Seattle in January: what to plant
Averaged over the last 5 years of daily records, January in Seattle runs 2.6–7.9°C with about 150 mm of rain across the month. Here is what that climate actually supports.
❄️ In 5 of the last 5 years, Seattle saw at least one night at or below 0°C in January (record low -10.1°C). Cold-sensitive crops need cover.
Best crops to sow now
- 🌱 Microgreens Fastest about 8 days to harvest 🪴 Windowsill pot — sheltered from outdoor weather
- 🍃 Mint about 30 days to harvest 🪴 Windowsill pot — sheltered from outdoor weather
- 🧅 Chives about 32 days to harvest 🪴 Windowsill pot — sheltered from outdoor weather
- 🌿 Basil about 34 days to harvest 🪴 Windowsill pot — sheltered from outdoor weather
- 🧄 Garlic 65 about 237 days to harvest Recent mean 5.2°C — right in the sweet spot
Leave these for another month
- 🏵️ Marigold — Recent mean 5.2°C is too cold (ideal 12–30°C)
- 🌻 Sunflower — Recent mean 5.2°C is too cold (ideal 14–30°C)
- 🎃 Pumpkin — Recent mean 5.2°C is too cold (ideal 16–30°C)
Other months in Seattle
Temperature and rainfall are 5-year daily normals from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo. Suitability is scored with the same degree-day model the game runs on — it is not a generic planting calendar.