Is January Too Early to Start Seeds Indoors in Coastal California?
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For most warm-season crops, yes. But for cool-season vegetables, January is actually right on time.
The temptation hits hard when seed catalogs arrive, but starting tomato and pepper seeds in January means they will be leggy and rootbound long before outdoor conditions are warm enough to transplant. In Santa Cruz County, our last frost date is typically mid-March for coastal areas and early April for inland valleys. The UC Master Gardeners of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties recommend counting back 6 to 8 weeks from your transplant date, which puts warm-season seed starting in mid-February at the earliest for coastal gardens and late February for inland spots. For a full walkthrough on timing and technique, see our guide to starting tomatoes from seed in Santa Cruz.
What you can start right now: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and lettuce seedlings for transplanting out in 4 to 6 weeks. These cool-season crops actually prefer being transplanted into cool soil and will bolt less than spring-started plants. Onion seeds are another good January start, since they need a longer indoor growing period (8 to 10 weeks) before going outside. If you are just getting started, our list of the first 5 vegetables to grow in Santa Cruz County is a good place to begin.
If you absolutely cannot wait on tomatoes and peppers, start one or two test pots to scratch the itch, but keep your main sowing for late February or early March. You will end up with stronger, stockier plants that catch up quickly to early starters once they hit warm soil.
This week: Start a tray of broccoli or cabbage seeds indoors under lights. Set your calendar reminder for mid-to-late February for tomatoes and peppers.
Our free Seed Starting Guide covers timing, light setup, and transplant schedules tailored to Santa Cruz growing conditions. For more on indoor seed starting, see our guide on starting seeds indoors in California.
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Where to get seeds: For varieties that do well in our climate, we like Seeds Now, a California company selling non-GMO, open-pollinated, and heirloom seed. (Affiliate link, see our disclosure.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January too early to start tomatoes and peppers indoors?
For coastal California, yes. Starting these warm-season crops in January leaves them leggy and rootbound before it is warm enough to transplant. Aim for mid-to-late February instead, counting back six to eight weeks from your transplant date.
What can I start from seed in January?
January is ideal for cool-season crops like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and lettuce, which need only four to six weeks indoors before transplanting. Onions also work now, though they need a longer eight to ten weeks inside.
Will later-started warm-season plants fall behind?
No. Tomatoes and peppers started at the right time catch up quickly once they go into warm soil, often outperforming plants that were rushed too early.
