What to Plant in January — Zone 9

January ends about 3 weeks before zone 9's average last frost (Feb 20) — prime seed-starting territory.

Start seeds indoors — Counted back from the last frost so transplants are ready on time.

🥬 Lettuce	Jan 9 – Jan 23	45–60 days to maturity
🥬 Kale	Jan 9 – Jan 23	55–65 days to maturity
🌈 Swiss Chard	Jan 16 – Jan 30	50–60 days to maturity
🍃 Collard Greens	Jan 9 – Jan 23	60–75 days to maturity
🥬 Cabbage	Dec 26 – Jan 9	65–85 days to maturity
🥦 Broccoli	Jan 2 – Jan 16	60–75 days to maturity
🥦 Cauliflower	Jan 2 – Jan 16	60–80 days to maturity
🥬 Brussels Sprouts	Jan 9 – Jan 23	90–110 days to maturity
🍅 Tomatoes	Dec 26 – Jan 9	60–85 days to maturity
🍏 Tomatillos	Dec 26 – Jan 9	70–80 days to maturity
🥒 Cucumbers	Jan 23 – Jan 30	50–70 days to maturity
🥒 Zucchini	Jan 23 – Jan 30	45–60 days to maturity
🎃 Winter Squash	Jan 23 – Jan 30	85–110 days to maturity
🎃 Pumpkins	Jan 23 – Jan 30	90–110 days to maturity
🍉 Watermelon	Jan 23 – Jan 30	75–95 days to maturity
🍈 Cantaloupe	Jan 23 – Jan 30	75–90 days to maturity
🌶️ Okra	Jan 23 – Jan 30	55–65 days to maturity
🌿 Basil	Jan 9 – Jan 23	30–60 days to maturity
🌱 Chives	Dec 26 – Jan 9	75–85 days to maturity
🌿 Oregano	Dec 26 – Jan 9	80–90 days to maturity
🌸 Zinnias	Jan 23 – Jan 30	60–70 days to maturity
🏵️ Marigolds	Jan 9 – Jan 23	50–60 days to maturity

Transplant outdoors — Set out sturdy transplants during these windows.

🥬 Lettuce	Jan 23 – Feb 6	45–60 days to maturity
🥬 Kale	Jan 23 – Feb 6	55–65 days to maturity
🍃 Collard Greens	Jan 23 – Feb 6	60–75 days to maturity
🥬 Cabbage	Jan 23 – Feb 6	65–85 days to maturity
🥦 Broccoli	Jan 30 – Feb 13	60–75 days to maturity
🧅 Onions	Jan 9 – Jan 23	90–110 days to maturity
🧅 Leeks	Jan 23 – Feb 6	100–120 days to maturity

Direct sow — Seeds straight into garden soil.

🫛 Peas	Jan 9 – Jan 23	55–70 days to maturity
🥬 Lettuce	Jan 23 – Feb 20	45–60 days to maturity
🍃 Spinach	Jan 9 – Jan 23	40–50 days to maturity
🥬 Kale	Jan 23 – Feb 6	55–65 days to maturity
🌿 Arugula	Jan 16 – Jan 30	30–40 days to maturity
🥬 Kohlrabi	Jan 23 – Feb 6	45–60 days to maturity
🥕 Carrots	Jan 30 – Feb 20	60–75 days to maturity
🫒 Beets	Jan 23 – Feb 6	50–65 days to maturity
🌶️ Radishes	Jan 16 – Jan 30	22–30 days to maturity
🥔 Turnips	Jan 23 – Feb 6	40–55 days to maturity
🥕 Parsnips	Jan 30 – Feb 20	100–120 days to maturity
🧅 Onions	Jan 23 – Feb 6	90–110 days to maturity
🧅 Scallions	Jan 23 – Feb 6	60–70 days to maturity
🥔 Potatoes	Jan 23 – Feb 6	70–100 days to maturity
🥬 Bok Choy	Jan 30 – Feb 13	45–55 days to maturity
🌿 Mustard Greens	Jan 23 – Feb 6	35–45 days to maturity
🌿 Cilantro	Jan 30 – Feb 13	45–55 days to maturity

Windows use zone 9's typical frost dates (Feb 20 / Dec 1). For your own city's dates, run the frost lookup — the planting calendar then localizes everything automatically.

Frequently asked questions

What can I plant outside in January in zone 9?

21 crops can go in the ground: lettuce, kale, collard greens, cabbage, broccoli, onions, leeks, peas, and 13 more. Exact windows are in the tables above — early and late in the month can differ by a full frost date.

What seeds should I start indoors in January in zone 9?

Lettuce, kale, swiss chard, collard greens, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and 14 more — each is counted back from zone 9's average last frost around Feb 20, so transplants are ready exactly when the garden is.

Is January the right time for tomatoes in zone 9?

For seed-starting, yes: sow indoors Dec 26 – Jan 9. Transplanting waits until after the Feb 20 average last frost.