You hear that rightfield , February is the everlasting calendar month to startle and grow your ejaculate into seedlings . For some , it may be a flake early . It may be moth-eaten , there is loads you’re able to commence sowing already ! Contrary to pop belief that it ’s proficient to wait , I believe February is the consummate clock time to startle various vegetables and herbs seed . you could begin with cold - hardy veggies for your springiness garden and also get ahead with warm - season crops for summertime .
This give you the chance to enjoy the gardening summons early on and to grow annual vegetables even in the moth-eaten part of wintertime . Plus , starting your seminal fluid now mean you ’ll be honour with an early harvest come spring and summer ! The trick is to habituate the best sprouting method for the case while factoring in the potential swings in February ’s weather condition .
Some of the crop require to be start from seed indoors and transplant outdoors when the weather is right . Others thrive well by direct sowing outside .
In this pathfinder , I ’ve put together a handy list of seed unadulterated for inseminate in February , consummate with tips on how to sow them and rear those early seedlings . Let ’s dive into making your garden thrive together !
1: Long-Season Peppers & Eggplants
farsighted - season capsicum pepper plant and eggplants that have a “ sidereal day to Harvest ” of 80 or more need to be started in February to get a decent crop by mid - to - late - summertime . rightful tropical peppers like Aji Dulce , need to be started on February 1stor preferably . Even with a proper passion mat , these seeds can take up to four weeks to pullulate !
How to Start Peppers and Eggplants in February
When inseminate late - season pepper seed , you want the soil temperature to be at least 65 degrees . Yet 80 degrees is even better , as these come are notorious for slow germination in cool dirt .
The ideal sowing deepness for pepper seeds is around half an column inch or double the width of the seminal fluid . Then they need more than an in of sluttish soil under the seed to give the ascendant enough depth to stand the seed leaf leaves that first come out on sprouting .
Pro Tip
Once pepper seedlings emerge from the soil , you need to absent them from the heat as before long as potential . Even the warmth of a heat mat will drive the seedling to grow overly long . Within a day or two they can get “ Leggy ” to the point of accrue over and wo n’t recuperate .
2: Tomatoes
you may protrude tomatoes indoors in February in zones 6 and warmer otherwise it ’s better to wait until early - to - mid - March . This will give thetomato seedlings the clock time they want to develop before plantingoutside when the warm day of bounce and early summertime preside over the land .
How to Start Tomato Seeds in February
I favor peat plugs for starting tomato seeds in February . This lets you take advantage of the tomato ’s ability to sprout roots from the radical when pot up .
Hydrate the peat plug and sink 2 to 3seeds half an column inch deep . Place in a heated potting tray that maintain the soil around 65 to 75 degrees .
Once the seedlings emerge , come out the peat chew at the bottom of a planting cupful . Then gently add loose pot ground right up to the bottom of the leaf . Tomato plants will course grow solution out of the submerged stem . you’re able to continue to add soil as the seedling arise toward the top of the pot . This will greatly reward its root base as an adult plant .
you’re able to implant tomato seedlings outside a calendar week or two after the average last frost engagement for your region .
3: Spinach
Spinach is arguably one of the good seeds to produce in February . It will grow content in coolheaded atmospheric condition and if you do n’t have it depart by the spring thaw , you ’ll be behind . As it be given to bolt easily after a few solar day in a bounce warm spell .
Spinach has shallow solution , which lets you originate an intact bed of it in a shallow tray in a cheery windowpane or under some grow visible radiation .
How to Grow Spinach Seeds in February
Spinach seeds ask to be planted roughly half an column inch deep with two inches between come and at least 12 inches between wrangle . you’re able to corrupt spinach in seed tape for loose stitchery .
stain temperature will greatly touch on germination time with spinach seed , which is one of the things that make them fickle for spring planting .
At a soil temperature of just 40 degrees , Spinacia oleracea can take two to three weeks to pullulate . If you put your spinach planting tray on top of a heated sprouting tray to keep the soil temperature around 70 degrees , it can germinate in less than 5 day !
Once the majority of the seeds germinate you postulate to take the spinach off the heat as soon as possible . Warm filth will make the spinach seedling to bolt , causing the leaves to be thin and bitter .
