While January may be the heart of winter in USDA Hardiness zones 5 through 7, it is not too early to start seeds indoors. The seeds you plant in January should be ready for transplanting outdoors in mid-March and early April.
You do not need a complicated setup to start seeds indoors. While many people use grow lights and heat mats if you have a warm, sunny spot in your house, that will work just fine. You will need something to plant the seeds in and a good seed-starting mix. Seed-starting mix differs from potting soil in that it does not contain soil. Most seed-starting mixes have an organic base of either peat moss or coconut coir and inorganic additives like perlite or vermiculite that help with drainage and keeping the growing medium loose so delicate new roots can move through easily.
12 Seeds to Start in January in Zones 5-7
Brassicas
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Kohlrabi
These are cool-weather vegetables that can be started indoors at the end of January and transplanted outdoors 4 weeks prior to the last frost. They are cold hardy and can withstand some frost and are some of the earliest vegetables you can put out in your garden.
Greens
- Tatsoi
- Swiss Chard
- Kale
- Collard Greens
- Spinach
Super-nutritious leafy greens can be started indoors in mid-January and then transplanted outdoors in mid-March. They can tolerate some mild frost.
Alliums
- Onions
- Leeks
You can sow onions and leeks in mid-January and transplant them outdoors six weeks before the last frost.
Herbs
- Parsley
- Chives
January is a good time to start parsley and chive seeds because they both grow slowly and may need 8 to 10 weeks of growth indoors before they will be large enough to be transplanted outdoors.
By starting seeds indoors, you can give your garden a head start and enjoy a harvest of nutritious food in early spring.