What to Plant in January
USDA Zone 8a
Last frost: Mar 1 – Mar 15
Frost-free days: 220–250
Mild winters mean you can still direct sow cool-season crops outdoors. Start planning spring plantings and get warm-season seeds organized.
January at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Parsley
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplant
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Brussels Sprouts
Kale
Lettuce
Peas
Collards
Start Indoors 11
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Peppers
Jan 1–15
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Eggplant
Jan 1–15
1 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Jan 1–15
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Lettuce
Jan 1–15
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Collards
Jan 1–8
Tomatoes
Jan 15 – Feb 1
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Later this month
Parsley
Dec 15 – Jan 1
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Broccoli
Dec 15 – Jan 1
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cauliflower
Dec 15 – Jan 1
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Cabbage
Dec 15 – Jan 1
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Dec 15 – Jan 1
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Transplant 4
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Direct Sow 1
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Peas
Jan 15 – Feb 15
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
January Gardening Tips
- Start Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Peas 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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