13 Things To Plant In January To Keep Your Garden Flourishing

Artichokes

When you plant artichokes, it’s typically for the following season, providing ample time for vernalization—cold exposure resulting in a healthy blooming season.

If you live in USDA zones 6-11, you can plant artichokes directly outside in January. Green globe artichokes are a cold-hardy variety that does well in winter.

If you live in USDA zone 5 or lower, you can start your seeds inside, as they require 10-12 weeks of germination. Start the process by placing them in the fridge for two weeks to emulate the cold outdoor temperature.

Austrian Winter Pea

As the name implies, Austrian winter peas are made for the cold. These legumes will survive the winter outdoors in USDA zones 6 and above. They can tolerate hard frosts but need extra insulation in areas where the temperature dips below 5°F (-15°C).

Harvest and eat the pods and greens while the plant is young, or wait until the legumes mature and use them as a dry soup pea.

Broccoli

Like many hardy vegetables, broccoli tends to taste better with a touch of frost. You can plant and leave broccoli outside in temperatures above 26°F (-3°C). Purple broccoli varieties are more cold-hardy due to higher levels of anthocyanin.

Alternatively, you can start this plant indoors 10 weeks before the final frost, aiming for an early April transfer in cooler USDA zones.

Cabbage

Cabbage is cold hardy, with some varieties surviving in temperatures as low as 15°F (-9°C). Crinkly savoy, an heirloom variety, is particularly hardy in cold climates. Red cabbage varieties are also frost-resistant.

However, it’s best to have a few established cabbage leaves before introducing the plant to frost. Start your plants indoors in January and move them outdoors in 4-6 weeks for optimal results. If you are in USDA zone 6 or lower, plan your transfer accordingly to ensure the temperature is above 15°F (-9°C).

Carrots

You can plant carrots outdoors in the winter in USDA zones 3-10, choosing cold-hardy varieties like Bolero.

The carrots will require mulch or straw to insulate the ground as they grow. Consider germinating indoors and transferring outside if the ground isn’t frozen. The insulation will also make them easier to pull during the cold months.

Cauliflower

Like purple broccoli, purple cauliflower is more resistant to frost thanks to the anthocyanin. Cauliflower is a slow grower, taking upward of three months to mature.

Start the seeds indoors and transfer them outside for a spring harvest. Time the transfer to ensure the temperature doesn’t fall below 26°F (-3°C).

Collards

Collards are another member of the Brassicaceae family, along with broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. These vegetables are cold hardy to 5°F (-15°C).

Plant collards directly in the ground 3-4 weeks before the last frost, covering the soil with straw or mulch. You can also start them indoors in January and transfer accordingly in colder USDA zones.

Garlic

Perhaps one of the best-known winter growers, garlic performs best when exposed to winter temperatures. If you missed the late fall planting season, you still have time to plant in January.

Garlic takes 8-9 months to mature. Plant your crops in January and enjoy them in the late summer.

Kale

For another frost-sweetened harvest, plant your kale in January. Varieties like Red Russian are one of the best vegetables for winter planting.

Plan to harvest your Red Russian kale within 60 days, storing it in the fridge and consuming it quickly. While this variety is winter-friendly, it turns quickly after harvesting.

Leeks

While easy to grow, leeks are painfully slow, taking upward of 120 days to mature. While these unsung heroes of soups and stir-fries are not cold-resistant, starting them indoors is a great way to get an early harvest.

Start your seeds indoors in January to transfer in late May or early April. Delay transferring until the risk of frost has passed.

Onions

Like leeks, onions are notoriously slow growers. However, this feature makes them ideal for winter planting.

Start your onions indoors in late January, and then let them grow for 6-8 weeks before transferring them outside. Young onions will need mulch and coverage to survive outdoors during the late winter and early spring; keep them covered until the last frost.

Spinach

While there are several spinach varieties that tolerate frost, Giant Winter Organic was designed specifically for winter planting.

Sow directly into the soil and plan to harvest 45-60 days after planting.