Kickstart Your Garden: Top 5 Plants to Grow in January: A Region-Friendly, No-Nonsense Guide to What You Can Start Right Now

If you’re new to gardening, January can feel confusing. Half the internet says it’s way too early to plant anything, while the other half insists you should already be harvesting tomatoes.

Here’s the truth: January isn’t about growing everything.It’s about starting the right things for where you live.

A Quick Note

You’ll see a few gardening terms below that sound more complicated than they actually are. Here’s what they mean in plain English:

• Cold stratification: Some seeds need to experience cold before they’ll sprout. January naturally provides that, either outdoors or in the fridge.

• Indoor start: Planting seeds inside under lights or near a bright window so they’re strong before going outside.

• Cold frame: A simple protected box or covered bed that traps heat and shields plants from frost.

• Hardening off: Gradually letting indoor plants experience outdoor conditions so they don’t get shocked.

• Long-season crop: Plants that take a long time to grow and benefit from an early start.

If any of these still feel fuzzy, that’s okay. Gardening is learned by doing — not memorizing terms.

Before we get into the plants themselves, let’s talk about growing regions in a way that doesn’t require a degree in meteorology or horticulture.

Young seedlings sprouting in January indoors

A Simple Way to Think About Growing Regions

Professional growers rely on detailed hardiness maps that divide large land masses into zones based on temperature, frost dates, and climate patterns. Those maps are useful, but for January seed starting, we can simplify things.

For most home gardeners, January planting decisions fall into three broad categories.

Warm Regions

• Mild winters

• Little or no frost

Examples: Southern California, parts of the South, coastal zones

You can sometimes plant outdoors now, but you still benefit from indoor starts for slow crops.

Moderate Regions

• Cool winters

• Some frost

Examples: Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, much of the Midwest

January is for indoor starts, cold frames, and planning, not bare-soil planting.

Cold Regions

• Long winters

• Frozen ground

Examples: Northeast, Northern Midwest, high elevations

January is about long-season plants and patience, started indoors or stratified.

If you’re unsure which you are, assume moderate, since that accounts for cold(ish) temperatures.

The lists below highlight five reliable plants per region, chosen because they are:

• easy to grow

• widely useful for cooking or holistic herbal remedies

• common in many cuisines

• rewarding for beginners and experienced gardeners alike

Cold frame with spinach and lettuce seedlings growing in January

So What Is January Good For?

January is perfect for:

• slow growers

• long-season crops

• perennials

• medicinal plants

• seeds that need cold or time

In other words, the plants that reward patience.

Below are three lists by region, so you can quickly find what makes sense for you to start growing. Some plants overlap and can be started in more then one area.

Warm Regions

(Outdoor sowing possible, but indoor still helps)

1. Onions (from seed)

Difficulty: Easy, but slow

Best start: Indoors in trays

Why January: They need a long head start

Next step: Transplant outside in early spring

Onions started now form bigger bulbs later. They look unimpressive at first, but they’re worth it.

2. Lettuce

Difficulty: Easy

Best start: Indoors or protected outdoor beds

Why January: Cool-season crop

Next step: Succession sow every few weeks

Great confidence booster plant.

3. Spinach

Difficulty: Easy

Best start: Outdoors or cold frame

Why January: Loves cool temps

Important note: Bolts in heat

4. Kale

Difficulty: Very easy

Best start: Indoors or outdoors

Why January: Cold-hardy and forgiving

Harvest: Cut-and-come-again

5. Herbs (Parsley, Chives, Cilantro)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Best start: Indoors

Why January: Slow germination

Tip: Don’t overwater

Moderate Regions (PNW, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest)

(Indoor starts + cold frames)

1. Onions & Leeks

Difficulty: Easy but slow

Best start: Indoors

Why January: They need time

Next step: Transplant in early spring

This is one of the best January investments you can make.

2. Brassicas (Kale, Cabbage, Broccoli)

Difficulty: Moderate

Best start: Indoors

Why January: Early harvests

Important note: Harden off before transplanting

3. Lettuce & Spinach

Difficulty: Easy

Best start: Indoors or cold frame

Why January: Cool-weather lovers

Harvest: Early and often

4. Medicinal Herbs

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Best start: Indoors

Includes: Chamomile, Calendula, Yarrow, Lemon balm

These are resilient plants with real utility, not just decoration.

5. Strawberries (protected)

Difficulty: Moderate

Best start: Pots or cold frame

Why January: Establish roots early

Important note: Protect from hard frost

Cold Regions

(Indoor starts + stratification)

1. Onions & Leeks

Difficulty: Easy, slow

Best start: Indoors

Why January: Non-negotiable for good size

2. Herbs with Long Germination

Difficulty: Moderate

Includes: Parsley, Thyme, Oregano, Lavender

Lavender especially benefits from early or cold treatment.

3. Perennial Flowers & Medicinals

Difficulty: Moderate

Includes: Echinacea, Yarrow, Foxglove, Lupine

Many need cold stratification, which January naturally provides.

4. Brassicas (Indoors Only)

Difficulty: Moderate

Why January: Early harvest window later

5. Trees & Woody Plants (Cuttings)

Difficulty: Easy if you’re patient

Includes: Willow, Berries, Shrubs

January is excellent for dormant propagation.

What Not to Start in January (For Most People)

There are some seeds that many new gardeners tend to seed too early:

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Squash

• Beans

While I usually have to try everything at least once for the experience, this is one expensive lesson I learned the hard way that I wish I hadn't. Remember: There is no prize for rushing!!

Tips for Successful January Gardening

• Use grow lights if natural light is limited indoors.

• Keep soil moist but avoid overwatering to prevent rot.

• Maintain consistent temperatures for seed germination.

• Harden off seedlings before moving them outdoors by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.

• Label your plants to keep track of varieties and planting dates.

  
  

Preparing Your Garden Space

January is also a good time to prepare your garden beds:

• Clear debris and weeds.

• Add compost or well-rotted manure to enrich soil.

• Plan your garden layout to maximize space and sunlight.

• Repair or build supports for climbing plants.

  
  

Gardener preparing soil in raised beds in January

Keep Your Garden Growing Strong

Starting seeds in January sets a strong foundation for the year. By choosing the right plants and giving them proper care, you’ll enjoy earlier harvests, stronger plants, and a more relaxed growing season overall.

Gardening in January requires patience, but the rewards are real. Whether you’re working with a windowsill or a full garden, these plants offer a practical way to begin the season with intention and abundance.