What to Grow in February – Start These Seeds NOW!
February may feel like the deep freeze of winter, but guess what? Your garden doesn’t have to wait! Smart gardeners (like YOU) know that this is the perfect time to get a head start on the growing season.
By planting the right seeds indoors and outdoors, you’ll enjoy an earlier, bigger, and better harvest this year! In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What seeds to start indoors this month.
- What cold-hardy crops can be planted outside.
- Which vegetables you can harvest right now.
- Essential soil prep and pruning tips to set your garden up for success.
Let’s dig in!
Chapters
What to Grow in February [Video Overview]
February Kickoff
The Season Starts Now
The Indoor Head Start
It's cold outside, but these need to start now for a summer harvest.
Heat Lovers
Secret Tip: Broad Beans
Pre-soak your Broad Bean seeds overnight before planting indoors. It significantly speeds up germination!
Brave the Cold
Yes, you can plant these outside in February if the soil isn't frozen.
Carrots & Parsnips
Sow them now! The cold actually helps Parsnip seeds germinate. February carrots are often the sweetest.
Broad Beans & Peas
Super hardy. Plant them deep. Use a cloche or fleece if a hard frost is forecast.
Radishes
The fastest crop. Plant under cover and you could be harvesting in just 3-4 weeks.
The February Checklist
Pruning Time
Do it nowThis is your last chance to prune dormant fruit before sap rises.
- Apple & Pear Trees (Remove crossing branches)
- Raspberry Canes (Cut autumn-fruiting types to the ground)
- Gooseberries & Currants
Feed the Soil
Spread compost or manure on beds now. It needs a few weeks to settle before planting.
Tip: Cover empty beds with cardboard to stop early weeds!
Harvest Now
Winter crops are at their sweetest thanks to the frost turning starches into sugars.
Can I plant outside?
February weather is tricky. Check your soil first.
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Our February Garden Tour [Video]
Step 1: Why February is the Perfect Time to Start Growing
Many people think February is too early for gardening. But here’s the truth—this is the BEST time to get ahead of the game!
- Cool-season crops thrive in February – Some veggies actually love the cold!
- Starting seeds indoors means stronger plants – Giving seedlings a head start indoors creates healthier transplants.
- Early planting = early harvest – The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be eating homegrown veggies!
Fun Fact: Some seeds NEED cold temperatures to germinate. Parsnips, for example, require a chilling period to sprout!
Step 2: What to Start Indoors in February
Want bigger, stronger plants by spring? Start these seeds indoors now!
- Best seeds to start indoors:
- Brassicas: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi.
- Warm-season crops: Eggplants, cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes.
- Leafy greens: Lettuce, leeks, onions.
- Perennials: Artichokes.
Pro Tips for Indoor Growing:
- Use heat mats for peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants—they need warmth to sprout!
- Maintain humidity by covering seed trays with plastic domes or misting regularly.
- Improve airflow with a small fan to prevent mold and weak stems.
Secret Tip: Pre-soak broad bean seeds overnight before planting indoors—it speeds up germination!
Step 3: What to Plant Outdoors in February
Yes, you CAN plant outside in February—if you choose cold-hardy crops!
- Cold-hardy crops to sow outdoors:
- Broad beans – Super tough and perfect for early planting!
- Carrots & parsnips – The cold helps their seeds germinate better!
- Peas – Give them mulch, and they’ll thrive!
- Radishes – Grow super fast, even in chilly weather!
How to Protect Outdoor Crops from Frost:
- Use cloches or row covers to trap warmth.
- Apply mulch around seedlings to prevent frost damage.
- Plant in raised beds or containers for better drainage.
Pro Tip: Sow carrots in February for the SWEETEST harvest! Cold temperatures reduce bitterness!
Step 4: What You Can Harvest in February
Don’t forget, some crops are ready to harvest RIGHT NOW!
- Winter Superstars You Can Pick Today:
- Broccoli & Brussels sprouts – The frost actually makes them sweeter!
- Cabbage & cauliflower – Perfect for slaws and soups!
- Carrots & parsnips – Cold temps enhance their natural sweetness!
- Kale & chicory – Tough, nutrient-packed greens!
- Leeks & lettuce – Keep those fresh salads coming!
- Swede (rutabaga) – A true winter warrior!
Fun Fact: Brussels sprouts taste TWICE as sweet after a frost because the plant converts starches into sugars for protection!
Step 5: Get Your Soil Ready for Spring
Before spring arrives, give your soil some love!
- Feed Your Soil – Add compost and organic fertilizers now for nutrient-rich beds.
- Sharpen Your Tools – Dull tools = messy cuts and sad plants.
