Things you can start in the Garden in January 

Even in January, gardeners in Zones 8-9 can start seeds for a head start on the growing season. However, success often depends on providing the right environment with tools like a greenhouse, cold frame, or grow lights.

Vegetables to Start Indoors

1. Tomatoes

   • Varieties: Roma, Cherry, or Beefsteak.

   • Requirements: Heated greenhouse or grow lights to maintain temperatures of 18–24°C (65–75°F). Use seed trays and sterile compost.

2. Peppers (Sweet and Hot)

   • Varieties: Bell Peppers, Jalapeños, or Cayenne.

   • Requirements: Grow lights or a warm windowsill (temperature of 21–27°C / 70–80°F). They germinate slowly, so be patient.

3. Eggplants

   • Varieties: Black Beauty, Fairy Tale.

   • Requirements: Heated propagator or grow lights for warmth (21–26°C / 70–79°F).

4. Lettuce

   • Varieties: Winter Density, Arctic King.

   • Requirements: Cool, bright conditions (10–15°C / 50–59°F). A cold frame is excellent for these.

5. Spinach

   • Varieties: Giant Winter, Bloomsdale Longstanding.

   • Requirements: A cold frame or unheated greenhouse is sufficient.

6. Onions and Leeks

   • Varieties: Musselburgh (leek), Bedfordshire Champion (onion).

   • Requirements: Start in seed trays indoors or in an unheated greenhouse.

7. Brassicas (Cabbage, Kale, Cauliflower)

   • Varieties: January King (Cabbage), Nero di Toscana (Kale).

   • Requirements: Cool temperatures in a cold frame or greenhouse (7–15°C / 45–59°F).

8. Broad beans  

   •     Varieties: Aquadulce 

   • Requirements: Sow indoors on an unheated windowsill or out in a cold frame or cold greenhouse 

Tools You May Need

• Cold Frame: Ideal for hardier crops like spinach and lettuce. Keeps temperatures above freezing and protects seedlings from frost.

• Heated Propagator: Speeds up germination for heat-loving crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

• Grow Lights: Essential for seedlings grown indoors to prevent them from becoming leggy. Use full-spectrum LED grow lights for best results.

• Seed Trays and Compost: Use sterile seed-starting compost to reduce the risk of diseases like damping-off.

• Thermometer: Monitor soil and air temperatures, especially in unheated greenhouses or cold frames.

If you haven't got the time or the equipment to start growing in January don't worry there are lots of jobs you can do in the garden you can down load my FREE January Job List below