After a few week , you may move your spinach planting tray alfresco . The idealistic temperature for prickly-seeded spinach seedling is around 55 to 65 degrees .
4: Sugar Snap Peas
It ’s been said that every nurseryman is a gambler . If this fathom like you , then growing refined sugar snap pea in February is the ultimate high - risk , high - payoff thing you’re able to do with a little soil and some seeds . You just have to cognize how to dodge your bets !
Within every sugar snap pea , lie a challenging duality . Technically these “ Snow Peas ” will survive down to 20 grade . I ’ve had an entire battlefield of them get burned under 3 in of snow and did n’t lose a single plant life when it all melted 3 days later !
The problem is in frigid soil the mellow sugar subject matter inside the seeds will cause them to rot . Even if they do n’t rot in a few days , it can take weeks for refined sugar snap pea to pullulate in soil under 40 degree .
When you germinate them in 70 - degree soil , you’re able to be hallow with a tiny green seedling shoving its fashion through the filth in as niggling as 2 day .
How to Grow Sugar Snap Pea Seeds in February
you’re able to start the come in a folded besotted patch of paper towel in a germination tray set to 70 degrees . When you start to see bantam ascendant emerge from the pea seed , you may gently move it to idle potting soil , planting it an inch mysterious .
The root is very touchy , and if it reveal off the pea germ will kick the bucket . The pea itself might also be gentle , so you need to use a easy touch and cover it with loose potting stain .
Once the light-green shoots of each pea plant works are 2 inches tall above the soil , you could move them outside . order them in an area that convey substantial southeastern sun in the morning .
5: Kale & Collard Greens
Kale and collard greens are another cold - hardy green that you must plan in February to get the most out of it . Kale can get leathery in the heat of summer , yet can come back to life with even more smell in the fall , making it a swell dual - harvesting winner .
How to Grow Kale& Collards in February
Like snow pea , kale seeds germinate well in warm grease , around 60 to 65 degrees . Like spinach , it require to be establish around half an inch deep , and it ’s available as seed tape .
However , the space between plants and rows needs to be at least 12 to 18 inches . So , I find it ’s leisurely to start individual kale seedling in small peat pot . Rather than planting them in row followed by wasteful thinning .
6: Onion Seeds
If you want to turn onion from seed and have a decent production of scallions in spring and onions in the summer , you must start them in early February . This is the sentence of yr when it ’s virtually inconceivable to find Allium cepa sets in Zone 5 or cold-blooded , as they ca n’t pull round the endangerment of block in shipping .
How to Plant Onion Seeds in February
To get the good germination rate for planting onion seeds , you want to keep a incessant territory temperature of 70 to 75 degrees . If the soil temperature extend below 40 degrees , the germination process can stop and might not commence again . A sprouting heat mat preclude this problem .
The onion plant seeds should be planted half an inch deep and cross lightly with loose potting soil . You want to expend a watering scheme that moistens the soil without drenching it .
Once the onion seedling are approximately two inches tall , you may carefully remove them from the potting soil to plant them cryptical for scallion or shallowly mound for onion bulbs .
7: Brussels’ Sprouts
Starting Brussels ’ sprout seeds in February gives you the head start you take to get a good harvest in the summer . They have the longest metre to glean of any fellow member of the Brassica family .
How to Plant Brussels’ Sprouts Seeds in February
Soaking Brussels ’ sprout seed for 12 to 24 hours in warm piddle will help boost germination rate and time . Sow the come half an column inch mystifying and moisten them with warm water .
Just like snow pea , brussels sprouts germinate best in warm filth around 65 to 70 degrees . It ’s best to keep them over a heating plant mat , then move the seedlings off the oestrus as soon as they germinate .
When they ’re quick to move outdoors , you should slim down the seedling , or plant them at least inch apart . This will give the plant place to diffuse out and grow .
8: Broccoli
Broccoli is a great vegetable to go in February as it ’s naturally dusty hardy and prostrate to inflorescence or bolting in the oestrus of summertime . They also tend to be forgive if you could only give them 6 to 8 hours of natural light in the early days .
How to Plant Broccoli Seeds in February
gently fulfill peat sens with seed starter potting soil , and gently wet it . Place 2 to 3 seeds per cell and cover them with 1/2 column inch or loose potting dirt . Broccoli seed pullulate well in temperature between 60 to 75 degrees .
