What to Plant in January
Birmingham, AL · Zone 7b
Last frost: Mar 25
Frost-free days: 230
The garden is dormant outdoors, but it's time to start planning and get seed orders in. Some long-season crops like peppers and onions can be started indoors this month.
January at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Chives
Cilantro
Lavender
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Artichoke
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Peas
Radish
Spinach
Strawberry
Sunflower
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 23
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lavender
Jan 1 – Apr 8
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Apr 15
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Jan 1 – May 23
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – May 16
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – Jun 30
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Broccoli
Jan 1 – Apr 15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Jan 1–31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Jan 1 – Apr 15
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Jan 1 – Apr 15
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Celery
Jan 1 – Mar 16
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Kale
Jan 1 – Sep 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
Jan 1 – Apr 15
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Jan 1 – Mar 31
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Later this month
Sunflower
Jan 24 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Tomato
Jan 24 – May 16
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Transplant 14
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Broccoli
Jan 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Jan 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Jan 1 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Jan 1 – Oct 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Lettuce
Jan 1 – May 16
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Spinach
Jan 1 – Apr 30
9 per sq ft
35–50 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Brussels Sprouts
Jan 9 – Jun 8
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Direct Sow 7
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Cilantro
Jan 1 – May 16
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Beet
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Carrot
Jan 1 – Dec 31
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Garlic
Jan 1 – Nov 23
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Peas
Jan 1 – May 31
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Turnip
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Radish
Jan 9 – May 16
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
January Gardening Tips
- Start Tomato, Lettuce, Broccoli indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Carrot, Peas, Garlic straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Check seed starting supplies — grow lights, heat mats, and fresh seed-starting mix. Order seeds early for the best selection.
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