Seasonal Planting Guide
What to Plant in February
February is seed starting season. Get tomatoes, peppers, and cool-season crops going indoors while warm-zone gardeners plant outdoors. The spring rush starts now.
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Tomatoes (Zones 7–8)
February is tomato seed starting month for zones 7–8. Sow 6–8 weeks before your last frost date. Use a heat mat (75–85°F soil temp for best germination). Place under grow lights 14–16 hours/day. Start with determinate varieties for containers, indeterminate for garden beds. Cherry tomatoes are the most forgiving for beginners.
Peppers — Sweet & Hot (All Zones)
Start ALL pepper seeds indoors in February — 8–10 weeks before last frost. Peppers need WARMTH: 80–90°F soil for germination. Use a heat mat and humidity dome. Bell peppers, jalapeños, banana peppers, and habaneros all start now. Don't rush transplanting — wait until nighttime temps stay above 55°F.
Eggplant (All Zones)
Start eggplant 8–10 weeks before last frost. Like peppers, they need warm soil (80°F) for germination. Keep under grow lights 14–16 hours daily. Classic varieties: Black Beauty, Ichiban (Japanese long), Fairy Tale (compact/containers), Rosa Bianca (Italian heirloom). Eggplant is a long-season crop — the February start is critical.
Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage (Zones 5–7)
Start brassicas indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost. For zones 5–7, February is the window. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi — all cool-season crops that tolerate light frost once transplanted. Grow at 60–65°F indoors. Transplant outdoors 2–4 weeks before last frost.
Herbs: Basil, Parsley, Cilantro
Start basil indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost (February for zones 6–8). Basil needs 70°F+ for germination. Parsley is notoriously slow — 2–3 weeks to germinate, so the early start helps. Also start: chives, oregano, thyme, sage, dill. Herbs in 4-inch pots transplant easily to gardens or containers in spring.
Annual Flowers: Snapdragons, Petunias, Impatiens
Start slow-growing annual flower seeds in February. Snapdragons need 8–10 weeks before transplanting. Petunias, impatiens, coleus, and lobelia also benefit from a February start. These tiny seeds need surface sowing — press into moist mix but don't cover. Bottom heat speeds germination.
☀️ Plant Outdoors — Warm Zones (8–10)
Peas & Fava Beans (Zones 7–9)
Direct sow peas and fava beans 4–6 weeks before last frost. In zones 7–9, that's February. Peas germinate in soil as cool as 40°F. Plant 1 in deep, 2 in apart along a trellis. Snow peas, sugar snaps, and shelling peas — all go in now. Fava beans are even more cold-tolerant and fix nitrogen in the soil.
Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula (Zones 7–10)
Direct sow cool-season greens in February for zones 7–10. Scatter seed thinly, cover lightly (1/8 in), keep moist. Lettuce, spinach, arugula, mustard greens, bok choy, tatsoi — all germinate in cool soil. Succession sow every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. Cover with row fabric for frost protection.
Root Vegetables: Radishes, Carrots, Beets (Zones 7–9)
Direct sow root crops in February for zones 7–9. Radishes are ready in 25–30 days — the fastest garden crop. Carrots need 60–80 days and loose, stone-free soil. Beets germinate in clusters — thin to 3 in apart. Turnips and parsnips also go in now. All need consistently moist soil for even germination.
Potatoes (Zones 7–9)
Plant seed potatoes in February for zones 7–9. Place cut seed potatoes (eye side up) 4 in deep, 12 in apart in rows or bags. Hill soil as stems grow. Yukon Gold, Red Pontiac, and Fingerling are excellent early varieties (70–90 days). Don't use grocery store potatoes — get certified disease-free seed potatoes.
Asparagus Crowns (Zones 5–9)
February–March is the window to plant asparagus crowns (1–2 year old roots). Dig a trench 12 in deep, add compost, place crowns 18 in apart, cover with 3 in of soil. Gradually fill the trench as ferns grow. Don't harvest the first year — let plants establish. After year 2, harvest lightly. Full harvest from year 3 onwards. Asparagus beds produce for 20+ years.
Fruit Trees & Berry Bushes (Zones 6–10)
February is peak bare-root season for fruit trees and berry bushes. Plant apple, pear, peach, plum, blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry. Bare-root plants are 40–60% cheaper than potted and establish faster. Plant immediately upon arrival. Soak roots 1–2 hours, dig wide holes, spread roots, backfill with native soil, water deeply, mulch.
