Questions on Growing Vegetables in January

Serious gardeners and many avid hobbyists who want to extend the season think of growing vegetables in January. Starting vegetables so early is possible if you know how and what precautions to take.

Best Vegetables to Start

January is a good month to start cool-season vegetables. Beets, cabbages, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers can be started using indoor flats.

Can I Grow Outdoors?

Plant carrots, radish, greens and peas in the ground if you live in hardiness zones 9 or 10. Set up greenhouses for cooler areas to extend growing seasons.

What About Frost?

Allow the final hard frost to pass before planting outdoors. This will occur mainly in far southern and coastal areas in states such as Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, southern California and Florida.

Can I Grow Indoors?

Start seeds in flats set up in rooms with a southern facing window to gain the most direct sunlight. Transplant the sprouts to the garden when the threat of hard frost has passed.

References

• Harvest to Table: Seeds-Starting Vegetables in January
• Alabama Cooperative Extension; Alabama Gardener's Calendar; Dave Williams
• Clemson University; Planning a Garden; Bob Polomski; January 2005
• Colorado State University; Growing Vegetables in a Hobby Greenhouse; David Whiting, Carol O'Meara and Carl Wilson; June 2010