If you live in the cold winter, frost-prone zones of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7a, these seeds are for you! While January is typically filled with freezing temperatures and the occasional blanket of snow, you can still plant these recommended seeds indoors for both quick harvesting and a head start on the approaching garden season. Microclimates matter—coastal/urban spots run warmer; high elevation runs colder. 7b pockets can follow “Mild Winter” recommendations with protection.

Outdoors: Still too cold for tender annual veg/flowers. Mulch esposed beds for spring.

Dormant Sowing: This is the technique of broadcasting when the soil is cold (below 50F), but not frozen. Gently press the seeds into the soil for good contact. Then water if feasible. The seed overwinters and sprouts naturally in the spring. We recommend dormant sowing wildflower mixes, poppies, larkspur, bachelor's buttons, calendula, rudbeckia, and columbine.

Indoors (For fresh harvesting)

Microgreens: Sunflower, pea, radish, spicy brassica blends—most ready to cut in 7–14 days.

Sprouts: Alfalfa, mung, clover, broccoli—ready in 3–7 days.

Starts to begin now under lights for transplant in early spring: Bulbing onion (intermediate-day or long-day)

Herbs & greens under lights: Cut-and-come-again lettuce, baby kale, arugula, basil (warm room).

Houseplants from seed (fun winter projects): coleus, polka dot plant - if you are feeling courageous, consider begonias or impatiens.

Starts to plant soon: perennial herbs; plan seed-starting calendars for onions (January), early brassicas (late winter), and warm crops (early spring).

Tip: Prioritize sanitation, airflow, and fresh seed-starting mix for indoor setups; run lights 14–16 hours/day for compact growth.