What to plant in February
What to start indoors, plant or sow outside, and harvest in February, for every hardiness zone from 3a to 10b. Find your zone, or enter your ZIP code for dates made for exactly where you live.
February in each zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Plant or sow outside | Harvest (food crops) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Onion, Leeks, Pansy / viola | — | — |
| Zone 3b | Onion, Leeks, Artichoke, Chives, Pansy / viola | — | — |
| Zone 4a | Onion, Leeks, Artichoke, Chives, Pansy / viola | — | — |
| Zone 4b | Kale, Cabbage, Onion, Parsley, Collard greens, Leeks, Artichoke, Chives, Lovage, Garlic chives, Snapdragon, Pansy / viola | — | — |
| Zone 5a | Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Onion, Parsley, Collard greens, Leeks, Celery, Artichoke, Chives, Lavender, Celeriac, Lovage, Garlic chives, Snapdragon, Black-eyed Susan, Petunia, Pansy / viola, Salvia, Vinca | — | — |
| Zone 5b | Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Parsley, Collard greens, Leeks, Celery, Artichoke, Chives, Lavender, Celeriac, Lovage, Garlic chives, Snapdragon, Black-eyed Susan, Petunia, Salvia, Vinca | — | — |
| Zone 6a | Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Parsley, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Leeks, Celery, Artichoke, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Lemon balm, Lavender, Celeriac, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives, Snapdragon, Black-eyed Susan, Petunia, Impatiens, Salvia, Vinca, Coleus | — | — |
| Zone 6b | Pepper, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Parsley, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Celery, Artichoke, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Lemon balm, Lavender, Sweet alyssum, Hot pepper, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Celeriac, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives, Snapdragon, Black-eyed Susan, Petunia, Impatiens, Salvia, Vinca, Coleus | — | — |
| Zone 7a | Pepper, Eggplant, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Parsley, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Celery, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Lemon balm, Lavender, Sweet alyssum, Hot pepper, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Celeriac, Stevia, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives, Snapdragon, Black-eyed Susan, Petunia, Impatiens, Salvia, Vinca, Coleus | Spinach, Peas, Snap peas, Mâche, Fava beans, Sweet pea | — |
| Zone 7b | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Celery, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Lemon balm, Lavender, Sweet alyssum, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Celeriac, Stevia, Marjoram, Catnip, Black-eyed Susan, Petunia, Impatiens, Salvia, Vinca, Coleus | Spinach, Radish, Peas, Onion, Snap peas, Mâche, Fava beans, Sweet pea | — |
| Zone 8a | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cauliflower, Basil, Brussels sprouts, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Lemon balm, Marigold, Sweet alyssum, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Malabar spinach, Cucamelon, Thai basil, Stevia, Marjoram, Catnip, Strawflower, Impatiens, Coleus | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Cabbage, Radish, Peas, Onion, Onion, Arugula, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Turnip, Shallots, Scallions, Snap peas, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Honeyberry, Mâche, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Broccoli raab, Fava beans, Sorrel, Currant, Gooseberry, Sweet pea, Bachelor's button, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Oats | — |
| Zone 8b | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Sweet potato, Basil, Cannabis regular, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Marigold, Sweet alyssum, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Malabar spinach, Cucamelon, Thai basil, Stevia, Marjoram, Strawflower | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Peas, Swiss chard, Potato, Onion, Onion, Cilantro, Parsley, Arugula, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Turnip, Shallots, Scallions, Snap peas, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Horseradish, Strawberry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Honeyberry, Chives, Chamomile, Calendula, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Mâche, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Fava beans, Sorrel, Sunchoke, Blackberry, Raspberry, Grape, Currant, Gooseberry, Elderberry, Apple tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, Apricot tree, Cherry tree, Plum tree, Catnip, Chervil, Lovage, Garlic chives, Sweet pea, Snapdragon, Bachelor's button, Phacelia, Pansy / viola, Peony, Rose, Crimson clover, Oats, White clover | — |
