop on our street. Ian got a better idea, though. For my birthday, which is in January, he bought me a book on miniature gardens and the kit to make my very first terrarium.

So I am propagating two succulents that we got from an Italian wedding so that I can start my first cactus terrarium. I love it when marrying couples give their guests gift of plants and seeds, so I think the two succulents, providing I manage to regrow them, will make the perfect residents in my beautiful glass container.

All the expectations and the sights of new life coming from sprouting basil and coriander, I find myself happy as Larry despite it’s being January.