My Planting Calendar

What to plant in January in Ohio

In Ohio (OH), January sits about 14 weeks before the average last frost (April 25). The state averages 172 frost-free days a year (last frost April 25, first frost October 14; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b).

1 crop has a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Ohio frost dates (last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 14). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Ohio.

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

Ohio: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
11
24
34
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 25 – Oct 14
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 31 – Feb 14Opens Jan 31

Planting dates for popular crops in Ohio

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

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

A planning month: January garden jobs in Ohio

  1. Order seed while stock is good. Ohio's average last frost is April 25, so the first indoor sowings begin around January 31 - 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 Ohio

Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio in January?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Ohio the next tomato window opens around February 28: start seeds indoors.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Ohio the next lettuce window opens around March 21: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Ohio?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 14 and the last spring frost around April 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in January in Ohio?

Celeriac (Jan 31 – Feb 14).

← December in OhioFebruary in Ohio →Full-year Ohio planting calendar →Ohio frost dates →

What to plant in January in other states

IllinoisIndianaIowaMissouriAlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaAll states →

Dates are computed from Ohio’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.