Is January Too Early to Start Seeds Indoors in Coastal California?
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 Bay 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.
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 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.
