January is a great time to start planning your garden for the year ahead. Even though it’s cold outside, you can get a jump start on the growing season by planting certain vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
In warmer areas, you can plant onions, shallots, broad beans, spinach, and kale directly in the ground. These hardy crops can handle cooler temperatures and will be ready to harvest in spring or early summer. If you live in a colder climate, don’t worry – you can still start seeds indoors for plants like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
For flower lovers, January is the perfect time to plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips and daffodils. You can also start seeds for colorful annuals like petunias and marigolds indoors. By planning and planting now, you’ll have a beautiful and bountiful garden to enjoy when warmer weather arrives.
Vegetables To Sow Indoors
January is a great time to start sowing certain vegetables indoors. Getting an early start can give you a head start on the growing season. Let’s look at some veggies you can begin indoors this month.
Chillies
Chilli peppers need a long growing season, so it’s smart to start them indoors in January. Use seed trays with good potting mix. Keep the soil warm – around 70°F is ideal. Place trays on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights.
Water gently and keep soil moist but not soggy. Chilli seeds can take 1-3 weeks to sprout. Once seedlings appear, make sure they get lots of light. When they have a few sets of leaves, move them to small pots.
Varieties to try:
- Jalapeño
- Habanero
- Thai Bird’s Eye
Feed with weak liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. Pinch out growing tips to encourage bushier plants. Plan to move chillies outdoors in late spring after all frost risk has passed.
Aubergines (Eggplants)
Aubergines also benefit from an early indoor start. Sow seeds in small pots or cell trays. Use light, well-draining potting mix. Keep soil temperature around 70-80°F for best results.
Place pots in a warm spot – a heated propagator is ideal if you have one. Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days. Once seedlings emerge, move them to a bright windowsill or under grow lights.
When plants have 2-3 sets of true leaves, transplant into 3-inch pots. Water regularly but don’t overdo it. Feed with diluted liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks.
Popular varieties:
- Black Beauty
- Long Purple
- Little Finger
Harden off plants gradually before moving outdoors in late spring. Aubergines love heat, so wait until nights stay above 50°F.
Basil
Fresh basil adds flavor to many dishes. Start seeds indoors for an early crop. Use small pots or seed trays with drainage holes. Fill with seed starting mix and lightly moisten.
Sow seeds thinly on the surface. Cover very lightly with soil or vermiculite. Keep soil warm – around 70°F is perfect. Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.
Once seedlings appear, move to a sunny spot. A south-facing window works well. Water gently when soil feels dry. When plants have 2-3 sets of true leaves, thin or transplant to give each seedling more space.
Types to try:
- Sweet Basil
- Thai Basil
- Lemon Basil
Pinch out growing tips to encourage bushy growth. Basil doesn’t like cold, so wait until late spring to move plants outdoors.
Onions
Starting onions from seed gives you more variety options. Use shallow trays or pots filled with seed starting mix. Sow seeds thinly and cover lightly with soil.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Onion seeds like cooler temps – around 60-65°F is good. Seedlings should appear in 7-10 days.
Once sprouted, move trays to a bright spot. A cool room or unheated greenhouse works well. When seedlings are about 2 inches tall, trim tops to encourage stronger growth.
Long-day onion types:
- Walla Walla
- Red Baron
- Ailsa Craig
Feed with half-strength liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. In early spring, start hardening off plants. Transplant outdoors when soil can be worked and nights stay above freezing.
Vegetables To Sow Outdoors (Mild Climates)
If you live in a mild climate, January can be a great time to start planting some hardy vegetables outdoors. With proper care and protection, these plants can thrive even in cooler temperatures.
Broad Beans
Broad beans are a top choice for outdoor sowing in January. These sturdy plants can handle light frosts and cool soil. Pick a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil. Sow the seeds about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart.
For extra protection, cover newly planted areas with row covers or cloches. This helps shield young plants from harsh weather. Water the soil gently after planting, but avoid overwatering as it may cause seeds to rot.
Broad beans grow best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Add some compost to the planting area to boost nutrients. As plants grow, support them with stakes or trellises to prevent damage from strong winds.
Expect to harvest your broad beans in late spring or early summer. The young pods are tender and tasty in salads, while mature beans are great for soups and stews.
Flowers To Sow Indoors
January is a great time to start growing flowers indoors. You can get a head start on the spring season by planting certain varieties now. Let’s look at some popular flowers you can sow this month.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are a perfect choice for January planting. These fragrant climbers produce beautiful blooms in many colors.
