My Planting Calendar

What to plant in January in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma (OK), January sits about 11 weeks before the average last frost (April 1). The state averages 214 frost-free days a year (last frost April 1, first frost November 1; USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).

18 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Oklahoma frost dates (last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 1). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in Oklahoma.

A planning monthSow or plant: 18Start indoors: 18Harvesting: 0

Oklahoma: planting activity through the year

18
53
70
78
27
9
15
31
21
1
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 1 – Nov 1
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 18 have one in January; the busiest month is April (78).

Start seeds indoors in January (18)

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 7 – Jan 21Jan 7 – Jan 21
CeleryStart seeds indoorsJan 14 – Jan 28Jan 14 – Jan 28
LeekStart seeds indoorsJan 14 – Jan 28Jan 14 – Jan 28
OnionStart seeds indoorsJan 14 – Jan 28Jan 14 – Jan 28
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsJan 14 – Jan 28Jan 14 – Jan 28
EggplantStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
ShallotStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Opens Jan 21
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
GingerStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
MintStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
OreganoStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
SageStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
TarragonStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
ThymeStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28
TurmericStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Opens Jan 28

Planting dates for popular crops in Oklahoma

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

When to plant onion in Oklahoma →When to plant eggplant in Oklahoma →When to plant bell pepper in Oklahoma →When to plant chili pepper in Oklahoma →When to plant tomato in Oklahoma →When to plant lettuce in Oklahoma →When to plant garlic in Oklahoma →When to plant carrot in Oklahoma →Oklahoma frost dates by zone →

A planning month: January garden jobs in Oklahoma

  1. Order seed while stock is good. Oklahoma's average last frost is April 1, so the first indoor sowings begin around January 7 - 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 Oklahoma

Oklahoma spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Oklahoma in January?

18 crops have a window in January: celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley, shallot, bell pepper, chili pepper and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Oklahoma the next tomato window opens around February 4: start seeds indoors.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Oklahoma the next lettuce window opens around February 25: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Oklahoma?

The statewide average first fall frost is around November 1 and the last spring frost around April 1. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in January in Oklahoma?

Celeriac (Jan 7 – Jan 21), Celery (Jan 14 – Jan 28), Leek (Jan 14 – Jan 28), Onion (Jan 14 – Jan 28), Rosemary (Jan 14 – Jan 28), Eggplant (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Parsley (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Shallot (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Bell Pepper (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Chili Pepper (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Ginger (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Green Onion / Scallion (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Mint (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Oregano (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Sage (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Tarragon (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Thyme (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Turmeric (Jan 28 – Feb 11).

February in Oklahoma →Full-year Oklahoma planting calendar →Oklahoma frost dates →

What to plant in January in other states

KansasAlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaAll states →

Dates are computed from Oklahoma’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.