Zone 8 - What to Plant in January

Zone 8 - What to Plant in January

January is the time to start your garden in zone 8. To be ready for the last frost you should start all transplants inside in January so you're ready to go. January is your first window to start your indoor sowings and order your seeds for the spring season. The next two months are the most important for starting your vegetables on time. Start your tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables to be ready for spring transplant!

The Garden Mesclun Blend is a mixture of light green to emerald, and bronze to deep red lettuces as well as endive and radicchio for a crunchy, zesty flavor that is a perfect addition to any salad!

Lolla Rossa lettuce is a beautiful Italian heirloom variety originating from the Lolla region near Bergamo, known for its striking deep-red, frilly leaves and crisp texture. Typically forming compact, loose-leaf rosettes about 6 to 8 inches across, it adds vibrant color and visual appeal to salads and garden beds alike. The leaves are tender yet slightly crunchy, offering a mild, slightly bitter flavor with a subtle nutty finish. Lolla Rossa thrives in cool weather and prefers full sun with well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. It grows best in temperatures between 45–70°F and benefits from consistent moisture, making it ideal for spring and fall planting.

The Heirloom Blend is a collection of 8 distinctively different heirloom tomato varieties! If you like the fresh taste of heirloom tomatoes, then try this beautiful rainbow blend of tomatoes. We have hand selected our 8 favorite heirlooms and blended them together to create a wonderful assortment of mouth-watering, colorful, and multiple use tomatoes. The Heirloom Blend includes Marglobe Supreme, Black Krim, Rutger, Pink Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Golden Jubilee, Sweetie Cherry and Roma.

Michihili cabbage is great for those who love stir-fry or pickling cabbage. A tight-head type with well blanched, crisp and tender interior. Michihili produces a cylindrical, leafy head. A high yielding cabbage with excellent flavor. Chinese cabbage nutrients include vitamins A and C.

Fragaria vesca var. semperflorens ‘Improved Rügen’ is a refined strain of the classic Alpine strawberry, originally developed in Europe and prized for its reliability and extended production season. Unlike typical woodland strawberries that fruit once, ‘Improved Rügen’ is everbearing, producing a steady crop of small, conical red berries from late spring through fall. The fruit is exceptionally fragrant and sweet, with an intense wild-strawberry flavor that is richer and more complex than commercial varieties. Plants stay compact and runner-less, forming neat clumps covered in white blooms and abundant berries, making them ideal for borders, containers, and gourmet gardens where taste and ornamental appeal matter. Other names include Alpine Strawberry, Fraise du Bois, Baron Solemacher Strain

The Islander Pepper is known as the chameleon as it is beautiful pepper to watch its colorful display! This color-crazy pepper starts out as a violet hue, then turns to a yellow/orange and then finally deep red! This variety can be picked at any of these stages to provide awesome color to salads and meals. The Islander is a thick-fleshed, medium-sized bell pepper with 3-lobes that have a mild, slightly sweet taste. This colorful pepper also has a resistance to tobacco mosaic virus.

The Galaxy of Stars Eggplant is a breathtaking purple and white variety with a delicious flavor that is out of this world! This plump eggplant variety's unique striations will remind you of a galaxy full of stars. This plant produces fruits that are 3-4 inches long and are topped with a green calyx.

Rudolf Radish produces smooth, cherry-red, perfectly round roots with a crisp bite and classic, bold radish flavor. This vigorous, high-yielding variety is one of the easiest to grow and performs reliably in both spring and fall plantings. Roots size up quickly and uniformly, making them ideal for early harvest as cute mini radishes—or left to mature for full size without sacrificing texture or taste. A dependable choice for consistent shape, color, and crunch.

