13 Vegetables to Plant in February
Are you itching to get sowing in the chilly winter months? February is a good time to get your spring vegetable garden going! Gardening expert Madison Moulton lists 13 vegetables you can plant in February.
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February is a strange month for many gardeners. For most regions, winter is not quite over, but spring hasn’t arrived yet either. Transition periods are key times for planning your garden and starting seeds indoors to be ready for transplant when spring really arrives.
What vegetables you plant in February will depend on your last frost date. Make sure you know this date before you choose seeds to ensure you’re sowing at the right time. Also follow the instructions on your seed packets closely—some seeds benefit from indoor sowing, while others (like root crops) should be direct sown outdoors.
With your frost date in mind, you can go through this list and pick a few vegetables to plant in February. Gardeners in zones 7 and up can plant almost anything, but those in cooler areas need to be a little more selective, opting for hardy, cool-weather crops that can handle some temperature dips. Investing in a few seed-starting gadgets and protective covers can also help create the perfect environment for early sowing.
Onions
If you live in a zone 3 or cooler region, I have good news: February is a great time to plant onions. These crops take a long time to mature (up to 100 days), so sowing indoors now gives them enough time to develop fully. The bigger the variety, the more valuable an early start will be for maximum bulb size.
Onions have different categories based on how many light hours they need to form bulbs. Those in cooler zones should plant long-day onions in February, like ‘Walla Walla’ or ‘Yellow Sweet Spanish Utah’. In zone 7 and up, choose short-day onions like ‘Texas Early Grano’.
Gardeners in warmer climates can also sow bunching onions like ‘Tokyo Long White’. Keep sowing in trays every two weeks or so into March for continuous production.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a staple crop in a spring garden and an ideal vegetable to plant in February in zones 4 and above. These crops thrive in cool temperatures and perform the best without too much heat. That’s why if you live in zone 9 or above, you’ll need to get your seeds started before the end of this month, preferably sooner.
Sow your broccoli seeds in trays in a warm area (the soil should be around 75°F). Aim for around 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant out just after frost or a week or two before, after a period of hardening off. Try ‘Burgundy‘ for a fun pop of color in the veggie garden.
Cabbage
Another brassica primed for planting in February is cabbage. Cabbage struggles in warmer conditions but needs time to form its delicious head, making this month ideal.
For most zones, indoor sowing is recommended to control conditions for your young seedlings. They struggle if the air temperature is too cold (around 50°F). If you live in a warmer climate (zone 10 or 11), direct sow outdoors early this month. Don’t miss this planting window or heat will impact your harvests.
If you get your timing right, your cabbage should be ready to harvest in April. Your harvesting window should be well before any significant temperature increases. There are many interesting varieties to choose from, from the cone-shaped ‘Caraflex’ to the colorful ‘Red Acre‘.
Cauliflower
If you know your brassicas, you won’t be surprised to see cauliflower next on the list. These versatile crops have similar requirements to broccoli (in case the visual similarities weren’t enough of a clue), making them another perfect vegetable to plant in February.
Follow the same guidelines for planting times as broccoli (4 to 6 weeks before your last frost). If they start to overtake trays before you have a chance to transplant outdoors, move the seedlings into larger containers to avoid stunted growth. In warmer climates, choose cultivars like ‘Snowball Y’ with a shorter maturing time (70 to 80 days).
Leeks
For gardeners in zone 3, it’s still too early for brassicas. But you can add another allium to your planting list: leeks. The stalks have a much milder onion flavor that makes them more versatile in the kitchen. If you only associate these vegetables with boring soups, you’re missing out.
Like onions, leeks need a long time to mature. They are not for the impatient gardener, only ready to harvest around 4 months after planting time. But considering their delicious flavor and versatility, they are well worth the wait. Start indoors and transplant before frost around 6 inches apart.
Celery
Celery is often missed in the vegetable garden because of its long growing season. Luckily, February is a great time to get started if you want crisp stalks by late spring. Their ideal indoor sowing time is 10 to 12 weeks before last frost.
In cooler zones, indoor starting is vital. Germination can be slow and finicky, and seedlings require controlled conditions (particularly when it comes to temperature) for strong early growth. Outdoor sowing is only recommended for mild climates much later than Feb.
Be sure nighttime temperatures are above 55°F before transplanting outdoors. Stick to reliable cultivars like ‘Utah’ or ‘Merengo’ for a stress-free growing process.
