01/07/2026
January always feels too early to start seeds.
The ground is frozen. The days are short. The garden feels far away.
But here’s the truth most new gardeners don’t realize 👇
Some things need time you can’t make up later.
Slow-growing plants, onions, leeks, celery, peppers, parsley, artichokes, don’t care that spring “feels” far off. They care about days to maturity. If a plant needs 120–180 days to grow and your outdoor season only gives you so much frost-free time, waiting until spring already puts you behind.
Starting seeds in January isn’t about being impatient.
It’s about working with biology instead of fighting it.
🌱 Early starts allow:
• deeper root systems
• stronger stems
• more leaf growth before stress hits
• bigger harvests and better quality
No amount of fertilizer can replace lost time.
If a plant misses its ideal growth window, it can’t catch up later.
There’s something deeply symbolic about this too.
Growth often starts when it still looks like winter.
Progress happens quietly, under lights, indoors, unseen, long before anything blooms.
So if you’re starting seeds this month, know this:
You’re not early.
You’re intentional.
And if life feels slow right now, remember, some of the most meaningful growth needs a longer runway too. 🌿✨
1. Onions (from seed)
Why start now:
• Bulb size depends on early leaf growth
• Late starts = small bulbs
• Early starts = bigger, better-storing onions
📝 Tip: Start 10–12 weeks before last frost. Trim tops to keep plants sturdy.
2. Leeks
Why start now:
• Extremely long growing season (120–150 days)
• Need time to thicken stems
• Late planting leads to thin, weak leeks
📝 Pro tip: Strong transplants = longer, whiter shanks.
3. Celery
Why start now:
• Very slow early growth
• Requires a long, steady development period
• Sensitive to temperature stress
📝 Key point: Late-started celery often turns bitter or stunted.
4. Artichokes
Why start now:
• Long time needed before bud formation
• Early starts can produce first-year harvests
• Better overwintering success
📝 Bonus: Early growth helps plants survive heat and cold better.
5. Parsley
Why start now:
• Germination can take 3–4 weeks
• Slow growth for months
• Late starts shorten harvest window
📝 Tip: Soak seeds overnight to speed germination slightly.
6. Peppers (Hot & Sweet)
Why start now:
• Long time from seed to fruit
• Require warmth to thrive
• Late starts = green peppers at frost
📝 Grower insight: Peppers should be started earlier than tomatoes.
7. Brassicas for Early Harvest
(Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower)
Why start now:
• Prefer cool weather for head formation
• Late planting pushes crops into heat stress
• Heat causes bolting or loose heads
📝 Best for: Spring or early-summer harvests.
🗓️ Simple January Seed-Starting Schedule
Weeks 1–2 of January
• Onions
• Leeks
• Celery
Weeks 3–4 of January
• Parsley
• Peppers
• Artichokes
• Early brassicas
(Adjust based on your last frost date.)
