What to Plant in January — Zone 10

January is the pivot month in zone 10: the average last frost lands around Jan 25. Hardy crops go out all month; tender ones wait for the far side of that date.

Start seeds indoors — Counted back from the last frost so transplants are ready on time.

🌈 Swiss Chard	Dec 21 – Jan 4	50–60 days to maturity
🥒 Cucumbers	Dec 28 – Jan 4	50–70 days to maturity
🥒 Zucchini	Dec 28 – Jan 4	45–60 days to maturity
🎃 Winter Squash	Dec 28 – Jan 4	85–110 days to maturity
🎃 Pumpkins	Dec 28 – Jan 4	90–110 days to maturity
🍉 Watermelon	Dec 28 – Jan 4	75–95 days to maturity
🍈 Cantaloupe	Dec 28 – Jan 4	75–90 days to maturity
🌶️ Okra	Dec 28 – Jan 4	55–65 days to maturity
🌸 Zinnias	Dec 28 – Jan 4	60–70 days to maturity

Transplant outdoors — Set out sturdy transplants during these windows.

🥬 Lettuce	Dec 28 – Jan 11	45–60 days to maturity
🥬 Kale	Dec 28 – Jan 11	55–65 days to maturity
🌈 Swiss Chard	Jan 11 – Jan 25	50–60 days to maturity
🍃 Collard Greens	Dec 28 – Jan 11	60–75 days to maturity
🥬 Cabbage	Dec 28 – Jan 11	65–85 days to maturity
🥦 Broccoli	Jan 4 – Jan 18	60–75 days to maturity
🥦 Cauliflower	Jan 11 – Jan 25	60–80 days to maturity
🥬 Brussels Sprouts	Jan 25 – Feb 8	90–110 days to maturity
🧅 Leeks	Dec 28 – Jan 11	100–120 days to maturity
🥬 Celery	Jan 25 – Feb 8	100–120 days to maturity
🌿 Parsley	Jan 11 – Jan 25	70–90 days to maturity
🌱 Chives	Jan 11 – Jan 25	75–85 days to maturity
🌿 Thyme	Jan 25 – Feb 8	90–120 days to maturity
🌿 Oregano	Jan 25 – Feb 8	80–90 days to maturity

Direct sow — Seeds straight into garden soil.

🥬 Lettuce	Dec 28 – Jan 25	45–60 days to maturity
🥬 Kale	Dec 28 – Jan 11	55–65 days to maturity
🌿 Arugula	Dec 21 – Jan 4	30–40 days to maturity
🌈 Swiss Chard	Jan 11 – Jan 25	50–60 days to maturity
🍃 Collard Greens	Jan 11 – Jan 25	60–75 days to maturity
🥬 Kohlrabi	Dec 28 – Jan 11	45–60 days to maturity
🥕 Carrots	Jan 4 – Jan 25	60–75 days to maturity
🫒 Beets	Dec 28 – Jan 11	50–65 days to maturity
🌶️ Radishes	Dec 21 – Jan 4	22–30 days to maturity
🥔 Turnips	Dec 28 – Jan 11	40–55 days to maturity
🥕 Parsnips	Jan 4 – Jan 25	100–120 days to maturity
🧅 Onions	Dec 28 – Jan 11	90–110 days to maturity
🧅 Scallions	Dec 28 – Jan 11	60–70 days to maturity
🥔 Potatoes	Dec 28 – Jan 11	70–100 days to maturity
🥬 Bok Choy	Jan 4 – Jan 18	45–55 days to maturity
🌿 Mustard Greens	Dec 28 – Jan 11	35–45 days to maturity
🌿 Cilantro	Jan 4 – Jan 18	45–55 days to maturity
🌿 Parsley	Jan 11 – Jan 25	70–90 days to maturity
🌾 Dill	Jan 11 – Jan 25	40–55 days to maturity
🌱 Chives	Jan 11 – Jan 25	75–85 days to maturity

Windows use zone 10's typical frost dates (Jan 25 / Dec 20). For your own city's dates, run the frost lookup — the planting calendar then localizes everything automatically.

Frequently asked questions

What can I plant outside in January in zone 10?

28 crops can go in the ground: lettuce, kale, swiss chard, collard greens, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and 20 more. Exact windows are in the tables above — early and late in the month can differ by a full frost date.

What seeds should I start indoors in January in zone 10?

Swiss chard, cucumbers, zucchini, winter squash, pumpkins, watermelon, cantaloupe, okra, and 1 more — each is counted back from zone 10's average last frost around Jan 25, so transplants are ready exactly when the garden is.

Is January the right time for tomatoes in zone 10?

Not yet — zone 10 tomatoes start indoors roughly 8–6 weeks before the Jan 25 last frost and transplant just after it.