January Planting Guide

Zone 9

Direct Sow Outside

  • Garlic

    1/28 - 3/11

    Can be started in late fall but Jan is better if space is an issue; Plant in well drained soil; Full sun; Harvest when tops start to yellow; Dry for storage.

  • Potato

    1/28 - 3/11

    Easy to grow; Protect from frost; Mound plants; Well drained soil.

  • Horseradish

    1/28-3/11

    1 inch of rain per week; Prune some of the smaller weaker sprouts; When leaves reach 10” dig up remove side roots & almost all leaves and replant.

  • Rutabaga

    1/28 - 2/11

    Direct sow in full sun; cool weather crop; Harvest at 4-5” in diameter.

Start Indoor

  • Angelonia

    12/24 - 1/21

    Sow indoor 6-8 weeks before last frost; Likes 70-75 degree soil temp; Plant 18” apart; When 6” pinch tips to encourage branching.

  • Aster

    12/24 - 1/14

    Plant in full sun; Plant 18-36 inches apart; Only use a mild fertilizer; Late summer bloom; Great cut flower plant.

  • Artichoke

    12/17 - 1/14

    Better germination with cold stratification; Likes full sun; Keep moist plants need about an inch of water a week.

  • Arugula

    12/24 - 1/7

    Best flavor if grown in the winter; Full sun to partial shade; Keep well water likes 1 inch of rain a week.

  • Basil

    12/31 - 1/14

    6-8 weeks before the frost; Warm weather crop; Plant outside once soil is 50 degrees but prefers 70 degree soil.

  • Broccoli

    12/24 - 1/14

    Start 8 weeks before frost. Likes soil temps between 40 & 70 degrees; Direct sow in the fall & start indoor in the spring;

  • Cabbage

    12/24 - 1/7

    Start indoors 8 weeks before frost & transplant 3-5 weeks before the last frost. Harden off before planting; Likes to be 70 degrees.

  • Cauliflower

    12/24 - 1/14

    Needs temps to be constant temperatures around 60 degrees; Likes consistent care; Difficult to grow.

  • Chamomile

    12/24 - 1/21

    Sow indoor 6-8 weeks before last frost date, or direct sow after frost; Like 70 degree soil; Needs full sun with good drainage.

  • Cilantro

    12/24 - 1/28

    Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost; Likes 70 degree soil; Can also be direct sown after frost.

  • Eggplant

    12/17 - 1/14

    Start 8 weeks before the last frost; Likes 75 degree soil temp; Not recommended for direct sow.

  • Fennel

    12/31 - 1/28

    Sow indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost or direct sow after frost; Like soil 70 degrees; Keep well watered.

  • Lemon Balm

    12/24 - 1/14

    Sow indoor 6-8 weeks before spring frost; likes 70 degree soil temps; After bloom cut back by 2/3.

  • Lemongrass

    12/24 - 1/28

    Plant in full sun; Harvest when leafy top is 10-12 inches; Repels mosquitoes; Not cold hardy.

  • Lettuce

    12/24 - 1/7

    4-6 weeks before the last frost; Once soil temps are 40 degrees; Cold season crop; Can be transplanted but best directly sown; Succession-plant weekly.

  • Mint

    12/17 - 1/14

    Alway plant in containers, very invasive; Likes to be moist; Full sun or partial shade.

  • Oregano

    12/24 - 1/14

    Start 8-10 weeks before the last frost date; Must be kept over 45 degrees; Likes 70 degree moist soil.

  • Parsley

    1/14 - 1/28

    Best be started indoor 8-10 weeks before last spring frost; Keep soil 70 degrees; Full sun; Sometimes self sows.

  • Pepper

    12/2 - 1/14

    Start indoor 8-10 weeks before transplanting; Likes 75 degree soil.

  • Tomato

    12/31 - 1/14

    6-8 weeks before the last frost; Likes 75 degree soil; Best started indoor and then transplanted.

  • Tomatillo

    12/31 - 1/14

    6-8 weeks before last spring frost; Likes 75 degree soil; Likes full sun.

  • Zinnia

    12/31 - 1/14

    Start indoors 5-7 weeks before transplanting, or direct sow after frost; Likes soil 70-75 degrees; Full sun.

Transplant Starts

  • Blackberry

    1/14 - 3/11

    Best planted from cutting; Plant 100’ from red raspberries; Fruits in the summer; Harvest 2x a week.

  • Blueberry

    1/14 - 3/11

    Best planted bare root; Sunny to partial shade; Plant at least 2 so they cross pollinate; Prune while the plant is dormant.

  • Brussels Sprouts

    Brussels Sprouts

    1/28 - 2/25

    Can be grown in the spring but does best in the fall; likes 70 degree soil temps; sow indoor 8 weeks before transplanting; harden off for one week before planting.

  • Chives

    1/28 - 3/11

    Must be started indoors and then transplanted after frost; Start indoor 8-10 weeks before frost date; Likes 70 degree soil.

  • Echinacea

    1/28 - 3/11

    Spring or Fall crop; Start indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting; Like soil temps 65-70 degrees; Protect from frost.

  • Hops

    1/14 - 3/11

    Planted from a cutting; Needs full sun; Requires 120 frost free days to bloom; Dies back to ground each fall.

  • Lavender

    1/28 - 3/11

    Sow indoor 6-10 weeks before last spring frost; Likes 70-80 degree soil; Harden off before moving outside; Harvest in the morning.

  • Onion

    1/28 - 3/4

    Best started indoors; Likes soil temps 50+ degrees; Protect from frost; Light sensitive check variety for duration requirements.

  • Parsley

    1/14 - 1/28

    Must be started indoor 8-10 weeks before last spring frost; Keep soil 70 degrees; Full sun; Sometimes self sows.

  • Strawberry

    1/28 - 3/11

    Likes 6 weeks of cold; Plant with crown out of soil; Wait until second year to harvest.

“January is the month for dreaming.”

Jean Hersey