When the seeds spud , like a shot slenderize them so there ’s one broccoli seedling per cell . The seedling will necessitate at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun per sidereal day . If you need to augment with grow visible light , let down them to 2 to 4 column inch above the seedlings . This will prevent the Brassica oleracea italica from receive leggy and advance the kind of wooden-headed stalks it will need later to thrive outdoors .
9: Iceberg Lettuce
Planting iceberg lettuceseeds in February consecrate them the best hazard to form solid head before the heat of summer can involve them . However , iceberg lettuce does call for some slightly unlike growing techniques than romaine and loose - leafage sugar .
How to Grow Iceberg Lettuce in February
Starting iceberg lettuceseeds indoorsstarts with filling peat mickle with ejaculate starter potting admixture . The peat tidy sum make it prosperous to transplant the seedlings after with a come down risk of transplantation shock . It also makes it easier for the soil to retain wet as the seedling grows .
Plant 3 to 4 seed per jail cell and cover with 1/2 column inch or loose potting dirt . You want your heat energy mat to keep the soil in the cells around 60 to 70 degrees .
When the seedling come out , thin so there ’s just one plant life per cadre . Then transfer them from the high temperature to keep them from bolting or have long-legged .
Water the iceberg seedling near the roots without befog over the plants ’ leaves . Excess water can cause wilted spots on the point and could promote dampen off . When transplant into the garden , space the iceberg lettuce plantswith 12 inches between plants and 18 inches between rows .
10: Romaine and Looseleaf Lettuce
Romaine and looseleaf sugar are great to take up in February , as they do well in nerveless weather . Young seedlings can also be prone to damp off in the heavy rains of fountain , so pop out them indoors come your lettuce seedling off on the right foot . How to spring up Romaine Lettuce in February
Starting liberal leaf lettuce seeds indoors get going with sate peat pots with seed starter potting intermixture . The peat pot wee it easier to transplant the seedling later with reduced peril of transplanting shock . It also makes it easier for the soil to hold back moisture as the seedling grows .
Plant 2 to 3 seeds per cubicle and cover with 1/4 inch or loose potting soil . You want your heat matt to keep the soil in the electric cell around 65 to 70 degrees .
right away thin the seedlings after germinate so there ’s just one plant per cell . Then bump off them from the heating plant to keep them from bolting or getting leggy .
fulfill the potting tray with half an column inch of water . The peat pots and potting soil can then take in the wet from below to obviate the simoleons damping off .
11: Cabbage
One of the advantages of starting cultivated cabbage in February is to let it grow as much as potential before pests like cabbage moth , and their larva , get a chance to attack it .
However , you do have to be speedy about carry the cabbage off the heat once it germinate . pass on too long on the heat lusterlessness moolah seedling will farm leggy , rather than develop heads with a secure root base .
How to Grow Cabbage Seeds in February
you may start clams seeds in peat chew , but I get hold they ’re sluttish to work with if you start the seeded player in peat pots with cum starter potting mixing . They ’re easier to transplant afterwards and the soil keep back moisture better as the seedling grows .
Plant 2 to 3 source per cell , roughly 1/4 in recondite . You want your heating plant matte to keep the grease in the cell around 65 to 70 level .
Thin the cabbage seedling at once after pullulate so there ’s just one plant per cellular phone . Then take away them from the heat to keep them from cause leggy .
Lower your grow light down to 2 to 3 inch from the cabbage seedlings . This will promote head evolution and further cut back the hazard of the seedlings getting leggy .
When transplanting into the garden , space the wampum seedling with at least 12 inches between plants and 18 inches between rows . Ideally in a placement that get safe dawn visible radiation and partial tint from mid - good afternoon on . This will cut back the risk of sun scalding on the head in the heat of summertime .
12: Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a lovely vegetable to grow in February and beyond . It ’s colorful , flavorful , and reasonably cold - hardy . It also thrive for strawbale gardening ! Staring the seed indoors gives them a boost for the growing time of year , and lease you harvest them without worry in spring .
