15 Seeds to Plant in February

February is a good time in many places to get started with your spring seed starting. With final frost dates on the horizon, it's prime time to prep your plants for the spring vegetable garden. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss for seeds you can start this February.

A pile of ripe Solanum lycopersicum ‘Italian Roma’ tomatoes with smooth, bright red skin and green stems still attached.

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Starting seeds in February is a wonderful way to get your spring garden off to an early start. Starting your indoor seeds now will mean stronger, more robust seedlings when it’s time to transplant. Sowing directly in the garden as soon as the ground is workable means your seeds will germinate as soon as the soil is at the right temperature. 

When making the decision about planting time, it’s important to give attention to your zone. Gardeners in warmer climates will naturally begin planting earlier than those in cold climates. For those in colder climates, February is still a good time for getting those indoor seeds sprouted and growing. 

Let’s talk about some things you can get started on this month, even if you’ve still got some cold weather ahead. I’ll go over which seeds you should start indoors, along with those that you plant right in the garden. 

Spinach

Bloomsdale Spinach Seeds

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Bloomsdale Spinach Seeds

Eggplant

Black Beauty Eggplant Seeds

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Black Beauty Eggplant Seeds

Cauliflower

Twister Cauliflower Seeds

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Twister Cauliflower Seeds

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Indoors:

A pile of ripe Solanum lycopersicum ‘Italian Roma’ tomatoes with smooth, bright red skin and green stems still attached.
Start seeds indoors while waiting for the cold to pass.

In most climates, it’s still rather cold in February, too cold to plant much outside in your beds. If the ground is still frozen, it’s not quite time yet. However, there are plenty of seeds you can start now indoors. 

Cauliflower ‘Twister’

A fresh Brassica oleracea var. botrytis with a dense, creamy white head and a few light green leaves, placed on a wooden surface.
Grow your cauliflower in the fall and even into the winter months in warm climates.
common-name common name Cauliflower ‘Twister’
botanical-name botanical name Brassica oleracea var. botrytis ‘Twister’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 24”-30”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Start your cauliflower indoors and about a month to six weeks before your last anticipated frost date. They need warm soil to germinate, but they will grow nicely in cool weather. In warm climates, you can grow cauliflower in the fall and even into the winter months. 

Cauliflower is frost tolerant, so even if you get a light frost after planting, your young plants should be fine. ‘Twister’ has fun, wrapping leaves that appear to swirl around the heads. These leaves act as protection from sun scald, making this a great variety for warmer areas, too. 

Eggplant ‘Black Beauty’

Solanum melongena ‘Black Beauty’ with Flowers Alt Text: A Solanum melongena ‘Black Beauty’ plant with glossy, deep purple eggplants hanging from thick green stems, next to light purple flowers with yellow centers.
These slow growers need early planting.
common-name common name Eggplant ‘Black Beauty’
botanical-name botanical name Solanum melongena ‘Black Beauty’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 24”-30”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-12

It’s a good idea to get your eggplants started as early as possible. They are slow growers, particularly during the cooler months. If you start them ahead of time and transplant them, you’ll get faster growth than if you put them in the ground after the last frost. Transplant when the soil temperature makes it to about 70°F (21°C). 

‘Black Beauty’ is an heirloom variety that has been around for over 100 years. It produces large, glossy fruits that are such a dark shade of purple they are almost black. They have tender skin and unrivaled flavor. They’ll be ready to harvest about 80 from the time you transplant them.

Celery ‘Utah’

A healthy Apium graveolens ‘Utah’ plant with bright green, deeply serrated leaves growing from thick stems in soil.
Pant early indoors with ample light for better germination.
common-name common name Celery ‘Utah’
botanical-name botanical name Apium graveolens ‘Utah’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 10”-30”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-10

Crunchy, delicious, and full of fiber, celery is great for making all sorts of recipes. It takes a long time to mature, between 100-200 days, so early planting is important. You’ll want to get your celery started indoors up to three months ahead of your last frost date. They germinate around 70°F (21°C), so waiting to get them planted outdoors can mean not enough time to mature. This is a fall harvest crop. 

‘Utah’ is an heirloom, and it’s frost tolerant. In mild climates, you can continue to plant until late spring for stalks that mature in winter. In cooler climates, the sooner you start, the better. These seeds need light to germinate, so lightly press them into the surface of your seed starting mix. 

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Collards ‘Georgia Southern’

A fully grown Brassica oleracea var. capitata with broad, overlapping green leaves tightly wrapping around a central head.
Sow seeds in the fall to give them that bit of sweetness from the cool weather.
common-name common name Collards ‘Georgia Southern’
botanical-name botanical name Brassica oleracea var. viridis ‘Georgia Southern’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 24”-36”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

In warmer climates, the time to start collards is in the fall. These greens need warm soil to germinate, but they like a bit of frost to sweeten up their leaves. In cooler climates, you can make this happen by starting them indoors and transplanting them a couple of weeks before the last frost date. This way, they get some cool weather to give them that bit of sweetness.

