Each year I think about when to start the gardening season and when to think about putting my seeds in the ground. I started growing some of the vegetables as seedlings. Last year I grew some chillies. The challenge is that you shouldn’t start too early but not too late. This is the tricky part.
But let’s leave the guesswork aside and focus on these proven vegetables.
Here is a list of the 10 Best Vegetables you can plant in February:
Table of Contents
1. Peas
Why They’re a Top Pick:
- Cold Tolerance: Peas are one of the few vegetables that can handle light frosts.
- Early Sowing: In many regions, peas can be sown outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked. Early planting leads to a longer season and early harvest.
- Soil Benefits: As legumes, peas help fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting subsequent plantings.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds directly into well-drained soil.
- Use a support system (trellis or netting) as they grow.
- Aim for a spacing of about 2 inches between seeds.
Peas can be successfully grown with just a few simple techniques. Despite their reputation for being difficult to cultivate, the key is to prepare the seeds and soil properly before planting.
Nicking or lightly scratching the seed coat can significantly improve germination, and choosing a well-draining, fertile medium is essential for healthy growth.
Sow the seeds about an inch deep with adequate spacing, watering them gently to avoid soil erosion, and installing a trellis early on to support the climbing vines.
Additionally, protecting the young plants from pests and carefully managing watering and fertilization can help prevent common issues like damping off and root rot.
2. Broad Beans (Fava Beans)
Why They’re a Top Pick:
- Robustness: Broad beans are known for their resilience against cold weather and can be sown when the soil is still cool.
- Season Extender: Planting in February means your broad beans can develop roots before the warmer months arrive.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds directly in the garden in early to mid-February.
- Choose a sunny, sheltered spot to help them thrive.
- Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
Broad beans, also known as fava beans, are a hardy legume perfect for early garden planting. They thrive in cool weather, making them ideal for sowing in the early months when the soil is still firm but starting to warm up.
These robust plants not only yield a nutritious harvest of beans but also improve soil fertility by naturally fixing nitrogen. With proper care and a well-draining, fertile medium, broad beans can establish strong roots and provide gardeners with both an early crop and enhanced soil health for subsequent plantings.
3. Spinach
Why It’s a Top Pick:
- Rapid Growth: Spinach grows quickly even in cool weather, meaning you can enjoy early greens.
- Frost Resistance: It tolerates light frost, making it an ideal candidate for February sowing.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds directly outdoors in rows or broadcast them in a cold frame.
- Use a mulch to help regulate soil temperature and moisture.
- Thin seedlings to about 3–4 inches apart for optimal growth.
Spinach is a versatile green that works wonderfully in salads, pasta, and smoothies, and it packs a nutritional punch with its high levels of iron and magnesium. Once planted, it grows rapidly—often yielding a harvest in just a few weeks—with minimal care beyond regular watering.
For optimal growth, ensure the soil is fertile and maintains a neutral pH to prevent premature bolting, and note that spinach thrives in USDA growing zones 2 through 11.
4. Radishes
Why They’re a Top Pick:
- Speed: Radishes are among the fastest-growing vegetables, often maturing in as little as three to four weeks.
- Frost Hardy: They can germinate and grow in cooler soils, making February an excellent time to sow them.
Planting Tips:
- Directly sow seeds in well-draining soil.
- Keep the soil consistently moist.
- Thin seedlings to about 1 inch apart to allow for proper bulb development.
Radish greens are not only edible but also add a subtle, peppery kick to salads and sandwiches. To keep these leaves tender and flavorful, it’s important to maintain consistent moisture, as a lack of water can cause them to become tough and fibrous.
Whether you’re growing radishes in a traditional garden bed or opting for container gardening on a balcony, these versatile plants adapt well to various settings, making them a great choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
5. Carrots
Why They’re a Top Pick:
- Early Start: While carrots are sometimes seen as a spring planting, sowing them in February (in milder climates or protected environments) allows for an extended harvest period.
- Soil Preparation: Early planting encourages the development of long, straight roots if the soil is well-prepared and free of stones.
Planting Tips:
- Work the soil to a fine tilth, as carrots prefer deep, loose soil.
- Sow seeds directly and thin the seedlings once they reach a few centimeters tall.
- Consider using row covers if a late frost is forecast.
Carrots can be quite challenging to grow in your garden. The long, slender varieties often seen in supermarkets are especially difficult since they take months to mature, leaving them vulnerable to soil insects that may start nibbling at their roots.
For a more successful harvest, consider starting with easier-to-grow varieties like Paris Market or Little Finger, which offer a satisfying crunchy texture and mature much faster.
These plants flourish best in well-drained, loose soil that allows their roots to spread quickly. Carrots are suitable for USDA growing zones 2 through 11.
6. Onions (from Sets)
Why They’re a Top Pick:
- Early Establishment: Planting onion sets in February gives them a head start, ensuring robust growth through the spring.
- Frost Tolerance: Many onion varieties can tolerate light frost, especially when established as sets rather than from seed.
Planting Tips:
- Plant sets in a sunny spot with fertile, well-draining soil.
- Space sets 4–6 inches apart.
- Ensure consistent moisture for steady growth.