Kale
Kale is well-known for thriving in the cold, a ‘superfood’ not only in nutrients but also in resilience. If you live in a colder region, February sowing indoors gives your plants a head start. In warmer zones, you may be able to direct sow if the soil temperature is warm enough (above 60°F). Keep an eye on the weather to avoid unexpected cold snaps.
Aim to sow seeds about 4 to 6 weeks before the expected last frost date if you’re growing indoors. Outdoors, 1 to 2 weeks before frost is ideal.
Most kale varieties, such as ‘Lacinato’ or ‘Red Russian’, respond well to regular moisture. If you give them enough space, they’ll produce leaves continuously throughout spring. If you live in a mild climate, save some seeds and sow again in fall for a late winter crop.
Lettuce
If kale is a bit too much for your tastebuds, juicy and versatile lettuce is also ready to plant in February. Those in colder zones 7 and lower may need to wait a little longer, but other gardeners can sow your favorite cultivars this month.
You can start them indoors and transplant outside around 4 to 6 weeks before last frost. In warmer zones (9 and above), direct sow seeds outdoors, preferably in raised beds, for better control over conditions. The soil temperature should ideally be 60°F to 70°F.
Loose-leaf types like ‘Black Seeded Simpson’ or ‘Red Sails’ mature quickly and can be harvested as baby leaves or left to grow for larger heads. Have row covers ready in case a sudden chill arrives.
Radish
Impatient gardeners who appreciate instant results will love growing spring/summer radishes. These adorable roots are ready to pull in just a month’s time and thrive in cool spring conditions, a perfect vegetable to plant in February.
As root crops, radishes don’t like to be disturbed. Direct sow around 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date. The soil temperature should be above at least 40°F. Consider sowing in cold frames if outdoor conditions remain chilly. Warm-zone gardeners (7 and above) can usually direct sow radishes outdoors without much worry, as they only need about 25 to 30 days to reach maturity.
Varieties like ‘Cherry Belle’ or ‘French Breakfast’ are quick to mature and suitable for almost any fresh dish. For a continual supply, sow every two weeks until temperatures become too warm.
Beets
Beets grow well in late winter or early spring conditions, as long as your spring conditions are mild. They thrive in cooler soil and often produce sweeter roots when temperatures remain moderate. February is a great time to get started if your region allows.
These tough plants will germinate in soils as cold as 45°F. Outdoor sowing is possible in warmer climates, 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date. Sowing at this time will deliver a strong harvest in early summer. Since they don’t transplant well, gardeners in cold climates should wait a little longer before sowing.
Give your beet seedlings loose, fertile soil, and avoid overcrowding so that each root has ample room to develop. Eliminate weaker seedlings soon after germination to limit competition.
Spinach
Spinach is known for its cool-weather tolerance, which suits planting in February well. In zone 6 and lower, seeds can be started indoors under lights or sown directly outdoors if the ground is not frozen. When planting in cooler soil, germination may take a bit longer.
In warmer areas (zones 7 and 8), spinach can typically be sown outdoors with minimal risk from frost. For zones 10 and 11, choose a heat-tolerant option like New Zealand spinach for the best performance. In zone 6 and below, stick to indoor sowing or wait until March to direct sow.
This leafy green matures quickly, often ready in as little as two months. For a steady supply, sow again every two weeks, focusing on tried-and-tested varieties like ‘Bloomsdale’ if you’re looking for reliable harvests.
Peas
Peas may look delicate, but they’re more cold-hardy than you think. If your soil temperatures are above 40°F (but preferably closer to 60°F), you can plant these vegetables in February without trouble. They love cool weather, making them a favorite for early planting.
Gardeners in cooler zones may opt for sowing indoors or using cold frames to protect young seedlings from harsh conditions. However, they will perform much better when sown directly into their final homes outdoors.
Choose snow peas or sugar snap peas known for their cold tolerance. ‘Sugar Daddy’ and ‘Oregon Sugar Pod II’ are great choices.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are classified as warm-season crops, so it may seem unnatural to start them now. But if you’re sowing indoors with the help of a few gadgets, February is a great time to plant these vegetables. This is reserved for zones 7 and above, to ensure your seedlings are ready for transplanting after all danger of frost has passed.
Sow seeds about 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date, allowing the seedlings to develop strong roots. Plant in larger trays or pots to give them plenty of room to grow in their initial containers. A grow light is also helpful indoors to produce strong seedlings.
Transplant to larger containers if the seedlings outgrow their starter pots before the final move outdoors. If you’re struggling to get temperatures up to the recommended 80°F in February, a heating mat will help.
Choose any one of these delicious vegetables to plant in February and you’ll have a great head start on the spring season.
