What to Start Growing or Planting in February

What to Start Growing or Planting in February: Vegetables, Flowers, and Greens for US GardenersFebruary is a pivotal month for seed starting and early planting in US vegetable gardening, flower gardening, and herb cultivation, especially in colder USDA zones where outdoor activity is limited. With last frost dates ranging from March in southern zones to May in northern ones, indoor seed starting dominates for most gardeners. This allows for a head start on the growing season, leading to earlier harvests and stronger plants. Based on recommendations from sources like the Old Farmer's Almanac, USDA Extension services, and gardening forums (e.g., GardenWeb, Reddit r/gardening), focus on cool-season crops for direct sowing in mild areas (Zones 7–10) and warm-season starts indoors (Zones 3–6). Always check local frost dates via plantmaps.com or your extension office. For all items, use sterile seed-starting mix to prevent damping-off, provide 14–16 hours of light (grow lights if needed), and maintain 65–75°F for germination. Harden off transplants 1–2 weeks before outdoor planting.

10 Vegetables to Start in FebruaryThese vegetables benefit from February starts to maximize yields in US gardens. Prioritize indoor methods in colder zones.

Onions (Allium cepa)
In February, start onions from seeds indoors for Zones 3–6 or direct sow in mild Zones 7–10. Planting: Sow 1/4 inch deep in trays, 1/2 inch apart; germinate at 70°F for 7–10 days. Care: Thin to 1 inch; provide full light to prevent legginess. Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, about 1 inch per week once transplanted. Fertilizing: Use fish emulsion (diluted 1:1) biweekly for nitrogen boost; add bone meal for root development (1 tbsp per plant at transplant). Transplant outdoors in April–May, spacing 4–6 inches. Yields strong bulbs by summer.
Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum)
Ideal for February indoor seed starting across all zones. Planting: Sow 1/4 inch deep in deep pots (leeks need room); germinate at 65–70°F for 10–14 days. Care: Blanch stems by hilling soil; rotate to avoid rust. Watering: Consistent moisture, 1–1.5 inches weekly. Fertilizing: Apply compost tea every 3 weeks for steady growth; incorporate worm castings (1/4 cup per plant) for microbial health. Transplant in late April, spacing 6 inches. Great for soups, maturing in 120 days.
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)
Start indoors in February for Zones 3–8. Planting: Sow 1/4 inch deep; germinate at 75°F for 5–7 days. Care: Provide cool temps (60°F days) post-germination; use row covers for pests. Watering: Deep, 1 inch weekly, mulched to retain moisture. Fertilizing: Use blood meal (high nitrogen) at planting (2 tbsp per sq ft); follow with seaweed extract biweekly for micronutrients. Transplant mid-April, spacing 18 inches. Harvest heads in 50–70 days.
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
February indoor starts work well for all zones. Planting: Sow 1/4 inch deep; germinate at 70°F for 4–6 days. Care: Rotate to prevent clubroot; net against caterpillars. Watering: Even, 1–2 inches weekly to avoid splitting. Fertilizing: Apply aged manure at transplant (1 cup per plant); use fish bone meal for calcium to prevent tip burn. Transplant early May, spacing 12–18 inches. Matures in 60–90 days.
Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)
Begin indoors in February for Zones 3–7. Planting: Sow shallow; germinate at 70°F for 5–10 days. Care: Blanch heads with leaves; monitor for aphids. Watering: Consistent, 1 inch weekly. Fertilizing: Epsom salt (1 tbsp/gallon) for magnesium; balanced 10-10-10 organic every 4 weeks. Transplant late April, spacing 18–24 inches. Ready in 50–80 days.
Celery (Apium graveolens)
Long-season crop—start indoors February for all zones. Planting: Surface sow (light needed); germinate at 70°F for 14–21 days. Care: Blanch stalks; keep cool. Watering: High moisture, 1.5 inches weekly. Fertilizing: Compost tea biweekly; add kelp meal for trace minerals. Transplant May, spacing 8 inches. Harvest in 90–120 days.
Peppers (Capsicum annuum)
Warm-season—indoor February start essential for Zones 3–5. Planting: Sow 1/4 inch deep; germinate at 80–85°F for 7–14 days. Care: Stake plants; prune for airflow. Watering: Moderate, 1 inch weekly. Fertilizing: Bone meal at transplant; fish emulsion every 2 weeks. Transplant late May, spacing 18 inches. Matures 60–80 days.
Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
Heat-lover—February indoor for Zones 3–6. Planting: Sow 1/4 inch deep; germinate at 80°F for 7–10 days. Care: Support fruits; mulch for heat. Watering: Deep, 1–1.5 inches weekly. Fertilizing: Potassium-rich banana peel tea; organic 5-10-10 monthly. Transplant June, spacing 24 inches. 70–85 days to harvest.
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
Staple—start indoors February for all zones. Planting: Sow 1/4 inch deep; germinate at 75°F for 5–10 days. Care: Prune suckers; stake/cage. Watering: Consistent, 1–2 inches weekly. Fertilizing: Compost at planting; seaweed extract biweekly. Transplant late May, spacing 24 inches. 60–80 days.
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Cool-season—indoor February for early transplants. Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 60°F for 7 days. Care: Succession plant; shade in heat. Watering: Moist, 1 inch weekly. Fertilizing: Fish emulsion lightly every 3 weeks. Transplant April, spacing 8 inches. Harvest in 30–50 days.