Growing onions requires a little extra effort for a fruitful harvest. You have three planting options: using transplants, which is the easiest method; sowing seeds directly, though this approach can be more challenging, or planting small onion bulbs in rich organic soil to promote robust growth.
Although onions are adaptable to various temperatures, they tend to perform best in USDA zones 5 and 6. They also thrive in soils with an acidic pH, particularly those that are loamy or heavy clay in nature.
7. Leeks
Why They’re a Top Pick:
- Cool-Weather Crop: Leeks are hardy and can handle the chilly conditions of February.
- Long Season: They require a long growing period, so starting early means you’ll have ample time to develop long, flavorful stalks.
Planting Tips:
- Start seeds indoors in February for transplanting later, or plant small sets outdoors if the soil is workable.
- Provide a deep, rich soil to encourage thick stalk development.
- Space transplants about 6 inches apart.
Despite common misconceptions, growing leeks is relatively simple. For a strong harvest, start them indoors in the spring and then transplant them outdoors. Known scientifically as Allium porrum and belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, leeks thrive in temperatures between 55°F and 75°F.
They require well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 7 and benefit from high humidity (95-100%) and at least 8 hours of bright sunlight while avoiding extra nitrogen fertilizer.
8. Cabbage
Why It’s a Top Pick:
- Seed Starting: February is an ideal time to start cabbage seeds indoors, as they need several weeks to develop before being transplanted.
- Cold Tolerance: Once established, many cabbage varieties can tolerate cooler temperatures.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds indoors in seed trays or pots.
- Transplant seedlings when they have 3–4 true leaves and the risk of severe frost has diminished.
- Harden off plants before transplanting outdoors.
Kohlrabi, a German turnip originating from South and Southeast Asia, has a flavor reminiscent of broccoli stems or cabbage hearts but with a hint of sweetness. Before cooking, it’s important to peel off the tough, fibrous layers surrounding the bulbous stem, which adds a nutritious crunch to salads once prepared.
Scientifically known as Brassica oleracea Gongylodes and belonging to the Cruciferae family, kohlrabi thrives in temperatures between 60°F and 80°F, prefers loamy, well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 7.5, and benefits from organic matter-based fertilizer. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight and grows at a moderate rate, with an optimal humidity level of around 95%.
9. Broccoli
Why It’s a Top Pick:
- Indoor Sowing: Like cabbage, broccoli is best started indoors in February to give it a long growing season.
- Nutrient-Rich: Early planning ensures that broccoli matures when conditions are optimal for flavor and texture.
Planting Tips:
- Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last expected frost.
- Use a nutrient-rich, well-draining seed starting mix.
- Transplant seedlings into the garden once they have developed a few true leaves and the weather warms up.
Broccoli is a nutrient-dense, spring-loving vegetable that thrives in cooler weather. Rich in fiber, iron, folic acid, and potassium, it is considered a superfood.
To grow successfully, broccoli requires well-draining sandy or clay loam soil with a pH of 6 to 7, moderate sunlight (5–6 hours), and high humidity (90–95%). Ideal temperatures range from 65–70°F (18–22°C), and it benefits from compost or manure as fertilizer.
10. Cauliflower
Why It’s a Top Pick:
- Season Extension: February sowing (indoors) can lead to an extended season, allowing cauliflower to mature in optimal, cooler conditions which help maintain its delicate flavor and texture.
- Controlled Growth: Starting indoors helps avoid the erratic weather that can affect the head formation in cauliflower.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds indoors in February using quality seed trays and a controlled environment.
- Transplant when the seedlings are sturdy and after gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions.
- Ensure consistent moisture and avoid sudden temperature fluctuations.
Cauliflower is a highly nutritious vegetable that thrives in cool spring weather. However, it can be tricky to grow, as improper conditions may lead to small button flowers instead of a full head.
It requires rich, moist, well-draining soil with a pH of 6 to 7, at least 6 hours of sunlight, and high humidity (95–100%). Ideal temperatures range from 60–65°F (15.5–18.3°C), and it does not require fertilizer for optimal growth.
Additional Considerations
- Local Climate: Always adjust planting times based on your local frost dates and soil conditions. In milder climates or using protective methods (cold frames, cloches, or greenhouses), you might be able to plant some of these vegetables directly outdoors even in February.
- Indoor vs. Outdoor Sowing: For many of these crops (especially brassicas like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower), starting seeds indoors in February can lead to stronger transplants in early spring. Use quality seed starting mixes, and ensure adequate light (using grow lights if necessary).
- Soil Preparation: In February, soil moisture can be high and temperatures low. Prepare your soil by adding organic matter, ensuring good drainage, and, if needed, using raised beds to warm the soil faster in the spring.
- Frost Protection: Be prepared with frost covers or cloches, especially if unseasonably cold weather is forecasted. These simple measures can protect delicate seedlings and extend your growing season.
Conclusion
Planting in February offers an opportunity to get a head start on the growing season, whether you’re sowing seeds directly outdoors for hardy crops like peas, broad beans, and radishes, or starting seeds indoors for vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
The above list represents a blend of direct-sow and transplant candidates that are well-suited to the conditions typical of February in temperate regions. By considering your local climate and using the appropriate planting techniques, you can set the stage for a bountiful garden as spring arrives.
To a great start of the gardening season!
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.