Herbs And Vegetables You Should Start From Seed In January

January is not a month most people in cold climates associate with gardening. While it’s true the outdoor conditions are harsh this time of year, it’s still possible to get ahead on your spring vegetable garden by starting plants indoors. The key is knowing which herbs and vegetables will sprout when you start them from seed indoors.

Some herbs you should consider starting from seed in January include onions, cauliflower, leeks, eggplant, and cabbage. Leafy greens you can start indoors this winter include Swiss chard, spinach, kale, and lettuce. Parsley and chives are two herbs worth starting from seed as well. Remember to use the right soil and containers, and provide a sunny and warm location when growing plants from seed indoors in January.

If you grow herbs and vegetables in your garden every year, then you are already aware that seedlings are becoming more expensive than ever. Growing plants from seed is significantly cheaper, and it’s a fun gardening project you can enjoy during the winter when there isn’t much happening outside. Keep reading to learn all the best plants to start from seed this January, and tips to remember when you begin your garden vegetables indoors.

Five Tips To Remember When Sowing Seeds Indoors In January

1. Choose The Right Soil

When you grow any plant from seed, the right soil is essential. When you grow plants indoors in the winter, you need to use a high-quality starting mix to ensure they thrive in these less-than-ideal conditions.

Opt for a fine-textured starting mix, as these soils have excellent water retention and are usually sterile, which helps prevent fungus from ruining your plants.

2. Pick A Sunny And Warm Location

January is one of the darkest times of year in the Northern Hemisphere. This makes growing plants from seed challenging, but as long as you find a sunny spot near a window, you should have success. If you have limited light in your home, consider purchasing a grow light. Ensure the area by the window is not drafty, as you also need a warm environment for your seeds to sprout.

3. Use The Right Container

Picking the proper growing vessel can make all the difference when you are starting plants from seed indoors. For one, you want a container that makes it easy to transplant your seedlings. You also want a container that helps with drainage and water retention. 

Opt for seed trays, which allow you to plant many different plants in a small space, offer excellent drainage, and often come with clear lids that promote germination. Alternatively, you can use biodegradable containers, which you can plant directly into the ground when the weather warms up.

4. Opt For Plants That Are Easy To Transplant

While growing plants from seed is a great way to get a head start and save money on your vegetable garden, it isn’t always a good idea. Several plants should be planted directly in the ground, rather than started indoors. Ensure you only grow plant species that are easy to transplant and thrive when started from seed inside.

5. Keep The Soil Moist

Moisture is key when growing plants from seed. Your home, however, can be arid in January. You must ensure the soil stays moist by checking on it often and watering it as needed. Remember that overwatering can kill plants just as easily as underwatering.

13 Herbs And Vegetables You Can Start From Seed In January

1. Onions

Onions are one of the best plants to start in January. Since onions like to go in the ground in the early spring, you can easily get a head start by planting them from seed in January. They are usually ready to transplant within 8 to 10 weeks of planting, which should align nicely with the end of winter.

2. Leeks

Leeks are a fantastic vegetable to grow in your garden, as they are resilient, healthy, and delicious. These plants are often difficult to find in grocery stores and usually quite expensive. When you grow them from seed in the winter, however, they are incredibly cheap.

Leeks are cold-hardy plants, making them perfect for an early-season garden. They require 8 to 12 weeks from seed to be ready for transplanting, making January the perfect time to start growing leeks.

3. Cauliflower

Cauliflower is very cold-hardy, and another plant that can be costly to purchase as a seedling. Growing cauliflower from seed is quick and easy. You can transplant some cauliflower varieties in as few as 5 to 6 weeks. For those living in regions with milder winters, you can plant your cauliflower in the ground in early March.

4. Peas

Many people grow peas from seed by sowing them directly in the garden. If, however, you want to get a head start on your spring garden and harvest some of your peas early, then you can start them from seed in January. Peas can be transplanted as quickly as one month after you seed them, as long as outdoor weather conditions are agreeable.

5. Swiss Chard

If you want to harvest some leafy greens this spring, then plant Swiss chard from seed this winter. Swiss chard requires 4 to 6 weeks of indoor growth before you can transplant it outdoors. This cold-hardy leafy green can be planted as early as 6 weeks before your last frost date, making January the perfect time to start.

6. Eggplant

Growing eggplant in your garden is a great vegetable to grow to save on groceries this summer. Each plant can produce between four and six eggplants, which means you’ll have plenty of eggplant in the summer. 

To ensure your plants start producing sooner rather than later, grow eggplant from seed starting in January. Eggplant requires 6 to 8 weeks indoors before you can transplant them outside.

7. Kale

Kale is one of the most durable cold-hardy greens. It’s also incredibly healthy, making it the perfect plant to start indoors this winter. It takes between two and three months to grow kale from seed, and you can transplant it into the ground after one month. Planting kale in January will give you leaves that are ready to harvest in early spring. 

8. Spinach

Spinach is a healthy green you can grow year-round. To ensure an early-spring harvest of this super-green, you should start spinach from seed in January. Spinach should remain indoors for 4 to 6 weeks, and then you can transplant it once the weather is warm enough.

9. Cabbage

Cabbage is one of the most resilient plants you can find in a vegetable garden, making it the perfect vegetable to grow when you have a short or chilly growing season. From seed, cabbage needs almost two months before you can transplant it outdoors, and even seedlings can withstand some overnight frost.

10. Parsley

Parsley is an excellent herb for soups, dressings, and many Mediterranean dishes. It’s also a great garnish. This herb is also easy to grow from seed in the winter. Parsley takes upwards of 100 days to reach full maturity, so it’s smart to start this plant in mid-winter to ensure it's ready to harvest by early summer.

11. Chives

Chives are another allium and herb that are an asset to any garden. They add fragrance and color to many savory dishes and are a fantastic garnish. They are also incredibly easy to grow some seed and then transplant in the spring. 

Chives grow quickly, which means you can often transplant them within 6 to 8 weeks of planting the seeds, as long as the outdoor temperatures are agreeable.

12. Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are another cold-hardy plant that you can grow from seed with great success in January. These vegetables are rich in nutrients and can withstand significant evening frosts. This makes them an ideal plant to grow from seed and then transplant in the early spring.

13. Tomatoes

Tomato plants are not cold-hardy, but heirloom and other tomato varieties can take more than 12 weeks to grow from seed until they reach a point where you can transplant them. By planting tomato seeds in January, you can transplant some of your early tomato plants once the risk of frost is no longer present.

Summing Up Vegetables You Can Start From Seed In January

Growing plants from seed in January is a great way to save money and get a head start on your spring vegetable garden. There are, however, some plants that are easier and better to grow from seed than others. 

Some of the best herbs and vegetables you can grow from seed this January include onions, leeks, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and tomatoes. You can also grow several hardy greens and herbs, including kale, spinach, and Swiss chard, parsley, and chives.

Related Guides:

• Herbs And Vegetables That Return To Your Garden Every Year
• 13 Spring Vegetable Garden Tips That Will Improve Your Summer Harvest
• 13 Steps To Keep Your Garden Safe Through Cold Winters