GreenlyWhat to plant in January in Texas
Worked out for 10 cities from their own weather and frost dates, by zone.
What to sow and plant in January in Texas, by zone: frost possible, highs of 61–72 °F (Houston, Austin and 3 more): broad bean, peas, onion, lettuce, radish and 22 more; frost possible, highs of 50–61 °F (Dallas, Fort Worth and 3 more): broad bean, peas, onion, spinach, lettuce and 27 more.
In Texas, January is winter.
Frost possible, highs of 61–72 °F: Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and 1 more
In January, on average, these cities have highs of 61 to 71 °F and lows of 43 to 56 °F, 1.9 to 5.8 in of rain on 7 to 12 days; the day lasts 10 h 24 min to 10 h 41 min (on the 15th).
January falls in the frost season: frost-tender crops wait. Average last frost: Corpus Christi (January 27) and Brownsville (January 19).
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| sow direct | Broad bean, radish, cabbage, chickpea | Houston, Austin, San Antonio and 1 more |
| sow direct | Peas, lettuce, Swiss chard, beet, parsley, cilantro, arugula, chamomile, dill, kohlrabi, mustard greens | all |
| plant sets | Onion, shallot | Houston, Austin, San Antonio and 1 more |
| sow direct | Spinach | Houston and Austin |
| sow direct | Carrot, broccoli, kale, parsnip | Houston |
| start indoors, plant out in February | Cauliflower | Houston |
| start indoors, plant out in March | Tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepper, Florence fennel, moringa | all |
| start indoors, plant out in February | Zucchini, cucumber, melon, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, basil, achocha, bok choy, kiwano, luffa, Napa cabbage, okra, peanut | Corpus Christi and Brownsville |
| start indoors, plant out in April | Celeriac, celery, chayote | all |
| sow direct | Daikon | Houston, Austin and San Antonio |
Compared with December: new — zucchini, cucumber, melon, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, basil, achocha and 6 more; no longer sown — Brussels sprouts.
Not starting in January: green beans (March, sown direct) — dates for San Antonio.
Ready to harvest in January in San Antonio, if sown in the right month: peas (November), lettuce (November), radish (December), carrot (November), Swiss chard (November), beet (November), pumpkin (September) and parsley (November).
Frost possible, highs of 50–61 °F: Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso, Lubbock and 1 more
In January, on average, these cities have highs of 51 to 59 °F and lows of 29 to 39 °F, 0.4 to 3.0 in of rain on 3 to 8 days; the day lasts 10 h 02 min to 10 h 18 min (on the 15th).
January falls in the frost season: frost-tender crops wait.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| sow direct or start indoors, plant out in February | Broad bean, spinach, lettuce, Swiss chard, beet, arugula, chamomile, kale | all |
| sow direct | Peas, radish | all |
| plant sets | Onion, shallot | Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso and 1 more |
| sow direct | Carrot, broccoli, dill, mustard greens | Dallas, Fort Worth and El Paso |
| sow direct | Cabbage, daikon, parsnip | Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso and 1 more |
| start indoors, plant out in February | Cauliflower | Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock and 1 more |
| start indoors, plant out in March | Tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepper, Florence fennel, moringa | Dallas, Fort Worth and El Paso |
| start indoors, plant out in March | Parsley | Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock and 1 more |
| start indoors, plant out in February | Kohlrabi | all |
| start indoors, plant out in April | Celeriac, celery, chayote | Dallas, Fort Worth and Lubbock |
| sow direct | Turnip | Dallas, Fort Worth and Lubbock |
Compared with December: new — tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepper, Florence fennel and moringa; no longer sown — garlic, cilantro, Brussels sprouts, crocus, daffodil, hyacinth and tulip.
Not starting in January: zucchini (February, started indoors) and green beans (March, sown direct) — dates for Dallas.
Ready to harvest in January in Dallas, if sown in the right month: peas (November), spinach (November), lettuce (November), radish (December), carrot (November), Swiss chard (November), beet (November) and pumpkin (September).
How we work it out
For each city we use its average weather in January and the months after (highs, lows and rain for 2016–2025, ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo) and its average frost dates. A crop starts in January if the month's mean temperature reaches the minimum soil temperature for germination on its card (we use the mean air temperature as a stand-in for the soil's) and if, over its first months (up to three), the average highs stay within its group's range, with no frost for crops that cannot take it. Crops started indoors count from the month they are planted out.
Temperature groups from Colorado State University Extension: cool-season crops prefer 60–80 °F and lose quality in heat; hardy ones grow in days as cool as 40 °F, semi-hardy ones from 40–50 °F (we use 50 °F); warm-season crops need days above 55 °F, and the most tender (tomato, pepper, eggplant, melon, watermelon, squash) above 60 °F, up to 95 °F. Crops the guide does not name go into the stricter group by their frost hardiness. Fava (broad) beans, which the guide does not name, count as hardy: hardy varieties are sown in fall and overwinter (RHS). Garlic and bulbs: a month before the first frost, and later only while the ground is not frozen (as on each city's page).
This is a general rule from averages: your garden can be a week or two earlier or later, and a greenhouse or a cold frame brings the season forward. Greenly works out the dates for your location.
- Moon planting calendar for January 2027
- What to plant in January: all climates
- Gardening in the United States: guide by region