How to Grow Swiss Chard in February
I favour to plant Swiss chard come in peat pots in tardy February rather than peat plugs . It let me transplant the seedling directly to the planting beds when the outside weather is just good .
flora 1seed per cell , and cover with half an inch of seed starter potting soil . Ideally , the heat mat keeps the soil in the cells around 65 to 70 stage . Multiple shoots can hail from one seeded player . If you plant multiple seeds per prison cell , you wo n’t be able to safely thin the seedlings .
Remove the Swiss Chard seedlings from the heating within 24 to 48 time of day after germinating to keep them from getting long-legged . Lower your grow lights down to 2 to 3 inch to keep the shoots from growing too tall too tight . This is particularly of import with fluorescent lights , which can do the underside of the leaf to turn purpleness .
Transplant Swiss chard outside 2 to 4 week before the last freeze particular date for your region . It can manage temperatures down to the mid-20s . but will stop acquire under 32 academic degree . So , you do n’t want to put it out too too soon , and you may keep it indoors if the spring weather takes a play for the worse .
13: Radishes
Their superior cold lustiness and willingness to bolt in tender temperatures intend you truly need to plant Raphanus sativus in February to get a right harvest . They ’re great for planting in the same spot where you ’ll put high temperature - be intimate white pepper or eggplants , as the radishes get harvested just before you plant the seedling .
How to Plant Radish Seeds in February
As tooth root vegetables radish do n’t take well to direct transplantation . If you endure in Zone 6 or warmer , you may plant them directly into the garden seam in mid - to - late February , calculate on the local weather .
If you inhabit in zone 5 or cold , you canplant radish come in a containeror planter that provides at least 12 column inch of soil . It might be possible to plant radish seed in former February in a peat sens , and then transplant them to the pot bed when the priming coat thaws . The peat pot will decompose on its own as the origin fight through it .
14: Okra
Startingokra seedsin February is a good idea for Zone 5 and warm , as it let the plant fully matured by the peak of the summertime growing season . If gumbo is set in coolheaded soil under 70 degrees , it can sulk and linger .
How to Start Okra Seeds in February
When start okra seeds , I prefer to habituate peat pots with 2 to 3 inch of potting soil . Then I lay 2 to 3 Abelmoschus esculentus seeds on top of the territory and cover it with another ¾ to 1 - inch of loose potting soil . This astuteness helps the eventual seedling develop rich strong rootage .
Okra sleep with fond soil , but you still should n’t leave the seedlings on the heat flatness for more than 48 hours after they emerge .
limit into a tray with half an in of water . The peat hatful and the potting dirt will draw the piddle up to the Abelmoschus esculentus seedling ’s roots without the risk of damping them off . It also help to turn on an oscillating fan do too small . The air circulation helps prevent mold and damping off . It also gets the Hibiscus esculentus seedlings habituate to wind , which will be a cistron when the plant life starts fruit .
you’re able to transpose the okra seedling in the garden 3 to 4 weeks after the last average Robert Frost date for your region , or once the stain temperature reaches a uniform 70 level .
Conclusion
There are a passel of seeds that you need to get going in February to make the most out of cool soil conditions or give yourself the good probability of a bountiful summer harvesting .
Radishes , prickly-seeded spinach , and C. P. Snow pea plant top the tilt , for cool - season success . you may also start out eggplants , tomatoes , and former - season peppers to make certain the plants are mature enough to farm by midsummer .
The challenge with starting any semen in February is making certain you have the right soil temperature for optimal germination . If the soil is too cold and wet the seeds might rot before they get a opportunity to germinate .
Most seedling need to be taken off the heat and allow to grow in nerveless soil after they go forth . admit late - season Madagascar pepper and eggplants , which can become leggy and fall over if they ’re left in warm territory for even a day too long on a heat Master of Arts in Teaching .
pen By
Amber Noyes was born and raised in a suburban California townspeople , San Mateo . She withstand a master ’s degree in horticulture from the University of California as well as a BS in Biology from the University of San Francisco . With experience working on an constitutional farm , water conservation inquiry , Fannie Farmer ’ markets , and plant glasshouse , she interpret what makes plants expand and how we can advantageously understand the association between microclimate and plant health . When she ’s not on the land , Amber loves informing people of Modern ideas / things refer to horticulture , specially organic gardening , houseplant , and growing plant in a small-scale space .
