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 China Rose Radish is a tasty rose colored radish with peppery undertones. This long radish variety with 5 inch long roots is one of the oldest heirloom radishes around. The China Rose is a very hardy type that can be grown year round.

The Champion Radish is slow to become pithy. This radish is an excellent cooler weather variety, especially for short season climates. This bright red, crisp, round radish has large tops and is a good choice for early or late plantings. This highly recommended radish is great for eating fresh, in salads or for garnishes.

Spring Raab broccoli, also known as rapini, has roots in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in Italy, where it has been cultivated for centuries. This unique vegetable is characterized by its slender, green stalks topped with small yellow flowers and dark green leaves, which are edible and packed with nutrients. The flavor of Spring Raab is distinctively bitter and nutty, which softens with cooking, making it a versatile addition to dishes like stir-fries and pasta. Harvesting typically occurs 40-60 days after planting, ideally before the flowers fully open for optimal taste. This cool-season crop thrives in well-drained soil and prefers cooler temperatures, making it perfect for early spring or fall planting. Its rapid growth and ability to produce multiple harvests make Spring Raab a favorite among gardeners, while its rich vitamin content adds to its appeal for health-conscious cooks.

The Philadelphia White Box Radish is a tiny, round white variety that is the perfect choice for a container or garden bed! This radish might be small, but it has a big spicy flavor and crispy texture that is wonderful when eaten fresh. The Philadelphia White Box can enjoyed by both home growers or market growers. This variety is a heavy yielder of little, uniform radishes!

Interior texture is smooth and dense with bright white color, even when roots get large. Exceptional quality and taste when picked young, but still tasty if allowed to sit in the garden longer, giving gardener an extended harvest opportunity.

The Crnkovic Yugoslavian Tomato is a full flavored, mid-sized bright red tomato that has a perfect beefsteak shape that is juicy inside. This variety produces heavy yields of pink beefsteaks that rarely cracks and can weigh up to a pound each. Fruits have perfect shape and a juicy flavor.

The Lucullus Swiss Chard produces highly nutritious leaves from early spring until the first hard freeze in the fall. This variety produces great during the summer heat. This chard is a very popular variety grown throughout the United States.

The Vitaverde cauliflower, or "broccoflower," is the famous cross of broccoli and cauliflower! The Vitaverde broccoflower grows up to 1 pound. This hybrid has a vibrant green head, is heat tolerant and cooks fast with a mild sweet taste.

Fordhook Giant is a popular standard for many home gardens. This variety is one of best tasting Swiss Chards! The Fordhook Giant grows to be a dark glossy green color with a deeply savory leaf.

The Cimarron is a very beautifully colored romaine lettuce! This tasty lettuce has bright green-red leaves that fade to deep red tips. This romaine type lettuce has good disease and bolt resistance. Cimarron is a favorite among gardeners for its beautiful hue and crispy texture in salad mixes!

The Pink Beauty Radish is named after its beautiful, uniformed light pink exterior that is crisp and jam packed full of flavor. This round beauty has a bright white flesh that is crunchy and with the perfect radish taste. This quick-growing variety is a great addition to any garden! The Pink Beauty will add a nice pop of color to any garden or dish.

The Cincinnati Market Radish is a uniquely skinny and elongated pink to red radish that is a fresh-from-the-garden-favorite! This six inch variety has a delicately mild taste with a very tender and crisp texture, making it perfect for fresh eating. The early maturing radish has been an heirloom garden favorite since 1885. You can enjoy the delicious Cincinnati Market from spring to fall.

The Dwarf Siberian Kale leaves are perfect as a garnish and in hearty winter dishes. This frilly green and purple kale dances in the crisp early morning cold and thrive. Why? Because its roots are from Russia!

The Yellow Bhut Jolokia Pepper is a spicy yellow Ghost Pepper, which is among the World's Hottest Pepper! This wrinkled yellow pepper is 125 times hotter than a Jalapeno pepper! This Bhut Jolokia variety is a rare, natural variant of the Red Bhut Jolokia. Ghost peppers can reach over 1,000,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Use with caution!

The Confetti Mix is a fast maturing, colorful blend of the classic red, white, and bi colored radishes, all with a remarkable flavor! This fun mix is a beautiful addition to any assortment. These classic bright colors are perfect for any market grower or home gardener.

Bull's Blood beet, scientifically known as Beta vulgaris, is a striking and versatile variety of beetroot that has gained popularity for its unique characteristics. This heirloom variety has a fascinating history, dating back centuries to Europe, where it was initially cultivated for its edible leaves rather than the root. Its name, "Bull's Blood," is derived from the deep burgundy-red color of its leaves, which resemble the color of ox blood. Over time, its sweet and earthy flavor profile has made it a favorite among chefs and home gardeners alike. In terms of appearance, Bull's Blood beets typically grow to a medium size, roughly 2-3 inches in diameter, and have a round to slightly flattened shape. The seeds of this variety are easy to come by and can be sown directly in the garden or started indoors. Bull's Blood beets are relatively quick to mature, taking about 50-60 days from seed to harvest. The leaves are a deep red, while the root itself is a dark purplish-red, making it visually appealing on the plate. Bull's Blood beets exhibit some resistance to common beet diseases like Cercospora leaf spot and Downy Mildew, although specific resistance levels may vary depending on growing conditions. When properly cared for, they can yield a plentiful harvest. To ensure optimal growth, it's recommended to space the beet plants about 2-4 inches apart in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Adequate moisture and consistent watering are essential for healthy growth. Whether you're looking to add a pop of color to your garden or enhance your culinary creations, Bull's Blood beets are a delightful choice with a rich history and vibrant character.

The Piccolo eggplant is a beautiful and eye catching eggplant. This variety's skin is purple and white striped with firm flesh that is great for stuffing and pickling. Piccolos are plump and oval, about 3×4” in size, that has a great charm and appeal. The Piccolo eggplant is vigorous and productive over a very long season in the open field or greenhouse, and they have a good shelf life!

The Bolivian Rainbow Pepper is a beautiful rainbow variety of chili peppers that will a pop of color to any garden or dish. The small naturally bushy plant produces hundreds of small, teardrop shaped, hot chillies that start life creamy, turn purple, then golden, then orange and finally fire-engine red! These peppers produces early and continuously throughout the season.