My Planting Calendar

What to plant in January in Kentucky

In Kentucky (KY), January sits about 13 weeks before the average last frost (April 18). The state averages 185 frost-free days a year (last frost April 18, first frost October 20; USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a).

5 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Kentucky frost dates (last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, tomato or lettuce in Kentucky.

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

Kentucky: planting activity through the year

5
29
65
86
58
10
18
35
19
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 18 – Oct 20
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 (86).

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 24 – Feb 7Opens Jan 24
CeleryStart seeds indoorsJan 31 – Feb 14Opens Jan 31
LeekStart seeds indoorsJan 31 – Feb 14Opens Jan 31
OnionStart seeds indoorsJan 31 – Feb 14Opens Jan 31
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsJan 31 – Feb 14Opens Jan 31

Planting dates for popular crops in Kentucky

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

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

A planning month: January garden jobs in Kentucky

  1. Order seed while stock is good. Kentucky's average last frost is April 18, so the first indoor sowings begin around January 24 - 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 Kentucky

Kentucky spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Kentucky 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 Kentucky in January?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Kentucky the next tomato window opens around February 21: start seeds indoors.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Kentucky the next lettuce window opens around March 14: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Kentucky?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 18. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in January in Kentucky?

Celeriac (Jan 24 – Feb 7), Celery (Jan 31 – Feb 14), Leek (Jan 31 – Feb 14), Onion (Jan 31 – Feb 14), Rosemary (Jan 31 – Feb 14).

← December in KentuckyFebruary in Kentucky →Full-year Kentucky planting calendar →Kentucky frost dates →

What to plant in January in other states

GeorgiaNorth CarolinaSouth CarolinaTennesseeAlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaAll states →

Dates are computed from Kentucky’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.