What to plant in January — zone 11b
Zone 11b averages its last spring frost around January 1 and its first fall frost around December 31. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Direct sow
- Dillaround Jan 1
Soil is ready 0 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround Jan 8
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Cucumberaround Jan 8
Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.
- Zucchiniaround Jan 15
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Jan 15
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Sweet cornaround Jan 15
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Winter squasharound Jan 15
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Basilaround Jan 15
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Watermelonaround Jan 15
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Cantaloupe / Melonaround Jan 15
Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.
- Bush beanaround Jan 15
Warm soil — first summer sowing of bush bean.
- Cucumberaround Jan 15
Warm soil — first summer sowing of cucumber.
- Zucchiniaround Jan 15
Warm soil — first summer sowing of zucchini.
- Sweet cornaround Jan 15
Warm soil — first summer sowing of sweet corn.
- Basilaround Jan 15
Warm soil — first summer sowing of basil.
- Winter squasharound Jan 22
Warm soil — first summer sowing of winter squash.
- Beetaround Jan 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of beet.
- Carrotaround Jan 29
Warm soil — first summer sowing of carrot.
Transplant out
- Tomatoaround Jan 15
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 15
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 15
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Trellis vertically to double yield in the same footprint and cut mildew.
- Zucchiniaround Jan 15
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 15
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.
- Winter squasharound Jan 15
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 15
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.
- Oreganoaround Jan 15
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.
- Thymearound Jan 15
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 15
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 15
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 15
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 15
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 15
Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe fruit slips off the vine with a gentle tug — the smell alone tells you.
Garden care
- Mulch every bedaround Jan 22
3-4 in of straw or leaves now holds water, blocks weeds, and cools roots for the whole summer.
- Set up deep wateringaround Jan 29
Switch to fewer, longer soaks (1-1.5 in/week at the root) instead of daily sprinkles.
Succession sow
- Bush beanaround Jan 29
Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Sweet cornaround Jan 29
Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
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