‘Georgia Southern’ is another heirloom with roots in the early 1800s. The leaves are large and sturdy when mature. When they’re young, the leaves are tender enough to eat raw in salads. This variety is good for planting in containers, so you can work the soil sooner and give them some chilly weather

Onions ‘Gladstone’

A heap of smooth, round Allium cepa ‘Gladstone’ onions with papery white skin and small dried roots at the bottom.
Start seeds indoors for bigger bulbs.
common-name common name Onions ‘Gladstone’
botanical-name botanical name Allium cepa ‘Gladstone’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 4”-5”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-10

Onions are an exception to other root vegetables when it comes to getting them started. You can get them going indoors up to three months before your last first date and transplant them as soon as you can work the ground. This will give you the biggest bulbs.

There’s no denying that onions deserve a place at the table. They appear in nearly every type of cuisine. They are some of the most versatile foods you can grow. ‘Gladstone’ is a lovely, crisp, white onion with a mild flavor and thin, papery skin. It’s great for cooking or eating raw and even stands up to pickling. 

Tomatoes ‘Italian Roma’

Several ripe, oval-shaped Solanum lycopersicum ‘Roma’ tomatoes with smooth red skin hanging from a green vine.
For vigorous growth, transplant tomatoes after the last frost.
common-name common name Tomatoes ‘Italian Roma’
botanical-name botanical name Solanum lycopersicum ‘Italian Roma’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 36”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-11

In mild climates, the time for planting tomatoes is right around the corner. Tomatoes transplant well, so these are good for starting indoors. You should transplant them a week or two after your last anticipated frost. They do their most vigorous growing when the soil reaches 70°F (21°C). 

If you’re looking for a tasty variety for canning, ‘Italian Roma’ is at the top of the list. Sweet and flavorful, with dense flesh that stands up to cooking, canning, and just about every other preparation. This is a determinate variety, so your bumper crop will mature at the same time, making it easy to preserve them at once. 

Broccoli ‘Di Cicco’

A fully grown Brassica oleracea var. italica with a dense, green broccoli head and thick stalk, surrounded by dark green leaves.
Fall planting is beneficial, producing well into spring and summer.
common-name common name Broccoli ‘Di Cicco’
botanical-name botanical name Brassica oleracea var. italica ‘Di Cicco’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 24”-36”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Broccoli performs well in mild climates with fall planting. Everywhere else, plan to start your broccoli seeds early in the season. This way, they will have plenty of the cool weather they prefer to do most of their growing. Don’t worry about a surprising late frost. Broccoli is frost-tolerant.

‘Di Cicco’ is an Italian heirloom with good heat tolerance, so it has a long season. Harvest the central head when it’s about three inches across. This will encourage branching, so your plants will produce well into the spring and even summer months. 

Cabbage ‘Copenhagen Market’

Several Brassica oleracea ‘Copenhagen Market’ cabbages growing in a garden bed, with round, tightly packed green heads and broad leaves.
Enjoy a tastier, crunchier harvest with the help of cool weather.
common-name common name Cabbage ‘Copenhagen Market’
botanical-name botanical name Brassica oleracea ‘Copenhagen Market’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 12”-16”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Crunchy cabbage is easy to grow, and like most green veggies, it likes a bit of cool weather to improve the flavor. Get your cabbage growing about two months ahead of that frost date. They need warmth to germinate. Transplant them outdoors two to four weeks ahead so they get some of those frosty temperatures. 

‘Copenhagen Market’ is an heirloom dating back to 1909. It’s a long-time gardener favorite that produces dense, compact heads with a tasty flavor and excellent crunch factor. This variety stores well, so grow plenty of it. You can store it for up to six months.

Peppers ‘California Wonder’

A large, glossy red Capsicum annuum ‘California Wonder’ bell pepper hanging from a green stem, surrounded by broad green leaves.
Warm soil ensures germination and big, beautiful fruits.
common-name common name Peppers ‘California Wonder’
botanical-name botanical name Capsicum annuum ‘California Wonder’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 18”-30”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Peppers are warm-weather vegetables, but there’s no reason you can get them growing early, especially in mild climates. They need warm soil to germinate, so use a heating mat for great results. Wait to transplant them until nighttime temperatures stay about 55°F. It’s fine to start them as many as 10 weeks ahead of transplanting. 

There are a myriad of peppers to choose from in a rainbow of colors. ‘California Wonder’ is a large variety of bell pepper that produces big, beautiful, nicely shaped fruits. It’s been around since 1928 and has made a name for itself as a consistently great performer

Outdoors:

A Brassica oleracea ‘Purple Vienna’ kohlrabi with a round, purple bulb growing just above the soil, with long pale green stems reaching upward.
Sow hardy seeds as soon as the ground is workable for best growth.

While it’s still pretty cold in many parts of the country, there are some seeds that you can directly sow as soon as the ground is workable. These vegetables grow best when you put them straight into the ground rather than transplanting them. 

