My Planting Calendar

What to plant in January in Indiana

In Indiana (IN), January sits about 14 weeks before the average last frost (April 24). The state averages 170 frost-free days a year (last frost April 24, first frost October 11; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b).

1 crop has a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Indiana frost dates (last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 11). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Indiana.

A planning monthSow or plant: 1Start indoors: 1Harvesting: 0

Indiana: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
11
25
32
3
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 24 – Oct 11
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 1 have one in January; the busiest month is April (78).

Start seeds indoors in January (1)

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 30 – Feb 13Opens Jan 30

Planting dates for popular crops in Indiana

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

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

A planning month: January garden jobs in Indiana

  1. Order seed while stock is good. Indiana's average last frost is April 24, so the first indoor sowings begin around January 30 - 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.

USDA zone chart for Indiana

Indiana spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b. 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 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Indiana in January?

1 crops have a window in January: celeriac. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Indiana the next tomato window opens around February 27: start seeds indoors.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Indiana the next lettuce window opens around March 20: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Indiana?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 11 and the last spring frost around April 24. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in January in Indiana?

Celeriac (Jan 30 – Feb 13).

← December in IndianaFebruary in Indiana →Full-year Indiana planting calendar →Indiana frost dates →

What to plant in January in other states

IllinoisIowaMissouriOhioAlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaAll states →

Dates are computed from Indiana’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.