Do you have a backyard garden that you’re planning to turn productive by planting vegetables this February? Well, you’ll definitely need some guidance for that!
Let me tell you a quick story about my own garden. Back in the day, before the internet for my garden guru, I used to bother my mom and local gardeners for planting advice.
One day, a wise gardener told me about the USDA Hardiness Zone Map, and let me tell you, it was a game changer! I never had to ask around again, just checked the map and knew exactly what to plant.
What Vegetables Can You Plant In February? (Zone 1 To 10)
Here are all the vegetables you can plant this February according to your zone:
Zone 1-3:
Carrots: We all know the OG carrot, don’t we? It’s hardy, reliable, and time-proven. Carrots thrive in cold weather conditions and benefit from light frosts as they improve flavor, making the vegetable significantly sweeter.
Cabbage: Cabbage thrives in late winter and can be planted in February for strong growth and improved flavor. A brief, light frost can make your cabbage crispier and slightly sweeter, leading to higher-quality, delicious harvests.
Arugula: Arugula is a tough leafy green that can withstand light frosts and freezes without any issue. It grows best in cooler temperatures, improving its mildly peppery flavor to a significant degree. Just make sure to plant it in well-drained soil in a location that ideally receives plenty of direct sunlight.
Zone 4-5:
Tomatoes: If your area’s climate is warm enough in February and the ground isn’t frozen, you can definitely plant tomatoes and expect them to grow pretty well. Most of the growth will happen in spring as temperatures rise and you can harvest them in late spring or early summer.
Onion: Onion seeds/sets can be sown in the ground around late February, as soon as the risk of frost passes completely. Although this bulbous vegetable can survive a light frost, it generally prefers warmer soil conditions for the best growth.
Beetroot: Beetroot is relatively hardy and can tolerate light frost, making it a solid choice for February planting in zones 4-5. In terms of planting, just ensure the risk of frost has passed and you’re free to sow beetroot seeds directly into the ground whenever you want.
Zone 6-7:
Peas: Peas are a good choice for February planting in zones 6-7. These zones offer a milder climate and the soil temperatures usually warm up around mid to late February. However, you want to plant peas before the last frost date as frost can sweeten their flavor significantly.
Swiss Chard: This vibrant leafy green not only looks incredible in the garden but also tastes pretty good in savory dishes. It can be planted early in February and harvested in late April or early May.
Spinach: Another leafy green that thrives in cold weather and can be planted in zones 6-7 February for the best results. Try your best to plant it when the cold is still around as warmer conditions tend to cause bolting in spinach.
Zone 8-9:
Celery: To avoid celery seedlings going to seed prematurely, ensure the temperature is consistently above 39º-44ºF (4°-7°C) for a few weeks. This tough-textured, peppery vegetable grows best in cool weather and takes slightly longer to harvest. (3-4 months)
Radishes: This vibrant vegetable can be planted in February once the risk of frost has passed and the soil is starting to warm up. The good thing is that radishes mature quickly so you can harvest them pretty often.
Cauliflower: Cauliflower thrives in winter and can even tolerate light frosts to some degree. February is a good time to plant this vegetable in zones 8-9 because the temperature will be tolerable enough for it to grow and mature properly.
Zone 10:
Peppers: Unlike the other vegetables on this list, most pepper varieties prefer slightly warmer conditions for ideal growth. This makes February in zone 10 a good time to be getting your peppers into the ground.
Broccoli: If you live in a cooler region/state, planting broccoli in February can be a good idea for you even though the vegetable prefers much colder conditions for optimal growth and flavor.
Cucumbers: Because zone 10 offers a slightly warmer climate on average, cucumbers can be planted in February directly in the ground outdoors once all risk of frost passes.