❄️ February Tasks for Cool/Cold Zones (3–6)
Continue Winter Sowing
February is excellent for winter sowing in milk jugs — even better than January because more varieties can be added. Sow: kale, lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, calendula, larkspur, bachelor buttons, sweet William, hollyhock, foxglove, echinacea, black-eyed Susan. Set jugs outside in snow — they'll germinate naturally.
Prune Fruit Trees (While Dormant)
Late February is ideal for pruning apple, pear, peach, plum, and cherry trees in cold zones. Remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches. Open up the center for airlight. Prune for shape: central leader for apples/pears, open vase for peaches. Use clean, sharp tools. Don't prune stone fruits in wet weather — disease risk.
Dormant Spray Fruit Trees
Apply dormant oil spray to fruit trees in late February before buds swell. This smothers overwintering insect eggs and fungal spores. Use horticultural oil or sulfur-based spray on a dry day above 40°F. Cover all bark surfaces — trunk, branches, and twigs. This single application prevents many spring pest problems.
Test and Amend Soil
If you didn't test soil in January, do it NOW. Send samples to your local extension service ($15–$25). February gives time for results to arrive and amendments (lime, sulfur, compost) to begin working before spring planting. Spread 2–3 in of compost over beds — it can sit on top until you work it in during spring prep.
Force Branches Indoors
Cut branches from spring-blooming trees and shrubs (forsythia, quince, pussy willow, crabapple, cherry, magnolia) and bring them indoors. Place in water in a warm, bright room. They'll bloom in 1–4 weeks — a beautiful preview of spring. Cut when buds are swollen but not yet open for best results.
Plan Succession Planting Schedule
Create a succession planting calendar for your zone. Map out: what to plant, when to start seeds, when to transplant, when to direct sow, and when to plant the next round. Succession planting (planting the same crop every 2–3 weeks) extends harvest from one big glut to months of continuous production.
🌸 February Flower Planting
Pansies & Violas (Zones 6–8)
Plant pansies and violas outdoors in late February in zones 6–8. They handle hard frost and bloom in cool weather. Available at nurseries and big box stores. Plant in full sun to part shade, feed every 2 weeks. They'll bloom straight through spring until summer heat kills them.
Sweet Peas (Zones 6–9)
Direct sow sweet peas as early as soil can be worked — late February in zones 6–9. Nick the hard seed coat or soak overnight for faster germination. Plant 1 in deep along a trellis or fence. Sweet peas are among the most fragrant cut flowers and climb 6–8 ft. They stop blooming when summer heat arrives.
Start Dahlia Tubers Indoors
Start dahlia tubers in pots indoors in February to get a 4–6 week head start on blooms. Plant tubers 4 in deep in 1-gallon pots, eye side up. Keep at 60–70°F. Don't overwater until sprouts appear. Transplant outdoors after last frost. This gives you dahlias blooming in June instead of August.
Hellebores & Early Perennials
In zones 6–8, hellebores (Lenten roses) bloom in February — the first perennial flowers of the year. Plant new hellebores now while you can see them blooming. Also divide and transplant: hostas, daylilies, ornamental grasses — all while still dormant. Early division gives roots time to establish before summer stress.
Order Summer Bulbs
Order dahlias, gladiolus, canna lilies, caladiums, and elephant ears NOW for spring delivery. Popular varieties sell out fast. Plan your summer bulb display: dahlias for cutting gardens, gladiolus for vertical drama, cannas for tropical effect, caladiums for shade color. They ship in March–April for planting after last frost.
Prune Roses (Zones 7–9)
Late February is rose pruning time in zones 7–9. For hybrid teas and floribundas: remove dead canes, cut to 12–18 in, prune to outward-facing buds, remove any cane thinner than a pencil. For shrub roses and Knock Outs: remove dead wood and shape lightly — they bloom on new wood. Feed with balanced fertilizer after pruning.
🏠 February Indoor Projects
Set Up Grow Light Station
If you don't have one, February is the time to set up a seed starting station. You need: a shelf or table, full-spectrum LED grow lights (T5 or T8), heat mats, seed starting trays, and quality seed starting mix. Total setup: $75–$200. Position lights 2–4 in above seedlings and raise as plants grow. Run lights 14–16 hours/day on a timer.
