February marks a significant transition in the gardening world, shifting the focus from purely planning to actively initiating the first phase of growth. For many, this month represents the earliest practical window to start cultivating long-maturing warm-season crops and certain flowers. Starting seeds in February effectively extends the growing window, ensuring plants are ready for transplanting at the optimal time later in the spring.
Understanding Regional Climate and Timing
The success of any February planting effort depends entirely on a gardener’s geographic location and local climate conditions. Since the timing of winter’s end varies drastically, understanding a few key metrics is necessary to determine what can realistically be started in February.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map categorizes regions based on their average annual minimum winter temperature, guiding general plant survival. A more specific measure is the average last frost date for a location, which is the approximate spring date after which a killing frost is unlikely. This historical average determines the target date for moving tender seedlings outdoors, and all indoor planting schedules are calculated by counting backward from this date.
A third, often overlooked factor is the soil temperature, which governs the germination and growth of seeds sown directly outdoors. Even if the air temperature seems mild, the ground may remain too cold for seeds to sprout or for young roots to establish successfully. Most cool-season crops, like peas and carrots, require soil temperatures of at least 40°F, while warm-season seeds, such as beans, often need the soil to be 60°F or higher to germinate reliably.
Seeds to Start Indoors in February
For most gardeners in temperate zones, the primary activity in February is starting seeds indoors to give slow-growing plants a necessary head start on the season. This controlled environment allows seedlings to develop robust root systems and foliage before outdoor conditions permit transplanting. The general rule for many indoor starts is to sow seeds six to ten weeks before the average last frost date.
The most prominent category for early indoor sowing is the nightshade family, which includes heat-loving plants like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. These plants require a long period of warm weather to mature and produce fruit, so starting them eight to ten weeks before the last frost is essential for a timely summer harvest. Providing bottom heat with a seedling heat mat is highly recommended for these varieties, as optimal germination often occurs at temperatures around 80°F.
Another group that benefits from an early indoor start is the brassicas, including cool-weather vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. Starting these seven to nine weeks before the final frost allows them to establish before being set out in early spring. This timing ensures they mature before summer heat causes them to “bolt” (prematurely go to seed) and helps them avoid peak spring pest pressure.
February is also the ideal time to sow perennial and hardy annual flowers that have long germination times or require cold stratification. Perennial flowers such as delphiniums, petunias, and certain herbs gain a full year’s growth by starting now, leading to stronger plants and earlier blooms. Hardy annuals like snapdragons and sweet peas also benefit from an eight to ten-week indoor start, enabling them to withstand the mild frosts of early spring after hardening off.
Hardy Plants for Direct Sowing
Direct sowing seeds into the garden in February is mainly confined to regions with mild climates, typically those in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 and warmer, where the last frost occurs early in the month or not at all. In these areas, the soil is often workable, allowing for the immediate planting of extremely cold-tolerant crops. For gardeners in colder zones, direct sowing is only feasible if the soil is thawed and protective measures like cold frames or row covers are used.
Several root vegetables can be planted directly into the ground as soon as the soil is workable and not waterlogged, often tolerating temperatures near 40°F. These include radishes, which mature quickly, and carrots and parsnips, which benefit from the long, cool growing period to develop flavor. Planting onion sets or shallots is also common in milder areas, as these small bulbs are highly frost-tolerant and require a long season to produce large bulbs.
Hardy leafy greens are also well-suited for direct sowing in February, particularly spinach and kale, which thrive in cooler temperatures. These cool-season crops are far less likely to bolt in the spring when grown from an early sowing. Broad beans, a type of fava bean, can also be sown directly outdoors in mild conditions or started under cover if the soil is too cold, providing a head start on the season.
The planting of bare-root materials, such as roses and certain fruit canes, should be completed in February before they break dormancy and begin to leaf out. Bare-root raspberries and blackberries are best planted during this dormant window, provided the ground is not frozen solid. This early planting allows the roots to settle and begin absorbing water immediately once the weather warms.