What to plant in January in Louisiana
In Louisiana (LA), January sits about 7 weeks before the average last frost (March 5). The state averages 255 frost-free days a year (last frost March 5, first frost November 15; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b).
56 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet - and 7 of those windows close during January.
Dates here come from Louisiana frost dates (last frost Mar 5, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or arugula in Louisiana.
Louisiana: planting activity through the year
Last chance in January
Celery (start seeds indoors, by Jan 1) · Leek (start seeds indoors, by Jan 1) · Onion (start seeds indoors, by Jan 1) · Rosemary (start seeds indoors, by Jan 1) · Eggplant (start seeds indoors, by Jan 8) · Parsley (start seeds indoors, by Jan 8) · Shallot (start seeds indoors, by Jan 8)
Sow or plant outdoors in January (13)
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 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 24 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Jan 29 – Feb 15 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 19 | Opens Jan 31 |
Start seeds indoors in January (47)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celery | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Last chance - ends Jan 1 |
| Leek | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Last chance - ends Jan 1 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Last chance - ends Jan 1 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Last chance - ends Jan 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Last chance - ends Jan 8 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Last chance - ends Jan 8 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Last chance - ends Jan 8 |
| Bell Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Chili Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Ginger | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Mint | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Tarragon | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Turmeric | Start seeds indoors | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Opens Jan 22 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 29 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 29 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Opens Jan 29 |
Planting dates for popular crops in Louisiana
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Louisiana: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: January garden jobs in Louisiana
- Start 47 crops indoors this month, including celery, leek, onion, rosemary. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 7 weeks until the average last frost (March 5). The seed-starting calculator works out each crop's exact sowing date from it.
- 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.
- 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 Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 Louisiana in January?
56 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 Louisiana in January?
No - start seeds indoors runs Jan 8 – Jan 22 in Louisiana, so do it before January 22.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Louisiana in January?
No - start seeds indoors runs Jan 29 – Feb 12 in Louisiana.
When is the first frost in Louisiana?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 5. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in January in Louisiana?
Celery (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Leek (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Onion (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Rosemary (Dec 18 – Jan 1), Eggplant (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Parsley (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Shallot (Dec 25 – Jan 8), Bell Pepper (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Chili Pepper (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Ginger (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Green Onion / Scallion (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Mint (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Oregano (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Sage (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Tarragon (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Thyme (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Turmeric (Jan 1 – Jan 15), Ground Cherry (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Lemon Balm (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Shiso (Perilla) (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Sweet Marjoram (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Tomatillo (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Tomato (Jan 8 – Jan 22), Broccoli (Jan 15 – Jan 29), Brussels Sprouts (Jan 15 – Jan 29), Cabbage (Jan 15 – Jan 29), Cauliflower (Jan 15 – Jan 29), Kale (Jan 15 – Jan 29), Basil (Jan 22 – Feb 5), Collard Greens (Jan 22 – Feb 5), Endive & Escarole (Jan 22 – Feb 5), Kohlrabi (Jan 22 – Feb 5), Malabar Spinach (Jan 22 – Feb 5), Okra (Jan 22 – Feb 5), Radicchio (Jan 22 – Feb 5), Summer Savory (Jan 22 – Feb 5), Bitter Melon (Jan 29 – Feb 12), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Jan 29 – Feb 12), Cucamelon (Jan 29 – Feb 12), Fennel (Bulb) (Jan 29 – Feb 12), Lettuce (Jan 29 – Feb 12), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Jan 29 – Feb 12), Napa Cabbage (Jan 29 – Feb 12), New Zealand Spinach (Jan 29 – Feb 12), Peanut (Jan 29 – Feb 12), Swiss Chard (Jan 29 – Feb 12), Watercress (Jan 29 – Feb 12).
What to plant in January in other states
Dates are computed from Louisiana’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.