What to Plant in January in Arizona (Low Desert Guide)
It’s a new year! Whether you have a garden or want to start gardening, I will show you what to plant in Arizona in January. I have a blog post like this for each month of the year. You can do this, I’ll help!
If you want to plant in January in the low desert of Arizona, we’re reaching the end of the window so that cool-season crops have enough time to grow and produce. But there are still plenty of things we can plant this month.
Tip: If you’re looking for the garden tasks to do this month, see the Arizona Garden in January blog post and printable checklist.
Key Takeaways
- In January, plant cool-season crops like kale, broccoli, and strawberries in Arizona’s low desert.
- It’s the last month for planting strawberries and the best time to plant deciduous fruit trees.
- Seed starting indoors for tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers needs to happen this month for timely planting later.
- Consider joining a gardening club to connect with fellow gardeners and share tips.
- Use resources like the Low Desert Garden Planner for a complete planting list and tracking your garden tasks.
Click on the title to jump to that section and learn more about what to plant during January:
- January YouTube Videos
- What to Plant in January in Arizona (Low Desert Quick List)
- What to Harvest in January in Arizona
- Should you plant now… or wait?
- What Vegetables to Plant in January in Arizona (Low Desert)
- Vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds to start indoors during January
- Flowers to plant in the low desert in January
- What Seeds to Start Indoors in January (Arizona)
- January Planting FAQ (Arizona Low Desert)
January YouTube Videos
This video provides a comprehensive guide to planting in January in the low desert of Arizona, focusing on cool-season crops, fruit trees, flowers, and herbs. I share tips for garden planning, including choosing the right plants for your climate and starting seeds indoors.
What to Plant in January in Arizona (Low Desert Quick List)
In January in the low desert of Arizona (Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson below ~3,500 ft), plant cool-season greens and roots (lettuce, spinach, kale, carrots, beets), set out brassica transplants (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower), and finish winter favorites like strawberries. It is also prime time for bare-root deciduous fruit trees. Start tomato, pepper, and eggplant seeds indoors now for spring planting.
What to Harvest in January in Arizona
Enjoy this month’s harvests of cool-season vegetables, herbs, fruit, and flowers.
- Kale is a superstar in the Arizona garden in January. Keep harvesting for a continuous supply. Frosty nights will sweeten kale’s flavor. Grow several varieties of kale in your garden. Don’t forget to try my favorite kale salad with all that delicious kale.
- Broccoli harvests begin in earnest this month. Hopefully, you succession planted to have a continuous harvest all month. Plant transplants through the end of January. Learn more about succession planting in this guide.
- Carrots planted in September and October might be ready to harvest. Plant carrots through the end of March. Be sure to thin carrots for large, delicious carrots.
Should you plant now… or wait?
January is often the time we need to make some choices about space. Look around and think where you will need spots to plant warm-season crops. Will the crops there be finished when you’re ready to plant?
With one short season after another here in the low desert, finding space for everything can be a juggling act. Do your best, and remember to prioritize space for your favorite crops. Get more tips on garden planning in this guide.
- If you aren’t growing asparagus, consider dedicating a 4-foot by 4-foot raised bed. January is a great time to plant asparagus.
- This is the last month to plant strawberries. Space strawberries 12 inches apart. Plant strawberries with a crown of the plant above the soil line. Mulch and water strawberries well.
- January is the best time to plant deciduous fruit trees. Learn which fruit trees grow well in the low desert in this guide. Apricots are a great option. Learn how to grow them here.
If you didn’t start seeds indoors for tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers in December, get them started this month. The seedlings will be ready to be planted by February or March. Read this post for more information about how to start seeds indoors. Here is a link to my favorite seed-starting supplies.
If one of your goals this year is to meet and connect with other gardeners, consider joining a gardening club. Use this guide to find a gardening club near you and learn more about the benefits of joining.
For the full January planting list (indoors and out) and a simple way to track it, learn more about the Low Desert Garden Planner or buy it in my shop. If you’re wondering what to plant and when, this planting calendar for Arizona is one I refer to all year long.
What Vegetables to Plant in January in Arizona (Low Desert)
(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)
- Comfrey (ST)
- Dill (S)
- Fava Bean (S)
- Fennel (S)
- Garbanzo Beans (S)
- Garlic Chives (T)
- Kale (T)
- Kohlrabi (T)
- Lavender (T)
- Leeks (T)
- Lentil (S)
- Lettuce/Endive (ST)
- Mustard Greens (ST)
- Onion (T)
- Onion (Green) (S)
- Parsley (ST)
- Peas (S)
- Potato (seed potato)
- Radish (S)
- Rutabaga (S)
- Spinach (ST)
- Strawberry (T)
- Swiss Chard (ST)
- Turnip (S)
- Wheat (S)
SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed T= Transplant
Perpetual Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Calendar shows you when to plant vegetables in the low desert of Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants. See it in my shop.
Vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds to start indoors during January
(Click the link for seed sources)
- Papalo
- Pepper
- Sesame
- Summer Squash
- Sweet Potato (start slips)
- Swiss Chard
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Turmeric (pre-sprout)
For trusted varieties that grow well season after season, visit my favorite seeds.
Flowers to plant in the low desert in January
- Plant spring flowering annuals this month. (See list below)
January is the ideal month to plant roses in Arizona. Choose carefully. A bargain rose may not be a bargain. You may be bringing disease into your garden. I get all of my roses from Heirloom Roses. I love that they are own-root roses (no grafts!) and that they meet the highest standards for disease resistance. You know you are getting robust, disease-free roses with strong roots when you get them from Heirloom Roses. Use Code GARDENAZ26 for 20% off any rose order.
(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)
- Geranium (T)
- Gladiolus (corm)
- Hyacinth (bulb)
- Larkspur (S)
- Nasturtium (S)
- Nigella (ST)
- Petunia (T)
- Rudbeckia (ST)
- Snapdragon (T)
- Stock (T)
- Strawflower (ST)
- Sweet Peas (ST)
- Violet (Viola, Pansy) (ST)
- Yarrow (T)
What Seeds to Start Indoors in January (Arizona)
(Click the link for seed sources)
January Planting FAQ (Arizona Low Desert)
In the low desert, January is typically your last reliable month to plant strawberries, so plant as early in the month as you can and keep plants consistently watered.
Usually no in the low desert. Start seeds indoors in January so plants are ready to transplant after the cold risk eases.
If you have room, prioritize greens you will harvest repeatedly (lettuce, kale, chard), plus broccoli and strawberries.
Yes, January is a prime window for planting bare-root deciduous fruit trees in the low desert.
Vegetable, Herb, and Fruit Planting Guide for the Low Desert of Arizona
The ultimate resource for gardeners in arid regions with hot summers and mild winters—designed specifically for the low desert of Arizona.
It features information on how and when to start seeds indoors and when to transplant them outside for nearly 100 different fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
If you are ready to take the next step in your gardening journey, my gardening classes are a great way to learn more. I teach both online and in-person classes that cover everything from starting your first garden to improving soil, designing raised beds, and growing in the low desert. These classes are designed to give you the confidence and knowledge you need to be successful in your own garden.
If you found this post about what to plant in Arizona in January helpful, please share it.
Leave a comment on What to Plant in January in Arizona (Low Desert Guide)