What to plant in February

February is the critical month for starting tomatoes and peppers indoors (zones 5–7), continuing onion and leek starts from January, and direct sowing cool-season crops outdoors in zones 8–10. Don't start tomatoes before your last frost minus 6–8 weeks — early starts lead to root

February marks the beginning of serious indoor seed starting for most American gardeners. Tomatoes and peppers go in the tray this month for zones 5–7. Cool-season crops push into the ground in zones 7–9. And in zones 9–11, warm-season planting begins.

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Indoor seed starting in February

Tomatoes — the most important start of the year

Per Penn State Extension, tomatoes should be started indoors "6–8 weeks before the expected last frost date." February start dates by zone:

For zone 7 — my zone — mid-February is the target start date. I typically sow tomato seed the second weekend of February and have stocky transplants ready for May planting.

Sowing depth: Per Penn State Extension, sow tomato seeds 1/4 inch deep. Germination takes 5–10 days at 70–80°F. A seedling heat mat under the seed tray speeds germination significantly — use it until sprouts appear, then remove.

Light: Tomato seedlings require 14–16 hours of light daily under artificial lights, or a very bright south window. Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, "insufficient light is the number one cause of leggy, weak seedlings." Grow lights kept 2–4 inches above the seedlings produce compact, stocky plants.

Peppers — start before tomatoes

Peppers grow more slowly than tomatoes. Per Penn State Extension, "peppers should be started 8–10 weeks before transplanting." For zone 7 with last frost around April 15, start peppers February 1–15. For zone 6, start in mid-to-late January.

Pepper seed germination requires warm soil temperatures — 80–85°F for best results. A heat mat is more critical for peppers than tomatoes. Per NC State Extension, without bottom heat, "pepper germination is slow and irregular, sometimes taking 3–4 weeks."

Eggplant

Same timing as peppers — 8–10 weeks before last frost. Germination also requires 80–85°F soil temperature.

Continuing January starts

If you started onions, leeks, and parsley in January, February is the month to thin seedlings and pot up to larger containers if root-bound. Onion seedlings should be trimmed to 3–4 inches tall when they exceed 4 inches.

Flowers for summer color

Petunias and Calibrachoa: 10–12 weeks before last frost. Zone 7 gardeners start in late January to early February.

Snapdragons: 10–12 weeks before last frost. Zone 7: start in early February.

Lobelia: Very small seeds that need light to germinate. 10–12 weeks before last frost. Surface-sow; press into moist mix but do not cover.

Geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum): 12–14 weeks before last frost. Per Clemson HGIC, "starting geraniums from seed is a long process" requiring a warm (70–75°F) germination environment.

What to direct sow outdoors in February

Zone 9–10: transition from cool to warm season

By late February in Gulf Coast zones, it's time to start removing cool-season crops that have bolted or declined and preparing beds for warm-season planting. Per Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the last good time to plant cool-season vegetables in Houston is mid-February. Transplant warm-season vegetable transplants (tomatoes, peppers) outdoors in late February only if frost protection is available.

Direct sow in zone 9: Beans, summer squash, cucumbers, and Southern peas can be direct-sown outdoors in late February in zone 9 when soil temperatures reach 60°F.

Zone 8: productive outdoor planting

In zone 8, February is prime cool-season time:

• Direct sow spinach, lettuce, kale, collards, Swiss chard, beets, carrots, turnips
• Transplant broccoli and cabbage started indoors in December–January
• Sow peas directly in the garden — per Clemson HGIC, "plant peas as soon as the soil can be worked" in zones 7–8, and February fits that window

Per Clemson HGIC, zone 8 gardeners "can plant almost all cool-season vegetables directly in the garden in February."

Zone 7: late February opportunities

Peas: Per University of Maryland Extension, garden peas can be direct-sown in zone 7 from late February through March. Pea seeds germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40°F. Plant 1 inch deep, 2 inches apart.

Spinach: Hardy spinach varieties germinate at soil temperatures as low as 35°F. Direct sow under floating row cover in late February for zone 7.

Cold frames and row covers: These tools extend the planting window significantly. Per Penn State Extension, a single layer of frost cloth raises the minimum temperature by 4–6°F. A cold frame raises it by 10°F or more. Both allow zone 6–7 gardeners to sow 2–4 weeks earlier than they could in open soil.