Spinach ‘Bloomsdale’

A dense cluster of Spinacia oleracea ‘Bloomsdale’ spinach with dark green, crinkled leaves growing close to the ground.
Direct sow a month before frost for sweet, fast-growing greens ready in 4–8 weeks.
common-name common name Spinach ‘Bloomsdale’
botanical-name botanical name Spinacea oleracea ‘Bloomsdale’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 6”-8”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Spinach is one of the most popular greens and packs a major nutritional punch. Whether you prefer to eat it raw, steamed, baked into a quiche, or blended into a smoothie, it’s great for you! It’s also an easy, cool-weather crop that matures quickly and doesn’t mind a frost or two. In fact, frost makes it sweeter!

For a reliable, robust spinach, try the ‘Bloomsdale’ variety. An early 1800s heirloom, this spinach has made quite a name for itself. Drop these seeds directly in the garden about a month before your last frost date. You’ll be able to harvest baby greens in as few as four weeks and fully mature leaves in six to eight.

Radishes ‘Cherry Belle’

A handful of freshly harvested Raphanus sativus ‘Cherry Belle’ radishes with round, bright red roots and leafy green tops still attached.
A crisp, mild, and award-winning snack, they thrive in cold weather and are ready to sow weeks before the frost.
common-name common name Radishes ‘Cherry Belle’
botanical-name botanical name Raphanus sativus ‘Cherry Belle’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 2”-3”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Radishes are root veggies, so direct sowing is best and produces the nicest roots. They like cold weather, so you can sow them as far as six weeks ahead of your last frost date. Plant them in a raised bed for faster germination, as raised bed soil warms up sooner. 

‘Cherry Belle’ is a perfect, little snacking radish. This All-America winner has a mild flavor and a crisp and snappy texture. They are beautiful on a veggie tray, sliced into a salad, or on a sandwich. These mature in under a month!

Swiss Chard ‘Celebration’

Tall plants with broad, crinkled leaves in shades of dark green are supported by strikingly colorful stalks in yellow, red, orange, and pink.
Let a touch of frost enhance the flavor and enjoy a harvest of vibrant colors.
common-name common name Swiss Chard ‘Celebration’
botanical-name botanical name Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris ‘Celebration’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height Up to 20”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Swiss chard can fall into both groups depending on your climate. In warmer areas, it’s a good time to sow them directly in the garden. A month before the last freeze date works well for this leafy green vegetable. In cooler climates, give them a few weeks of growing indoors and transplant about a month ahead of that freeze date. 

Like other greens, chard appreciates some cold weather, and a frost will improve the flavor. I love colorful vegetables, and the ‘Celebration’ variety is bright and cheery in addition to being delicious. The stems are shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, and white. These colors extend into the veining, contrasting beautifully with the glossy green leaves. 

Beets ‘Touchstone Gold’

Round, orange-red root vegetables with slender green stems and roots at the bottom, placed on a wooden surface.
Harvest nutritious, earthy root vegetables in late spring.
common-name common name Beets ‘Touchstone Gold’
botanical-name botanical name Beta vulgaris ‘Touchstone Gold’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 12”-18”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Warm-climate gardeners can plant beet seeds in February for a late spring harvest. Beets are earthy, nutritious root vegetables, and they like to go right into the dirt. Transplanting is not ideal and may result in malformed beets. 

‘Touchstone Gold’ is a mild, sweet variety with a gorgeous golden tone. The outer skin is bright orange with a lighter golden core. Golden cultivars aren’t always as reliable as red, but this one is an excellent performer.

Kohlrabi ‘Purple Vienna’

A bulbous, purple root vegetable with stout purple stems and broad, green lobed leaves extending outward.
With this beautiful purple variety, add a sweet and slightly peppery flavor to your stir fries and salads.
common-name common name Kohlrabi ‘Purple Vienna’
botanical-name botanical name Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes ‘Purple Vienna’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 10”-12”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Kohlrabi looks like it might be a large turnip or radish growing above ground. It’s actually a closer relative of cabbage. This brassica likes chilly weather and will tolerate frost. You can plant them in February, and they will germinate when the soil reaches 45°F (7°C). You can start these indoors in colder climates and directly sow in warm ones. 

Grow the heirloom variety ‘Purple Vienna’ to add color and flavor to your stir fries and salads. It’s not just a beautiful purple vision in the garden; it tastes great, too. Kohlrabi has a sweet and slightly peppery flavor.

Arugula ‘Astro’

Narrow, deeply lobed green leaves growing from thin, tender stems close to the ground.
This is a popular and reliable variety with a mustardy flavor.
common-name common name Arugula ‘Astro’
botanical-name botanical name Eruca vesicaria ‘Rocket’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 8”-24”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2-11

Arugula is a delicate green with a strong and unique flavor. Tart and peppery, arugula makes a nice addition to salads on sandwiches and a good pizza topping, too! They need a soil temperature of at least 40°F (4°C) to germinate, so in mild climates, you can directly sow these in February. In cooler places, hold off until a month before your last frost date. 

‘Rocket’ is a popular and reliable variety with a mustardy flavor. The baby greens will be ready to harvest in under a month, or you can let them mature for a heartier green if you want to cook them.

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