My Planting Calendar

What to plant in January in Delaware

In Delaware (DE), January sits about 13 weeks before the average last frost (April 14). The state averages 191 frost-free days a year (last frost April 14, first frost October 22; USDA zones 7a, 7b).

5 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Delaware frost dates (last frost Apr 14, first frost Oct 22). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, tomato or lettuce in Delaware.

A planning monthSow or plant: 5Start indoors: 5Harvesting: 0

Delaware: planting activity through the year

5
29
68
89
58
10
18
35
19
1
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 14 – Oct 22
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 5 have one in January; the busiest month is April (89).

Start seeds indoors in January (5)

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 indoorsJan 20 – Feb 3Opens Jan 20
CeleryStart seeds indoorsJan 27 – Feb 10Opens Jan 27
LeekStart seeds indoorsJan 27 – Feb 10Opens Jan 27
OnionStart seeds indoorsJan 27 – Feb 10Opens Jan 27
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsJan 27 – Feb 10Opens Jan 27

Planting dates for popular crops in Delaware

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

When to plant onion in Delaware →When to plant tomato in Delaware →When to plant lettuce in Delaware →When to plant garlic in Delaware →When to plant bell pepper in Delaware →When to plant carrot in Delaware →When to plant pea in Delaware →When to plant spinach in Delaware →Delaware frost dates by zone →

A planning month: January garden jobs in Delaware

  1. Order seed while stock is good. Delaware's average last frost is April 14, so the first indoor sowings begin around January 20 - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. Sketch this year's beds and move each crop family to a new spot - the garden planner and the crop rotation guide make it quick.
  3. Test old seed: roll ten seeds in a damp paper towel for a week. If fewer than seven sprout, sow thicker or buy fresh.
  4. If the ground isn't frozen, spread compost now so it's worked in by spring, and send off a soil test - January is when labs are quiet.

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Delaware in January?

5 crops have a window in January: celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Delaware the next tomato window opens around February 17: start seeds indoors.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Delaware the next lettuce window opens around March 10: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Delaware?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 22 and the last spring frost around April 14. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in January in Delaware?

Celeriac (Jan 20 – Feb 3), Celery (Jan 27 – Feb 10), Leek (Jan 27 – Feb 10), Onion (Jan 27 – Feb 10), Rosemary (Jan 27 – Feb 10).

February in Delaware →Full-year Delaware planting calendar →Delaware frost dates →

What to plant in January in other states

District of ColumbiaMarylandNew JerseyVirginiaAlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaAll states →

Dates are computed from Delaware’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.