Bare-root planting window

February is prime time for planting bare-root trees, roses, fruit bushes, and perennials. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, bare-root plants "establish more quickly than container plants when planted correctly" because the roots are planted directly in native soil without the transition zone between potting mix and garden soil.

Bare-root planting conditions: Plant while the plants are still dormant (before buds swell and open), in soil that is workable but not frozen. Soak roots in water for 12–24 hours before planting. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, "trim any broken, dead, or circling roots" before planting.

Asparagus crowns

February is the traditional time to order and plant asparagus crowns for spring planting in zones 5–8. Per NC State Extension, asparagus crowns "should be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in spring" in zones 5–7. February is slightly early for zone 5–6, but zone 7–8 gardeners can plant crowns in February in prepared beds.

Cool-season vs. warm-season planting by region

Northeast (zones 5–7)

February activity: Start tomatoes and peppers indoors (mid-to-late February for zone 7). Start snapdragons, petunias, geraniums indoors. Continue onion and leek seedling care. Plant bare-root roses and perennials in late February if soil allows.

Southeast (zones 7–9)

February activity: Plant all cool-season vegetables outdoors. Begin preparing warm-season beds. Zone 9 (Gulf Coast) gardeners can transplant tomato and pepper transplants outdoors with frost protection in late February.

Midwest (zones 4–6)

February activity: Indoor seed starting begins in earnest. Start peppers (early February for zone 5b–6). Start tomatoes (late February for zone 6). Not yet time for outdoor planting.

Pacific Northwest (zones 7–9)

February activity: Direct sow spinach, lettuce, and fava beans outdoors in zone 8 (Willamette Valley, coastal Oregon/Washington). Start tomatoes, peppers, and squash indoors. Per Oregon State Extension, "early February is the right time to start tomatoes and peppers indoors" for a mid-May transplanting date.

West / California (zones 8–11)

February activity: Transplant warm-season vegetables in zones 9b–11 (Southern California, Central Valley) by late February. Continue cool-season planting in zone 8 (Northern California inland). Per UC Cooperative Extension, "February is the second chance for cool-season vegetables" in Northern California.

February ornamental tasks

Dormant pruning: Complete dormant pruning of fruit trees, roses, and ornamental grasses before growth begins. In zone 7, growth may already be stirring in late February — prune while plants are still dormant (before buds swell).

Ornamental grasses: Per Missouri Botanical Garden, cut ornamental grasses back to 4–6 inches from the ground in late winter, "before new growth emerges from the crown." My switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and most other warm-season grasses get cut in late February in zone 7.

Hellebores: Do not prune in February — hellebores often bloom in late February to March in zones 6–7 and are best left undisturbed until after flowering.

State planting calendars

For state-specific timing:

• New York: /planting/ny/
• Pennsylvania: /planting/pa/
• Texas: /planting/tx/
• California: /planting/ca/
• Georgia: /planting/ga/

Common mistakes

Frequently asked

Can I start basil in February?

Only if your last frost date is in early March (zones 8b–9+). Basil is tropical and suffers in temperatures below 50°F. Per Penn State Extension, basil should be started "4–6 weeks before last frost." Starting basil in February in zone 7 produces plants that are too large and cold-stressed by transplanting time. Wait until March.

Is it too cold to plant anything outdoors in zone 6 in February?

For most crops, yes. The exception is garlic planted in fall and any cold frame plantings of spinach or mâche. Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, zone 6 outdoor direct sowing begins in March for most crops.

What cool-season vegetables tolerate the most cold?

Per Clemson HGIC, the most cold-tolerant cool-season vegetables are: kale (survives to 20°F), spinach (25°F), mâche/corn salad (20°F), and collards (15°F with acclimation). These can be grown under row cover in zone 6 in February with reliable results.

Sources

1. Penn State Extension — Vegetable Seed Starting
2. Cornell Cooperative Extension — Vegetable Planting
3. Clemson HGIC — Cool-Season Vegetables
4. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Vegetable Planting Guide
5. Oregon State Extension — Planting Calendar
6. NC State Extension — Asparagus