My Planting Calendar

What to plant in January in Alabama

In Alabama (AL), January sits about 10 weeks before the average last frost (March 25). The state averages 225 frost-free days a year (last frost March 25, first frost November 5; USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).

24 crops have a sowing or planting window this month - and 1 of those windows close during January.

Dates here come from Alabama frost dates (last frost Mar 25, first frost Nov 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in Alabama.

Seed-starting seasonSow or plant: 24Start indoors: 24Harvesting: 0

Alabama: planting activity through the year

24
65
78
66
9
9
14
30
28
3
2
2
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Mar 25 – Nov 5
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 24 have one in January; the busiest month is March (78).

Last chance in January

Celeriac (start seeds indoors, by Jan 14)

Start seeds indoors in January (24)

Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
CeleriacStart seeds indoorsDec 31 – Jan 14Last chance - ends Jan 14
CeleryStart seeds indoorsJan 7 – Jan 21Jan 7 – Jan 21
LeekStart seeds indoorsJan 7 – Jan 21Jan 7 – Jan 21
OnionStart seeds indoorsJan 7 – Jan 21Jan 7 – Jan 21
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsJan 7 – Jan 21Jan 7 – Jan 21
EggplantStart seeds indoorsJan 14 – Jan 28Jan 14 – Jan 28
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsJan 14 – Jan 28Jan 14 – Jan 28
ShallotStart seeds indoorsJan 14 – Jan 28Jan 14 – Jan 28
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
GingerStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
MintStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
OreganoStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
SageStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
TarragonStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
ThymeStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
TurmericStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
Ground CherryStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
Lemon BalmStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
Shiso (Perilla)Start seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
Sweet MarjoramStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
TomatilloStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
TomatoStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28

Planting dates for popular crops in Alabama

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Alabama: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant onion in Alabama →When to plant eggplant in Alabama →When to plant bell pepper in Alabama →When to plant chili pepper in Alabama →When to plant tomato in Alabama →When to plant lettuce in Alabama →When to plant garlic in Alabama →When to plant carrot in Alabama →Alabama frost dates by zone →

Seed-starting season: January garden jobs in Alabama

  1. Start 24 crops indoors this month, including celeriac, celery, leek, onion. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. 10 weeks until the average last frost (March 25). The seed-starting calculator works out each crop's exact sowing date from it.
  3. Keep seedlings from stretching: lights 2-3 inches above the leaves for 14-16 hours a day, and a fan or a daily brush of the hand across the tops.
  4. Prepare beds as soon as the soil crumbles instead of smearing when squeezed - working wet soil ruins its structure for the season.

USDA zone chart for Alabama

Alabama spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days
Zone 9Feb 20Nov 30280 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Alabama in January?

24 crops have a window in January: celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley, shallot, bell pepper, chili pepper and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Alabama in January?

No - start seeds indoors runs Jan 28 – Feb 11 in Alabama.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Alabama in January?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Alabama the next lettuce window opens around February 18: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Alabama?

The statewide average first fall frost is around November 5 and the last spring frost around March 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in January in Alabama?

Celeriac (Dec 31 – Jan 14), Celery (Jan 7 – Jan 21), Leek (Jan 7 – Jan 21), Onion (Jan 7 – Jan 21), Rosemary (Jan 7 – Jan 21), Eggplant (Jan 14 – Jan 28), Parsley (Jan 14 – Jan 28), Shallot (Jan 14 – Jan 28), Bell Pepper (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Chili Pepper (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Ginger (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Green Onion / Scallion (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Mint (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Oregano (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Sage (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Tarragon (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Thyme (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Turmeric (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Ground Cherry (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Lemon Balm (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Shiso (Perilla) (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Sweet Marjoram (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Tomatillo (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Tomato (Jan 28 – Feb 11).

← December in AlabamaFebruary in Alabama →Full-year Alabama planting calendar →Alabama frost dates →

What to plant in January in other states

ArkansasFloridaLouisianaMississippiArizonaCaliforniaConnecticutDelawareAll states →

Dates are computed from Alabama’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.