What to plant in January in Florida
In Florida (FL), January sits about 4 weeks before the average last frost (February 12). The state averages 301 frost-free days a year (last frost February 12, first frost December 10; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a).
70 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet - and 12 of those windows close during January.
Dates here come from Florida frost dates (last frost Feb 12, first frost Dec 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or arugula in Florida.
Florida covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
Florida: planting activity through the year
Last chance in January
Ground Cherry (start seeds indoors, by Jan 1) · Lemon Balm (start seeds indoors, by Jan 1) · Shiso (Perilla) (start seeds indoors, by Jan 1) · Sweet Marjoram (start seeds indoors, by Jan 1) · Tomatillo (start seeds indoors, by Jan 1) · Tomato (start seeds indoors, by Jan 1) · Broccoli (start seeds indoors, by Jan 8) · Brussels Sprouts (start seeds indoors, by Jan 8) · Cabbage (start seeds indoors, by Jan 8) · Cauliflower (start seeds indoors, by Jan 8) · Kale (start seeds indoors, by Jan 8) · Garlic (plant in fall (after first frost), by Jan 7)
Sow or plant outdoors in January (65)
Direct sowing and transplanting windows that fall in January, most urgent first. Windows are one-to-two-week bands around the ideal date.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 22 | Jan 3 – Jan 22 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 22 | Jan 3 – Jan 22 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 22 | Jan 3 – Jan 22 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Jan 8 – Jan 25 | Jan 8 – Jan 25 |
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 10 – Jan 29 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 10 – Jan 29 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 10 – Jan 29 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 10 – Jan 29 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 10 – Jan 29 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 10 – Jan 29 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 10 – Jan 29 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 10 – Jan 29 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 10 – Jan 29 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Jan 15 – Feb 1 | Opens Jan 15 |
| Collard Greens | Transplant outdoors | Jan 15 – Feb 1 | Opens Jan 15 |
| Horseradish | Plant crowns / divisions | Jan 15 – Feb 1 | Opens Jan 15 |
| Kale | Transplant outdoors | Jan 15 – Feb 1 | Opens Jan 15 |
| Kohlrabi | Transplant outdoors | Jan 15 – Feb 1 | Opens Jan 15 |
| Onion | Transplant outdoors | Jan 15 – Feb 1 | Opens Jan 15 |
| Rhubarb | Plant crowns / divisions | Jan 15 – Feb 1 | Opens Jan 15 |
| Shallot | Transplant outdoors | Jan 15 – Feb 1 | Opens Jan 15 |
| Carrot | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 17 |
| Chervil | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 17 |
| Endive & Escarole | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 17 |
| Kohlrabi | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 17 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 17 |
| Mustard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 17 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 17 |
| Turnip | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 17 |
| Watercress | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 17 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Jan 22 – Feb 8 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Transplant outdoors | Jan 29 – Feb 15 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Globe Artichoke | Plant crowns / divisions | Jan 29 – Feb 15 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Lemon Balm | Transplant outdoors | Jan 29 – Feb 15 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors | Jan 29 – Feb 15 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Tarragon | Transplant outdoors | Jan 29 – Feb 15 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
| Lemon Balm | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
| Parsnip | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
For fall and winter harvests (1)
Sowings counted back from Florida's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic | Plant in fall (after first frost) | Dec 21 – Jan 7 | Last chance - ends Jan 7 |
Start seeds indoors in January (37)
Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Last chance - ends Jan 1 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Last chance - ends Jan 1 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Last chance - ends Jan 1 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Last chance - ends Jan 1 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Last chance - ends Jan 1 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Last chance - ends Jan 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Last chance - ends Jan 8 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Last chance - ends Jan 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Last chance - ends Jan 8 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Last chance - ends Jan 8 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Last chance - ends Jan 8 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Pumpkin | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Sunflower | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Winter Squash | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
Harvesting in January
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Florida
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Florida: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Last-frost month: January garden jobs in Florida
- The average last frost is February 12. Hardy crops can go out now - mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion - but hold tender ones like tomatoes, peppers and squash until after that date.
- Start hardening off indoor seedlings 7-10 days before they go out: a few hours of outdoor shade first, building up to full sun and nights outside.
- Keep row cover or old sheets handy and watch the 10-day forecast - a clear, still night after a warm spell is the classic late-frost setup.
- Soil temperature matters as much as the calendar: most warm-season seed rots below about 60°F. Check the frost dates guide for how the Florida average is worked out.
USDA zone chart for Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Florida in January?
70 crops have a window in January: mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet, fava bean (broad bean), mizuna, onion, radish and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Florida in January?
No - start seeds indoors runs Dec 18 – Jan 1 in Florida, so do it before January 1.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Florida in January?
No - start seeds indoors runs Jan 8 – Jan 22 in Florida, so do it before January 22.
When is the first frost in Florida?
The statewide average first fall frost is around December 10 and the last spring frost around February 12. Florida covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in January in Florida?
Ground Cherry (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Lemon Balm (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Shiso (Perilla) (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Sweet Marjoram (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Tomatillo (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Tomato (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Broccoli (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Brussels Sprouts (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Cabbage (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Cauliflower (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Kale (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Basil (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Collard Greens (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Endive & Escarole (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Kohlrabi (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Malabar Spinach (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Okra (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Radicchio (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Summer Savory (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Bitter Melon (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Cucamelon (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Fennel (Bulb) (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Lettuce (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Napa Cabbage (Jan 8 – Jan 22), New Zealand Spinach (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Peanut (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Swiss Chard (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Watercress (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (Jan 15 – Jan 29), Cucumber (Jan 15 – Jan 29), Pumpkin (Jan 15 – Jan 29), Sunflower (Jan 15 – Jan 29), Watermelon (Jan 15 – Jan 29), Winter Squash (Jan 15 – Jan 29), Zucchini / Summer Squash (Jan 15 – Jan 29).
What to plant in January in other states
Dates are computed from Florida’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.