To start sweet peas:
- Use deep pots or root trainers
- Sow seeds 1 inch deep
- Keep soil moist but not soggy
- Place in a cool spot around 55°F
Sweet peas need about 10-12 weeks to grow before planting outside. This gives you flowers by early spring. Pinch out the growing tips when plants reach 4 inches tall. This helps create bushy plants with more blooms.
Geraniums
Geraniums are easy to grow from seed and make great container plants. They come in many bright colors and bloom all summer long.
Here’s how to start geranium seeds:
- Use small pots with drainage holes
- Plant seeds on the surface of moist soil
- Cover lightly with vermiculite
- Keep warm at 70-75°F
Geranium seeds take 5-7 days to sprout. Once seedlings appear, move them to a sunny spot. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushiness.
Begonias
Begonias offer showy flowers and fancy foliage. They work well in shady gardens or as indoor plants.
Tips for starting begonias:
- Use sterile seed-starting mix
- Sprinkle tiny seeds on top of soil
- Don’t cover seeds – they need light to grow
- Keep soil moist with a spray bottle
- Maintain temps around 70-75°F
Begonia seeds are very small. Mix them with sand before sowing to spread them out. Seedlings appear in 2-3 weeks. They grow slowly at first, so be patient. Thin out weaker plants as they develop.
Trees And Shrubs To Plant
January is a great time to add new trees and shrubs to your garden. The cold weather makes it easier to plant bare-root specimens, which are often cheaper than container-grown plants. Let’s look at some top options for planting this month.
Bare-Root Roses
Roses are a classic choice for any garden. In January, you can find bare-root roses at many nurseries. These plants are dormant and have no soil around their roots, making them easy to transport and plant.
To plant bare-root roses:
- Soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting
- Dig a hole wide enough for the roots to spread out
- Place the rose in the hole, making sure the graft union is just below soil level
- Fill the hole with soil and water well
Some good rose varieties to try are:
- ‘Peace’ – large yellow blooms
- ‘Iceberg’ – white flowers that bloom all summer
- ‘Mr. Lincoln’ – deep red, fragrant flowers
Deciduous Trees And Shrubs
January is perfect for planting deciduous trees and shrubs. These plants lose their leaves in winter, so planting them while dormant gives them time to settle in before spring.
Good options include:
- Maple trees for fall color
- Flowering cherry trees for spring blossoms
- Dogwood shrubs for winter interest
When planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Place the tree or shrub at the same depth it was growing before. Fill in with soil and water well. Add a layer of mulch around the base to keep the soil moist.
Remember to stake young trees if you live in a windy area. This will help them grow straight and strong.
General Tips For January Planting
January brings chilly weather to many areas, but you can still get a head start on your garden. Check your local hardiness zone to know what plants will thrive in your climate.
- Start seeds indoors for warm-season crops. This gives them time to grow before moving outside when it’s warmer. Good options include tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
- If you live in a milder climate, try planting cool-season veggies directly in the garden. Spinach, kale, and lettuce can handle light frost.
- Protect outdoor plants from harsh weather. Use row covers or cold frames to shield tender seedlings from freezing temperatures.
Don’t forget about indoor gardening! Grow herbs on a sunny windowsill for fresh flavors all winter long.
Prepare your soil for spring planting. Add compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the earth. This gives nutrients time to break down before planting season.
Plan your garden layout. Sketch out where you’ll plant different crops. This helps you make the most of your space.
Lastly, clean and sharpen your tools. Having everything ready makes spring planting much easier.
Conclusion
January offers many planting opportunities for gardeners. You can start seeds indoors for summer crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. This gives them a head start before the warm season.
In milder climates, you can sow some vegetables directly outdoors. Good choices include onions, garlic, spinach, and kale. These hardy plants can handle cooler temperatures.
Don’t forget about flowers! Many annuals and perennials benefit from an early start indoors. You’ll have beautiful blooms ready to transplant when spring arrives.
Remember to check your specific growing zone. It determines what you can plant and when. Some areas may be too cold for outdoor planting in January.
Indoor seed starting is a great way to beat the winter blues. It lets you get your hands dirty and plan for the gardening season ahead.
With proper planning, you can have a thriving garden come spring and summer. January planting sets the foundation for a year of gardening success.
