What to Plant in February — Zone-by-Zone Seed Starting Guide 2026

What to plant in February by USDA hardiness zone

Zones 5–6 — The indoor growing season builds momentum

February in Zones 5-6 still means frozen or near-frozen ground, but your indoor growing operation should be running at full capacity. This is the critical month for slow-developing crops.

• Start peppers and eggplant now (highest priority): Peppers and eggplant need 10-12 weeks from seed to transplant-ready size, and they're slow to germinate and grow. Starting in February means transplant-ready plants for late April or May. They need 75-85°F (24-29°C) soil temperature to germinate — use a seedling heat mat. Once sprouted, keep under grow lights 14-16 hours/day.
• Start onions if you haven't yet: January is ideal, but February onion starts still work for May transplanting. Sow densely in a 1020 flat, keep at 60-65°F. Trim back to 2 inches when they reach 4 inches tall — this produces stockier transplants.
• Start celery (if growing): Celery needs 10-12 weeks indoors and is the fussiest seed to start. Sow on the surface (needs light to germinate), keep moist at 70°F (21°C). Germination is slow (14-21 days) and uneven — be patient.
• Hold on tomatoes: Zone 5-6 gardeners should wait until late February or early March for tomatoes. Starting in early February means 12+ weeks of indoor growth — plants will be too large and stressed by transplant time.

Zones 7–8 — Indoor starts plus first outdoor plantings

February in Zone 7-8 (Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Northwest, Upper South) brings the first real outdoor planting opportunities, while the indoor operation runs in parallel.

• Direct sow peas outdoors (Zone 7-8): Peas are frost-tolerant and can go in the ground as soon as it can be worked (soil temperature above 40°F / 4°C). In Zone 7 (Mid-Atlantic), this is typically late February. In Zone 8 Pacific Northwest, even earlier. Sow 1 inch deep, 2-3 inches apart, in double rows 6 inches wide. Set up support netting at planting time.
• Start tomatoes indoors (Zone 7-8): With a last frost around March 15 - April 15 depending on your exact location, starting tomatoes in mid-to-late February gives the right 6-8 week lead time. Use a heat mat (70-75°F) for germination, then move under grow lights once sprouted.
• Start peppers and eggplant (Zone 7-8): Begin in the first week of February for Zone 7 (later transplant date means more lead time needed). Zone 8 can start peppers in mid-February.
• Transplant cold-hardy brassicas outdoors (Zone 8): Broccoli, cabbage and kale transplants started in December-January can go outside in Zone 8 with row cover protection in late February. The Pacific Northwest sees its first real outdoor transplanting this month.
• Cold frame harvest continues: Mâche, claytonia, spinach, kale and arugula continue producing in cold frames through February, often better than January as day length increases.

Zones 9–11 — Succession planting and summer crop preparation

February in warm-winter zones is a peak gardening month. Cool-season crops planted in October-November are in full production, and it's time to start planning the summer garden while keeping the cool-season rotation going.

• Succession planting cool-season crops: Continue direct sowing lettuce, spinach, arugula, cilantro, radishes, beets, and carrots every 2-3 weeks. These crops will bolt in April-May when heat arrives, so maximizing February and March harvests is the strategy.
• Start tomatoes and peppers indoors (Zone 9): Zone 9 gardeners start tomatoes and peppers in February for March-April transplanting. Zone 9a (last frost February 15-28) should start in early February. Zone 9b can start mid-February.
• Direct sow tomatoes outdoors (Zone 10-11): Zone 10-11 gardeners can direct sow tomatoes and even transplant pepper seedlings outdoors in February. The summer heat crop season begins now.
• Plant potatoes (Zone 9-11): February is potato planting month in warm zones. Cut seed potatoes into pieces with 2-3 eyes each, cure for 2-3 days, then plant 4 inches deep, 12 inches apart.
• Peas finishing (Zone 10-11): Peas planted in fall are finishing up by February in the warmest zones. Harvest pods regularly to extend production. Once plants decline in late February, pull them and replant with a summer crop.

February planting calendar by USDA zone

The February seed starting system: peppers first

The key insight for February seed starting is the order of priority — and it runs opposite to what most gardeners expect. Peppers and eggplant, not tomatoes, should be your first February task. Here's why the timing matters so much.

Why peppers need more time than tomatoes

A tomato seed germinated in early March will be a healthy 6-inch transplant by late April or May — the right size for outdoor planting. The same tomato started in early February will be a 14-inch, root-bound, struggling plant by transplant time.

Peppers are different. They germinate more slowly (10-21 days vs 7-10 for tomatoes), grow more slowly, and spend more time in the seedling stage before developing the woody stem structure that makes a good transplant. A pepper plant that emerges in mid-February will be the right size in early May — exactly when the soil is warm enough for transplanting in most zones.

Pepper germination requirements

• Soil temperature: 75-85°F (24-29°C). Below 70°F, germination drops sharply and can take 4-6 weeks. A seedling heat mat is the single most important tool for February pepper starting.
• Depth: ¼ inch (0.6 cm). Pepper seeds are small and shouldn't be buried deeply.
• Moisture: Keep consistently moist until germination. Cover with a humidity dome or plastic wrap.
• Light after germination: As soon as seedlings emerge, move to bright light immediately. Peppers etiolate (stretch) faster than tomatoes in low light conditions.
• Patience: Even with optimal conditions, pepper germination takes 10-14 days. Don't give up on a tray after a week.

February garden tasks beyond seed starting

• Order any remaining seeds: February is genuinely the last call for specialty varieties. Heirloom tomatoes, unique pepper varieties, and interesting squash types sell out at seed companies by March. If you haven't ordered yet, do it this week.
• Soil preparation (where ground isn't frozen): In Zone 7+ where beds can be worked, February is a good time to spread compost on empty beds and work it in. It will have 6-8 weeks to settle before spring planting begins.
• Prune dormant fruit trees: February is still a good pruning window for apples, pears, plums, and cherries in most zones. Trees are still dormant but buds are beginning to swell. Clean cuts, no wound paint, and remove crossing/crowded branches.
• Check cold frames and row covers: Inspect for tears or damage from winter weather. A torn row cover that lets in cold air during a late frost event in March can damage transplants you've been growing indoors for 8 weeks.
• Plan succession sowings: Map out a sowing schedule for spring and summer — every 2-3 weeks for lettuce, every 3-4 weeks for beans and radishes. Having a written schedule prevents the feast-or-famine cycle of all your crops being ready at once.

Frequently asked questions about what to plant in February