January Growing in St. Louis (Zone 6): What We’re Planting at City Blossoms Inc.

City Blossoms Inc. may be quiet on the surface in January, but behind the scenes, growing season is already underway. If you’re in St. Louis, MO (Zone 6), this month is all about preparation, protected growing, and indoor seed starting. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned grower, January is the perfect time to get your hands back in the soil, literally or figuratively.

What Can You Plant in January in Zone 6?

While our outdoor gardens are resting, January is prime time for indoor starts and protected crops:

• Onions – Started indoors now for strong, early transplants

• Broccoli – A cool-season favorite that benefits from early starts

• Brussels Sprouts – Slow-growing but worth the wait

• Kale & Collards – Hardy greens that thrive with a head start

• Lettuce – Great for indoor trays or hydroponic systems

These crops do best when started inside under grow lights or bright windows, giving them time to establish before spring planting.

What’s Growing at City Blossoms Inc Right Now

Here’s what’s happening across our farm and nursery spaces:

• 🧄 Garlic is growing outdoors, safely tucked under a thick layer of straw for winter insulation

• 🌱 Seedlings are already started for onions, collards, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach and lettuce

• 💧 Some of our crops will stay soil-grown, while others are being raised in hydroponic systems to increase efficiency, speed, and access

Winter growing is about strategy and we’re excited about what these early starts mean for spring harvests and community distribution.

Why Growing Your Own Food Matters More Than Ever

Many people don’t realize how much of our food system is impacted by PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals.” These chemicals are commonly found in:

• Food packaging

• Processing equipment

• Contaminated soil and water sources

PFAS do not easily break down and can accumulate in the body over time. One powerful way to reduce exposure is by growing your own food, even on a small scale. When you grow it, you control:

• The soil

• The water

• The inputs

That’s food sovereignty at work.

You Can Buy Seeds & Transplants with SNAP

Here’s an important reminder: Seeds and edible transplants can be

purchased with SNAP/EBT benefits.

If you or someone you know receives benefits through SNAP, those benefits can be used to invest in food-growing supplies that produce fresh food for months—not just one meal.

Growing food is not a luxury. It’s a tool for health, dignity, and long-term stability.

Looking Ahead: Start Growing in 2026

At City Blossoms Inc, we’re encouraging families, friends, and neighbors to start growing in 2026 together. You don’t need acres of land or years of experience. A windowsill, a 5 gallon bucket, a raised bed, or a small hydroponic setup is enough to begin.

We’ll continue sharing:

• Growing guides

• Seedling and transplant availability

• Workshops and community education

• Opportunities to learn and grow alongside us

🌿 Follow along, get involved, and let 2026 be the year you grow something real.

City Blossoms Inc. Urban Farms

Growing food. Growing knowledge. Growing community.