What to plant in January — zone 10b
Zone 10b averages its last spring frost around January 15 and its first fall frost around December 30. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Transplant out
- Lettucearound Jan 1
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Onionaround Jan 1
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Strawberryaround Jan 1
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Parsleyaround Jan 1
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Mintaround Jan 1
Goes out 2 weeks before last frost — it takes the cold.
- Tomatoaround Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Bury 2/3 of the transplant stem — roots form along the buried stem for a stronger plant.
- Pepperaround Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch first flowers on transplants so the plant invests in roots before setting fruit.
- Cucumberaround Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Trellis vertically to double yield in the same footprint and cut mildew.
- Zucchiniaround Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. One plant feeds a family. Pick at 6-8 in for the sweetest fruit.
- Basilaround Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.
- Winter squasharound Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Cure 10 days in a warm dry spot after harvest — the skin toughens and storage doubles.
- Basilaround Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.
- Oreganoaround Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.
- Thymearound Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Needs sharp drainage — plant in gravelly soil or a raised bed edge. Never wet feet.
- Rosemaryaround Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. In zone 6 and below, grow in a pot and overwinter indoors near a south window.
- Sagearound Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Prune hard in spring to prevent woody stems and keep the plant productive for 5+ years.
- Figaround Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. In zone 6, grow in a pot and drag into a garage for winter. 'Chicago Hardy' takes zone 5 with mulch.
- Watermelonaround Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe = tendril nearest the fruit is brown and the ground spot has turned buttery yellow.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround Jan 29
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe fruit slips off the vine with a gentle tug — the smell alone tells you.
Direct sow
- Potatoaround Jan 1
Soil is ready -2 weeks before last frost.
- Cilantroaround Jan 1
Soil is ready -2 weeks before last frost.
- Parsleyaround Jan 1
Soil is ready -2 weeks before last frost.
- Dillaround Jan 15
Soil is ready 0 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround Jan 22
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Cucumberaround Jan 22
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Zucchiniaround Jan 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Jan 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Sweet cornaround Jan 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Winter squasharound Jan 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Jan 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Watermelonaround Jan 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround Jan 29
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround Jan 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of bush bean.
- Cucumberaround Jan 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of cucumber.
- Zucchiniaround Jan 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of zucchini.
- Sweet cornaround Jan 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of sweet corn.
- Basilaround Jan 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of basil.
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