My Planting Calendar

What to plant in January in Washington

In Washington (WA), January sits about 14 weeks before the average last frost (April 20). The state averages 178 frost-free days a year (last frost April 20, first frost October 15; USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).

1 crop has a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Washington frost dates (last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Washington.

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

Washington covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.

Washington: planting activity through the year

1
24
70
86
58
11
24
33
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 20 – Oct 15
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 (86).

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 26 – Feb 9Opens Jan 26

Planting dates for popular crops in Washington

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

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

A planning month: January garden jobs in Washington

  1. Order seed while stock is good. Washington's average last frost is April 20, so the first indoor sowings begin around January 26 - 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 Washington

Washington spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days
Zone 9Feb 20Nov 30280 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Washington 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 Washington in January?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Washington the next tomato window opens around February 23: start seeds indoors.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Washington the next lettuce window opens around March 16: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Washington?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 15 and the last spring frost around April 20. Washington covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in January in Washington?

Celeriac (Jan 26 – Feb 9).

← December in WashingtonFebruary in Washington →Full-year Washington planting calendar →Washington frost dates →

What to plant in January in other states

OregonAlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaAll states →

Dates are computed from Washington’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.