- Plan Your Garden Layout – Rotating crops helps prevent pests and disease.
- Stock Up on Seeds – The best varieties sell out FAST!
Secret Tip: Want fewer weeds in spring? Cover empty garden beds with cardboard or mulch NOW! This smothers weeds before they sprout!
Step 6: Prune Fruit Trees & Berry Bushes
February is the BEST time to prune fruit trees and berry bushes before they wake up in spring!
- Trim apple & pear trees to remove dead or crossing branches.
- Prune raspberries, blueberries & blackberries for better fruit production.
- Cut back overgrown shrubs to shape them for the season.
Pro Tip: Use sharp, clean shears to prevent disease and encourage healthy growth!
Step 7: Essential Gardening Tools to Invest in This Month
A great gardener is only as good as their tools! Here are must-have items for February gardening:
- Grow Lights – Perfect for starting seeds indoors!
- Seed Trays & Heat Mats – Help seedlings thrive.
- Mulch & Row Covers – Protect outdoor plants from frost.
- Sharp Pruners – Essential for tree and shrub maintenance.
- Compost Bin – Start making your own garden gold!
Money-Saving Tip: Check local garden centers for end-of-season discounts on tools and supplies!
Step 8: Crazy February Gardening Fact!
Here’s a mind-blowing fact: Some seeds can survive for THOUSANDS of years!
Scientists once discovered a 2,000-year-old date palm seed in an ancient ruin, and IT STILL GREW when they planted it!
So if you have old seed packets lying around, don’t toss them! They might still sprout!
Final Thoughts – Get Growing NOW!
February may be cold, but your garden doesn’t have to wait!
- Start seeds indoors for strong spring transplants.
- Plant cold-hardy veggies outside for an early harvest.
- Harvest winter crops still growing in your garden.
- Prune trees & prep soil to set yourself up for success.
The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be harvesting homegrown food!
FAQ: What to Grow in February
What can I plant in February outside?
In mild areas and in workable soil, February can be a good month for cold-hardy direct sowing such as broad beans, carrots, parsnips, early beetroot, salad onions, lettuces, radish, spinach, and summer cabbages. If your soil is cold/wet/heavy, it’s often better to wait until March when it warms up.
What seeds should I start indoors in February?
February is a classic time to start seeds under cover. In temperate climates, gardeners often begin tomatoes, chillies, cucumbers, and aubergines indoors (especially for greenhouse growing), and also start lettuce and other salad crops under cover.
Is it too early to start tomatoes in February?
Not necessarily. Many guides recommend sowing tomatoes from mid-February onward (especially if you can provide warmth/light). The key is keeping seedlings from getting leggy: bright light and steady warmth matter more than the calendar.
What can I sow in February in a greenhouse or cold frame?
If you have a greenhouse/cold frame, you can start early crops such as lettuces and salad crops under cover, and in some setups you can sow spinach and winter purslane earlier than outdoors.
Can I sow broad beans in February?
Yes. Broad beans are a common February sowing in milder conditions (or with protection like cloches/fleece), and they can also be started in trays/pots under cover if it’s still cold.
What vegetables can I harvest in February?
Depending on what you planted earlier and your winter weather, you may still be harvesting kale, leeks, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli in February.
What’s the easiest thing to grow in February for beginners?
If you want quick wins, focus on easy, cold-tolerant crops and protected sowing. Under cover, lettuce/salad crops are commonly recommended as early sowings. If you’re sowing outdoors in mild conditions, radishes are a classic fast crop.
Can I sow carrots in February?
Sometimes, yes. In mild regions with light, well-drained soil, carrots can be sown outside in February. If your soil is cold and sticky (heavy clay), hold off until it warms a bit, or prep and cover the bed to help it warm faster.
What flowers can I sow in February?
If you want flowers too, late winter is when some gardeners use frost sowing (scattering seeds on snow/frozen soil) for certain cold-hardy plants, including some wildflowers. This works best for species that benefit from cold stratification.
What should I do if it’s still freezing in February?
If your ground is frozen or waterlogged, don’t fight it. Use protection and “under cover” options:
- Start seeds indoors/greenhouse
- Use cloches/fleece/row covers to warm soil and protect seedlings
- Prep beds when soil is workable (not muddy)
What’s the best way to choose what to grow in February for my area?
Use two filters:
- Your last frost date / hardiness zone (so you know what can go outside)
- Your soil conditions (light vs heavy, wet vs workable)
Many February planting guides stress that what you can plant depends heavily on your zone and local winter conditions.
Can I really start sowing in February, or should I wait for March?
You can start in February, but think “under cover first.” Many official gardening calendars recommend February sowing under cover and moving outdoors as conditions improve, especially if your soil is still cold.