| Zone 9a | Tomato, Sweet potato, Basil, Cannabis regular, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Marigold, Cherry tomato, Malabar spinach, Cucamelon, Thai basil, Strawflower | Lettuce, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Swiss chard, Potato, Onion, Onion, Cilantro, Parsley, Arugula, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Turnip, Shallots, Scallions, Artichoke, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Horseradish, Strawberry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Honeyberry, Chives, Mint, Chamomile, Calendula, Sweet alyssum, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Sorrel, Sunchoke, Blackberry, Raspberry, Grape, Currant, Gooseberry, Elderberry, Apple tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, Apricot tree, Cherry tree, Plum tree, Catnip, Chervil, Lovage, Garlic chives, Snapdragon, Bachelor's button, Phacelia, Black-eyed Susan, Pansy / viola, Peony, Rose, Crimson clover, Oats, White clover | Radish, Asparagus |
| Zone 9b | Sweet potato, Cannabis regular | Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Swiss chard, Potato, Cilantro, Parsley, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, Leeks, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Celery, Artichoke, Horseradish, Strawberry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Chamomile, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Calendula, Sweet alyssum, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Celeriac, Sunchoke, Blackberry, Raspberry, Grape, Elderberry, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, Apricot tree, Cherry tree, Plum tree, Marjoram, Catnip, Chervil, Lovage, Garlic chives, Snapdragon, Phacelia, Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Milkweed, Petunia, Salvia, Hosta, Daylily, Peony, Rose, White clover | Spinach, Radish, Asparagus, Rhubarb |
| Zone 10a | — | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cucumber, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Sweet corn, Green beans, Dry beans, Okra, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Basil, Cannabis auto, Cannabis regular, Dill, Celery, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Marigold, Nasturtium, Zinnia, Cosmos, Sweet alyssum, Sunflower, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Peanuts, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Fig, Meyer lemon, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Strawflower, Dahlia, Gladiolus, Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Milkweed, Petunia, Impatiens, Geranium, Begonia, Salvia, Vinca, Coleus, Hosta, Daylily, Buckwheat | Lettuce, Spinach, Radish, Peas, Arugula, Mustard greens, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Mâche, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Broccoli raab |
| Zone 10b | — | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cucumber, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Sweet corn, Green beans, Dry beans, Okra, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Basil, Cannabis auto, Cannabis regular, Dill, Celery, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Rosemary, Tarragon, Lavender, Marigold, Nasturtium, Zinnia, Cosmos, Sunflower, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Peanuts, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Fig, Meyer lemon, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Strawflower, Dahlia, Gladiolus, Milkweed, Petunia, Impatiens, Geranium, Begonia, Salvia, Vinca, Coleus, Buckwheat | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Beet, Peas, Cilantro, Arugula, Bok choy, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Turnip, Scallions, Snap peas, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Mint, Mâche, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Broccoli raab, Sorrel, Chervil |
These follow each zone's average frost dates, and include fall crops. Crops planted in fall for next year (garlic, spring bulbs) show under planting.
Tips for February
- Start seeds in fresh seed-starting mix. Garden soil and last year's potting mix can carry the fungi that cause damping-off, which topples seedlings overnight. Fresh seed-starting mix is fine, light, and clean.
- Yellow sticky traps show what's flying. Hang one near seedlings or in the greenhouse. It catches fungus gnats and whiteflies, and shows you early what's around.
- Wash trays before you reuse them. Scrub off the old soil, soak trays and pots for 10 minutes in 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water, and rinse. It kills the fungi that cause damping-off.
- Don't start seeds too early. Tomatoes need about 6 to 8 weeks indoors, and peppers 8 to 10; squash and cucumbers only 3 to 4. Seedlings kept inside too long outgrow their pots and stall when you plant them out.
For a garden in the middle of the country (around zone 6). Colder places run a few weeks behind, warmer ones ahead.