Much like new year resolutions, gardeners put garden activities into motion starting in January. Setting goals, choosing seeds and plants for spring planting can all make the winter months pass quickly. Seed catalogs are arriving in mailboxes and new seeds are being put out in gardening stores at this time of year. What things should gardeners be thinking about when imagining their 2026 gardens, containers and landscapes?
Seed selection can be challenging, especially if you are new to gardening or want to try something different. Many gardeners stick to their favorites every year, but sometimes, disease, pests or weather prompt the addition of a new flower or vegetable. Northern gardeners need to think about spring and fall temperatures and maturity dates when planning vegetable gardens. Canning and other preservation activities may also
influence variety selection. Let’s take a closer look at the maturity date and what might be a good fit this coming season.
Gardeners hope to grow vegetables and other garden produce that will mature (produce harvestable fruits) within the growing season. For Northern gardeners this timeframe can vary each year but Mid-May through Late August or early September (90-100 days) is typical. Fruit production and ripening is very weather dependent, and temperature or “growing degree days” play a large part in whether fruits and vegetables are ready to pick before the first frost. As the days get shorter and nights become cooler (late August), ripening slows down for garden produce that like the heat and long days. Tomatoes and peppers can be the first to indicate there have been growing condition issues. To combat weather and temperature, there are selections of tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, squash and other vegetables that mature in 70-90 days. These are typically called “Northern Selections” and are best for cooler climates with a shorter growing session.
Canning and home preservation is on the rise with many gardeners, and not all varieties of garden vegetables are ideal for canning, freezing or pickling. How do you know what to choose? First, make a plan for what you want to preserve, salsa, pickles, tomato sauce and jam are popular choices. Green beans, corn, and carrots are often frozen for easy additions to a meal or dish. Did you grow enough of each ingredient? Often, we find ourselves needing to grab a few additional tomatoes or basil for our spaghetti sauce. Farmers markets or the grocery store are good in a pinch, but if the goal is to grow it on your own, make sure you have planned accordingly. For more information on planting for preserving, visit Michigan State University Extension's planting a canning garden page.
Want to learn more
Want to learn more about what homesteading is (including growing food for self-sufficiency)? Check out this in-person workshop offered Jan. 17 in Alexandria.
For more information on planning your garden, visit our resource pages:
Questions about this article or local assistance, please contact Clay County Extension Educator, Jillian Patrie, at 218-299-7338 or [email protected].