10 Flowers to Start in FebruaryBrighten your garden with these flowers—indoor starts ensure blooms despite cold springs.

Petunias (Petunia hybrida)
Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 70°F for 7–10 days. Care: Pinch for bushiness. Watering: Moderate, allow dry between. Fertilizing: Liquid seaweed every 2 weeks. Transplant May, full sun.
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 65°F for 10 days. Care: Stake tall varieties. Watering: Even, 1 inch weekly. Fertilizing: Bone meal at transplant. Transplant May, sun/partial.
Geraniums (Pelargonium)
Planting: 1/8 inch deep; germinate at 75°F for 7 days. Care: Deadhead blooms. Watering: Allow top dry. Fertilizing: Fish emulsion monthly. Transplant late May, sun.
Begonias (Begonia)
Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 70°F for 14 days. Care: Shade from hot sun. Watering: Consistent, avoid wet leaves. Fertilizing: Compost tea biweekly. Transplant June, shade.
Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 70°F for 14 days. Care: Protect from sun. Watering: Moist soil. Fertilizing: Kelp meal for growth. Transplant late May, shade.
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 65°F for 14 days. Care: Keep moist. Watering: Frequent, 1 inch weekly. Fertilizing: Light fish emulsion. Transplant May, partial shade.
Salvia (Salvia splendens)
Planting: 1/8 inch deep; germinate at 70°F for 10 days. Care: Deadhead spikes. Watering: Moderate. Fertilizing: Organic 5-10-5 monthly. Transplant May, sun.
Verbena (Verbena hybrida)
Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 65°F for 14 days. Care: Trim for spread. Watering: Allow dry. Fertilizing: Bone meal for roots. Transplant June, sun.
Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum)
Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 70°F for 7 days. Care: Low maintenance. Watering: Even moisture. Fertilizing: Compost lightly. Transplant May, sun/partial.
Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)
Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 70°F for 10 days. Care: Pinch for color. Watering: Consistent. Fertilizing: Seaweed extract. Transplant May, shade.

10 Greens and Herbs to Start in FebruaryGreens and herbs are fast-growers—start indoors for early harvests.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Planting: 1/4 inch deep; germinate at 60°F for 7 days. Care: Succession sow. Watering: Moist, 1 inch weekly. Fertilizing: Blood meal for nitrogen. Transplant April, partial sun.
Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)
Planting: 1/4 inch deep; germinate at 70°F for 5 days. Care: Harvest outer leaves. Watering: Deep, 1 inch. Fertilizing: Compost tea. Transplant early May, sun.
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 60°F for 7 days. Care: Cut-and-come-again. Watering: Consistent. Fertilizing: Fish emulsion lightly. Transplant April, shade.
Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris)
Planting: 1/2 inch deep; germinate at 65°F for 7 days. Care: Harvest leaves. Watering: Moist soil. Fertilizing: Worm castings. Transplant May, sun/partial.
Arugula (Eruca sativa)
Planting: 1/4 inch deep; germinate at 60°F for 4 days. Care: Quick harvest. Watering: Even, avoid dry. Fertilizing: Kelp meal. Transplant April, partial shade.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Planting: 1/4 inch deep; germinate at 70°F for 14 days. Care: Biennial. Watering: Moderate. Fertilizing: Seaweed extract. Transplant May, sun/shade.
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Planting: 1/4 inch deep; germinate at 65°F for 7 days. Care: Succession for leaves. Watering: Consistent. Fertilizing: Compost. Transplant May, partial sun.
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 70°F for 10 days. Care: Attracts pollinators. Watering: Moderate. Fertilizing: Light bone meal. Transplant May, sun.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Planting: Surface sow; germinate at 75°F for 5 days. Care: Pinch tops. Watering: Even, avoid wet leaves. Fertilizing: Fish emulsion. Transplant late May, sun.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Planting: 1/4 inch deep; germinate at 65°F for 10 days. Care: Perennial. Watering: Moderate. Fertilizing: Compost spring. Transplant April, sun/partial.

This material provides all you need to start planting in February—grab seeds, trays, and get growing for a colorful season!

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What to Start Growing or Planting in February

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