January is just around the corner, bringing the next planting season for vegetable gardeners! We are blessed in Central Texas to have the opportunity to garden in the winter months. During the winter, I enjoy eating warm foods like soups and casseroles, so a fresh salad from the garden or some sauteed greens are a great way to add color and nutrients.
In mid-January, the Williamson County vegetable planting calendar shows us that we can start planting cole crops like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflowers. These should be planted as
transplants that you purchase from a nursery or start from seed indoors. It’s not too late to start some plants from seed now to be planted by the end of January. Green Magic Broccoli is a Texas Superstar variety that does very well in Williamson County and was the top producer in a broccoli trial conducted by the Williamson County Master Gardeners.
January is also a great time to plant carrots, Asian greens such as bok choy, beets, radishes, leeks, kohlrabi, and turnips. These are all easy to grow by seed; beets are especially great to grow with kids because they grow so well. Leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, kale, swiss chard, mustard greens, and collard greens may all be planted by seed or transplants from January through February. Try planting in small sections every two weeks so you can have a continuous harvest throughout the spring.
Winter vegetables need sunlight, water, and fertilizer. Drip irrigation is a great way to water, even in the winter. Keep an eye out for cabbage loopers and other worms that like to eat holes in the leaves of cole crops and greens. You can pick them off by hand or use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis, var kurstaki). Also watch for aphids on the underside of leaves. A good rinse from the water hose will knock them off but be sure to check regularly.
Check out the Williamson County Vegetable Planting Calendar for a month-by-month planting guide, and you can find the list of Recommended Vegetable Varieties for Williamson County. Visit https://williamson.agrilife.org/vegetables-and-herbs/ to find both guides.
For more information about lawn and garden topics, contact Kate Hajda, Williamson County Horticulture Extension Agent, at 512-943-3300.
