What Can I Plant in My Garden in January in Santa Cruz?
More than you might think. January is one of the most productive planting months in Santa Cruz County, especially if you focus on cool-season crops and bare-root plants.
The ground is cool but workable, and winter rains do most of the watering for you. Direct-seed peas, fava beans, radishes, spinach, and lettuce now, and they will thrive in the mild temperatures. Garlic and onion sets can still go in if you missed the fall window. According to the UC Master Gardeners of Santa Cruz County, January is also prime time for planting bare-root fruit trees, roses, and berries while they are dormant and establish roots before spring growth begins.
If you garden in a frost-prone area like Bonny Doon or the upper San Lorenzo Valley, hold off on tender transplants and stick to hardy greens and root vegetables. Closer to the coast, you can push it a bit with starts of broccoli, cabbage, and kale from a local nursery. Cover crops like crimson clover are still viable if you get them in the ground early this month.
January is also a great time to amend your soil. Work in compost or aged manure before the beds fill up with spring plantings. The UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties recommend pruning dormant fruit trees and roses this month as well.
This week: Direct-seed a row of sugar snap peas along a fence or trellis. Soak seeds overnight first for faster germination.
For a month-by-month breakdown of what to plant and when, our free Planting Calendar for Santa Cruz County takes the guesswork out of timing. You can also explore our full guide on what to plant in January in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area for more crop options.