Chioggia beets, also known as Candy Cane or Bull's Eye beets, are a unique and visually striking variety of beets that originated in Italy. Their history dates back to the early 19th century when they were first cultivated in the coastal town of Chioggia, near Venice. These beets are renowned for their vibrant and eye-catching appearance, characterized by concentric rings of alternating red and white colors, reminiscent of a candy cane. This distinct coloration makes them a popular choice among gardeners and chefs for their ornamental and culinary appeal. In terms of taste, Chioggia beets offer a mild and slightly sweet flavor, making them a versatile ingredient in various dishes. They can be enjoyed raw in salads, pickled, roasted, or boiled, and their taste becomes sweeter when cooked. Typically, Chioggia beets are round to slightly flattened in shape, with a diameter of 2 to 3 inches. They are known for their relatively quick maturity, taking around 50 to 60 days to reach full size. Their unique coloration is retained even after cooking, making them a visually stunning addition to any meal. When it comes to growing Chioggia beets, they thrive in well-drained soil with a neutral pH and require full sun for optimal growth. Proper spacing is essential to allow room for their roots to develop, typically requiring 3 to 4 inches between each plant and rows spaced about 12 to 18 inches apart. Chioggia beets are relatively disease-resistant, with a natural ability to withstand some common beet diseases, but it's still essential to monitor them for any signs of issues. With proper care, Chioggia beets can yield a bountiful crop, and their unique appearance and delightful taste make them a favorite among gardeners and culinary enthusiasts alike.

The Tabasco Pepper is a very hot pepper that is most known for its fantastic spicy flavor in hot sauces! This pepper variety turns green to red when mature and grows to a size of .5" x 1.5." Tabasco reaches 30,000+ Scovilles!

The French Breakfast Radish has a delicate flavor and is an excellent variety for home gardens. This radish variety is an attractive uniquely shaped radish with elongated roots and red tops with white tips. The French Breakfast has an excellent flavor and texture, that is perfect for dips or as a garnish.

The Trip-L-Crop Tomato is an extremely long and productive heirloom tomato plant variety that thrives in a greenhouse setting! This tomato produces huge yields on a 15 foot vine that needs a trellising. The large 1-2 lb. tomatoes are red, meaty and great for canning.

The Santa Fe Lettuce produces a small blanched head that is surrounded by green outer leaves with a tinged bronze-red tip. This variety is a favorite for being extra crunchy!

The Green Globe is America's most popular artichoke! Large flower buds, harvest when plump, ornamental with bold blue 6" flowers. Artichokes are a very tender plant. With thick, fleshy scales and solid center, the flower heads should be harvested when they're young. Native to the Mediterranean, globe artichokes have been grown in the US since Colonial times. Provided with a protective cover, the artichokes will successfully overwinter in colder areas.

The Patio Tomato is a hybrid tomato that produces delicious, approximately 4 oz. fruits with attractive dark green rugose foliage. The easy to grow Patio Tomato thrives in pots, patio containers and small gardens, truly good things can grow in small spaces! Also does great as a hanging tomato plant.

The Jet Star Tomato is a long time favorite and industry standard hybrid tomato with a high sugar content that masks acidity. These meaty, globe-shaped tomatoes can grow to be about 6 to 8 ounces and produces in abundance in mid-to-late summer.

The Fiesta Blend is a five color radish blend of red, pink, yellow, white and purple! This colorful blend will be sure to a pop of fun color to any garden. Serving up the Fiesta Blend in salads or dishes is a great addition to any party or gathering!

Federle tomatoes, also known as Federle's Italian Paste, are a unique and heirloom variety of tomato renowned for their distinctive characteristics and rich history. These tomatoes typically exhibit a medium-sized, elongated shape, resembling a classic Roma tomato. Their size can range from 3 to 5 inches in length, making them ideal for canning, sauces, and paste production. Federle tomatoes thrive in specific growing conditions. They require full sun exposure and well-drained, fertile soil to flourish. These tomatoes are known for their resilience and adaptability, making them suitable for various climates and regions. They are often treasured by gardeners for their consistent performance and robust growth, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners and small-scale farmers. The history of Federle tomatoes dates back to Italy, where they have been cultivated for generations. These tomatoes were brought to the United States by Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since then, they have become a cherished heirloom variety, cherished for their exceptional flavor and versatility in the kitchen. Federle tomatoes are a testament to the enduring legacy of traditional tomato cultivation and continue to be a favorite among those who appreciate the rich heritage and exceptional taste of heirloom vegetables.