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What to Plant in January (Especially in Zone 6!)

Kick off your 2025 garden the right way! Learn what to plant in January in Zone 6, plus indoor seed-starting tips, winter garden tasks, and our favorite early crops.

MONTHLY PLANTING GUIDESSEED STARTING & STORAGEORGANIC GARDENING TIPSBEGINNER GARDENING ADVICEHEIRLOOM & SPECIALTY SEEDS

Keith Kalm

1/1/20251 min read

A cozy, stylized digital illustration showing a gardener at a table planning their garden with seed
A cozy, stylized digital illustration showing a gardener at a table planning their garden with seed

January might seem like a sleepy time in the garden, but it’s the perfect moment to plan, prep, and even plant a few cold-hardy crops if you're in a protected environment. Whether you're dreaming up this year’s layout or already sowing indoors, January is the first spark of a successful growing season in Zone 6.

❄ Why January Counts

This is your foundation month. Use the downtime to plan your garden, take inventory of seeds, order early, and start crops like onions and leeks indoors. It's also a great time to build or repair raised beds, sharpen tools, and set your gardening intentions for the year.

🧅 What to Plant (Yes, You Can!)

1. Onions (from seed)

Start indoors under lights. They take a long time but reward you with early summer bulbs.

2. Leeks

Another long-season crop that needs a January head start indoors.

3. Herbs Indoors

Start basil, parsley, or thyme on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights.

4. Microgreens

The ultimate cold-month crop. Fast-growing and packed with nutrients.

5. Sprouts

Mason jar sprouting is easy, satisfying, and doesn't require soil or sun.

🧰 January Garden Tasks

  • Sketch your garden layout

  • Check your zone-specific frost dates

  • Order seeds early before varieties sell out

  • Clean and sharpen garden tools

  • Set up grow lights or a seed-starting station

đŸŒ± Start the Season Right

It’s never too early to think spring. Our Winter Planning Bundle includes a printable garden journal, crop rotation templates, and curated seed suggestions to kickstart your 2025 growing season.

Love and Vegetables: Helping you grow smarter, earlier, and with more joy all year long.