Lowcountry Almanac: January
Embrace renewal and reflection as winter casts its gentle chill
January arrives with a whisper of crisp air and the promise of fresh beginnings. Named after Janus, the Roman god of transitions, this month encourages us to reflect on the past while stepping boldly into the future. In the Lowcountry January’s blend of cool days and quiet moments offers an ideal time to plan, dream and prepare. With insights from the 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac and Grow Great Vegetables South Carolina, this guide is your companion for embracing the magic of January.
Night & day
As the days slowly lengthen, each sunrise and sunset brings a subtle reminder that brighter, warmer days are ahead.
Sunrise: 7:15-7:22 a.m. (earlier each day)
Sunset: 5:30-5:57 p.m. (later each day)
Weather predictions
January in the Lowcountry brings a mix of rainy days and brisk, sunny spells, perfect for dreaming of spring gardens or tackling New Year projects.
Average temperature: 46 degrees (1 degree below average)
Precipitation: 5 inches (1/2 inch above average)
Forecast by week
Jan. 1-11: Rainy periods; cool, then warm
Jan. 12-14: Sunny, mild
Jan. 15-22: Overcast, mild
Jan. 23-31: Isolated showers, very cold
Astronomical events
January offers celestial wonders to brighten winter nights:
Jan. 2-3: The Quadrantid meteor shower, with its spectacular fireballs, peaks overnight.
Jan. 7: A perigee moon shines larger and brighter than usual.
Jan. 13: Mars reaches perigee under a full moon, glowing its brightest until 2031.
Jan. 22: Six planets align (Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, Saturn). Use a telescope or binoculars to view Neptune and Uranus.
Gardening
Prep
Winter is for groundwork — plan, prune and prep for a flourishing spring garden.
Map out your garden and planting schedule.
Prune fruit trees and bushes for healthier growth.
Pre-sprout potatoes for an early start.
Plant
Sow the seeds of spring indoors or directly in the soil for hardy crops.
Indoors: Crops like brassicas, peppers, artichokes, eggplants, tomatoes, celery, leeks, Asian greens and rhubarb benefit from an early start in seed trays or pots with well-draining soil and good light exposure. Use grow lights to extend daylight hours, and keep the soil moist while maintaining a consistent temperature range.
Outdoors: Hardy crops such as onions, peas, beets, carrots, spinach, chard, radishes, turnips, garlic and shallots can be directly sown into prepared garden beds or containers. Enrich the soil with compost, apply mulch to regulate temperature, and cover crops with row fabric if cold snaps occur.
Harvest
Enjoy a winter bounty of fresh produce from your garden, including kale, leeks, collards, spinach, arugula, mustards, carrots, turnips, radishes, beets, Swiss chard, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bok choy and more.
Best days
Looking for the perfect timing? The moon’s phases suggest January’s best days for these activities:
- Fishing: Jan. 1-13, 29-31
- Cutting and coloring hair: Jan. 8-9
- Buying a house: Jan. 8-9
- Moving: Jan. 10-11
- Traveling for pleasure: Jan. 14-15
- Visiting the dentist: Jan. 16-18
- Getting married: Jan. 19–20
- Starting a weight-loss plan: Jan. 19, 24
- Brewing or canning: Jan. 21–23
- Starting a project: Jan. 30
Tides & Currents
Stay in sync with the rhythms of the Lowcountry coast. Click here for the latest tide and current predictions from NOAA.