Build a Cold Frame
Build a simple cold frame from an old window and lumber — it extends your growing season by 4–6 weeks in both directions. Place over garden beds to harden off seedlings, grow cool-season crops early, and protect plants from frost. A cold frame is essentially a mini-greenhouse. Open on warm days (above 60°F) to prevent overheating.
Start Microgreens & Sprouts
Continue indoor growing: microgreens (sunflower, pea shoot, radish) ready in 7–14 days, sprouts (alfalfa, mung bean) ready in 3–5 days. Both provide fresh nutrition all winter. New February additions: try basil microgreens, cilantro microgreens, and amaranth microgreens for variety.
Inventory and Organize Seeds
Test old seed viability: place 10 seeds on a damp paper towel in a plastic bag, keep warm for 7–10 days. Count how many germinate — 7/10 = 70% viability (still usable, sow heavier). Most vegetable seeds last 2–5 years if stored cool and dry. Discard anything over 5 years old (except tomatoes, which can last 10+ years).
Plan Container Garden
February is the time to plan container gardens for patios, balconies, and porches. Inventory existing pots, plan what goes where, and order any new containers. Large pots (18 in+) perform best — they hold more soil, dry out slower, and support bigger plants. Plan thriller (tall center) + filler (mounding middle) + spiller (trailing edge) combos.
Start Composting
If you don't compost yet, February is a great time to start. Set up a bin or pile: layer greens (kitchen scraps, coffee grounds) with browns (leaves, cardboard, straw). Turn monthly for hot composting, or let it sit for cold composting. A pile started in February produces usable compost by fall. Kitchen scraps + yard waste = free garden gold.
February Planting Quick Reference
| Plant | Start Indoor | Transplant/Outdoor | Days to Harvest | Zones | Sun | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes (zones 7–8) | February | April–May | 60–85 | 7–8 | Full sun | Easy |
| Peppers (all zones) | February | After frost | 60–90 | All | Full sun | Easy |
| Broccoli/Cauliflower | Feb (zones 5–7) | March–April | 55–80 | 5–7 | Full sun | Moderate |
| Peas (zones 7–9) | N/A | February | 55–70 | 7–9 | Full sun | Easy |
| Lettuce/Greens | Feb (or outdoors 7+) | Feb–March | 30–60 | 7–10 | Part–full sun | Easy |
| Potatoes (zones 7–9) | N/A | February | 70–120 | 7–9 | Full sun | Easy |
| Asparagus crowns | N/A | Feb–March | Year 3+ | 5–9 | Full sun | Easy (patient) |
| Dahlia tubers (indoor) | February | After frost | 90–120 | All | Full sun | Moderate |
February Planting FAQs
What should I start from seed in February?▼
Tomatoes (zones 7–8), peppers (all zones), eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage (zones 5–7), herbs (basil, parsley), and slow-growing flowers (snapdragons, petunias, impatiens). These need 6–10 weeks of indoor growth before transplanting.
Can I plant outside in February?▼
In zones 7–10, yes — peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, beets, potatoes, and bare-root trees/shrubs. In zones 3–6, outdoor activity is limited to winter sowing in milk jugs, dormant pruning, and dormant spraying.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors?▼
Start tomato seeds 6–8 weeks before your last frost date. For zones 7–8, that's February. For zones 5–6, wait until March. For zones 3–4, wait until late March to early April. Use a heat mat for best germination.
Is February too early to prune roses?▼
In zones 7–9, late February is perfect for pruning roses — prune when forsythia starts blooming. In zones 5–6, wait until March. In zones 3–4, wait until April. The goal is to prune just as buds begin to swell.
Should I fertilize in February?▼
Generally no for outdoor plants — most are still dormant. Exception: zones 9–10 can fertilize cool-season lawns and actively growing vegetables. For indoor seedlings, wait until true leaves appear, then use half-strength liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks.
What bare-root plants should I order in February?▼
Fruit trees (apple, pear, peach, cherry), berry bushes (blueberry, raspberry, blackberry), roses, asparagus crowns, and ornamental trees/shrubs. Bare-root plants are 40–60% cheaper than potted and establish faster. Order early — they sell out.
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