What to Plant in January for Your Kitchen Garden
Growing while it’s freezing and dark outside? Yes, you can! Now is the time to start your cool season seeds indoors. It doesn’t have to be big. Even just one tray under a grow light can kick off the growth of your garden this year.
Resources for Starting Seeds Indoors
If starting seeds indoors is something you’d like to try this year, I’ve put together a series of resources to guide you.
Seed Starting Checklist
Seed starting happens in three phases: prepare, plant, and tend. At the end, you harden the seedlings off and transplant directly into the garden. Here is a checklist divided into the three phases:
Prepare to Start Seeds Indoors
Make a garden plan.
Order seeds and supplies.
Sterilize any supplies that you are reusing.
Plant Your Seeds
Dampen and mix your seed starting blend.
Fill seed cells with soil or create soil blocks.
Add your seeds.
Sprinkle a little more soil on top.
Tend Your New Seedlings
Provide sunlight, airflow, and regular water.
Harden off seedlings by placing them outside during the warmest part of the day.
Transplant into the garden.
Provide frost cloth if needed.
The Best Seeds to Start Indoors in January
In the DMV area, we want to start these seeds indoors because they take roughly two months or more to go from seed to harvest. By starting these seeds indoors in January, we can transplant seedlings into the garden in February, and will have harvests by March!
Leafy greens: Collards, green onion, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, pak choi
Slow-growing and large: Broccoli, broccoli rabe, cabbage, cauliflower
Herbs: Chamomile, cilantro, dill, oregano, parsley,
Flowers: Borage, calendula, marigold
Need help planning your 2025 garden?
Is it your goal to grow an abundant garden, eat great food, get outside, or focus on your health this year? A solid garden plan can help you accomplish ALL of these things. And I can help you make one!
For a limited time, I’m offering a planning and coaching package—including a 90 minute virtual planning session, a follow up resource list, and an in-person coaching visit—that will get you and your garden off on the right foot this year.
