If you live in the mild winter areas of zones 7b, 8, and 9a, these January recommendations are for you! These zones typically experience a few days where freezing temperatures occur, but are largely warm enough to grow cool-season crops. We recommend utilizing season-extending tools like hoop houses, row covers, cold frames, and winter grow tents to protect from the occasional January frost.

Outdoors (veg & herbs): Spinach, corn salad, arugula, lettuce, Asian greens, mustard, kale, collard, swiss chard, radish, turnip, kohlrabi, bunching onion, cilantro, dill, parsley, peas.

Cover crops: Winter rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas. Rye + vetch is a reliable mix.

Flowers for cuts: Sweet peas, calendula, poppies, bachelor’s button—best with a low tunnel in colder pockets.

Indoors

Sprouts, Microgreens, and Herbs: Microgreens and sprouts are great for gathering a harvest in a matter of days. Plus, they are incredibly nutrient-dense. Start hardy herbs and greens for plug-sized transplants to set out during mild spells.

Starts to begin now (under lights): Vegetables and herbs including bulbing onions (short and intermediate-day), leeks, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, celery, parsley, thyme, oregano, sage, chives, artichoke, and fennel.  Flowers to start now include marigolds, stock, snapdragon, calendula, and zinnias.

Tip: A simple low tunnel or cold frame can add 5–10°F of protection and keep soil active for steady winter harvests.