After the craziness of the holidays are over, I start thinking about planting. I’m always anxious to get my garden started, so here is my January planting list! This post is focused on what you can plant in January for those of you who are living in Zones 9 & 10.
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What is my Garden Zone?
Not sure what your garden zone is? Follow this link to find out! Don’t live in Zones 9 & 10? Check out our posts on zones 5 & 6 or zones 7 & 8.
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January Planting List – Start Indoors
If you live in zones 9 & 10, January is a great time to start thinking about your garden. Because of the milder winters, your January planting list is a little bit longer than it is for those of us who live in an area with harsher weather.
Eggplant
These plump, purple treats are cousins to peppers and tomatoes. And just like those two crops, they thrive in warm weather. Get some seedlings started in January so that they will be ready for the warm spring weather. Plan on planting them outside once your nighttime temperatures reach 65 degrees.
Kale
In zones 9 & 10 you will definitely want to start kale in January. Kale tastes best when it’s grown in cooler/cold weather, so you won’t want to get kale started too late in zones 9 & 10.
Lettuce
Lettuce is another great vegetable to start in January. Many leaf lettuces do well in milder weather, so January is a great time to start this vegetable.
Melons
Already dreaming about having some delicious melons this summer? A January planting of melons indoors means you will have seedlings ready to go as soon as the weather gets warmer which means you can enjoy your own homegrown melons even sooner!
Peppers
Start peppers indoors now so that they’re ready to plant outside once the weather gets warmer! A January planting of peppers means that you can have fresh homemade salsa even sooner!
Squash
You can start many different squash varieties indoors in January! We love summer squash (and it’s an easy plant to grow for beginners!)
Tomatoes
Can you believe it? In zones 9 & 10 you can plant tomatoes indoors! Plant now so that you have seedlings ready to transplant in a few months! Learn my tips and tricks for growing tomatoes here!
Basil
Fresh basil is a must-have around here. You can start basil indoors in January!
Flowers
You can start more than just vegetables indoors in January! You can plant flower seeds too. Planting flower seeds this month will mean they’ll be ready to transplant once the weather warms up. You’ll save money and you’ll have beautiful flowers ready to go! Here are some flowers you could start with:
- Cosmos
- Marigolds
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
January Planting List – Start Outdoors
Because the weather in zones 9 & 10 is much milder you will be able to start a variety of plants outdoors in January (I’m jealous! I’d love to get started that early!) Here are some of the different plants you can include on your January planting list:
January Planting List – Seedlings
January Planting List – Direct Sow
- Arugula
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Peas
- Radishes
- Spinach
- Turnips
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Parsley
Remember that this January planting guide is for those of you who are living in zones 9 & 10.
What plants are you going to start this month? Comment below!
If you are looking for seeds check out Honest Seed Co! You can find their website here: Honest Seed Co.
What to Plant in January – Zones 7 and 8
Do you know of many vegetable & herb producters who specialize in container/dwarf plants. I am getting up in years & the standard type gardens are more work for me at my location.
I’m sorry I don’t. I’ve never seen a producer that only deals with containers. Sorry.
Burpee and Ferry ores have several varieties that do very well in pots.
I am almost 90.. I buy a few tomato plants now. I am in zone 9 or California near Stanford University. I only grow in containers and have for years. You can control amounts of water you need to use and before you plant the little tomato plants make sure you put chicken manure, green sand and fertilizer in the soil and mix it well. Then pull the bottom three sets of leaves off of each tomato plant and gently sink the tomatoes down into the soil. Make sure you water well. Right now is also a good time to buy cucumber seeds. Buy the smallest cucumbers you can find. They grow well in containers. Also I grow green peas in containers and zucchini also. You can grow lettuce, bok Choi,
And peppers in containers also. Happy planting and don’t hesitate to ask for help at your nursery. Before I plant I call my nursery and ask them to deliver soil that is for co trainers only. Home Depot and even Target has smaller bags of soil that are easier for Seniors to lift. Go to Trader Joe’s and buy basil plants when the tomatoes are just about ready to pick. You won’t be sorry. Take care.
I live in zone nine. Today Im going to plant spinach, arugula, beet and radish seeds. How often do you recommend watering in January and February? Thanks!
It would depend on your weather, just like in the summer time you need to check the soil moisture and water when needed.