February in the Garden
February is a transitional month in much of the United States, and what it looks like in your garden depends heavily on where you live. Conditions range from deep winter in the northern tier to the start of the growing season across the warm South and Southwest, so use your USDA hardiness zone and your local average last-frost date as your guide rather than the calendar alone. If you are not sure of your last-frost date, your regional Cooperative Extension office can provide the figures for your specific area.
What to plant in February
In cold and cool regions, February is mainly a seed-starting month indoors, where gardeners often begin slow-growing crops such as onions, leeks, celery, and many cool-season flowers under lights so transplants are ready after the frost date passes. Warm-region gardeners in the South and along the coasts can frequently direct sow or transplant hardy cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, carrots, and members of the cabbage family, and may start warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers indoors for later transplanting. A general rule is to count back from your average last-frost date using the days-to-transplant guidance on each seed packet, which keeps you from starting too early. Wherever you are, check that soil is workable and not frozen or waterlogged before sowing outdoors, and lean on your local Extension planting calendar for crop-by-crop timing.
Garden tasks for February
February is a good time to plan the season, order seeds, test and sharpen tools, and clean and sanitize pots and seed-starting trays. Many gardeners do dormant-season pruning on trees and shrubs while plants are still leafless and easy to shape, though timing varies by species, so confirm the right window for each plant before you cut. If the ground is not frozen, you can prepare beds by clearing debris, checking drainage, and topping off mulch, and you may want to have a soil test done through your Cooperative Extension so you understand your soil before spring. Keep row covers or other protection on hand, since late-winter cold snaps and swings in temperature are common in most regions.
Colder regions (zones 3-6)
In colder northern zones, roughly 3 through 6, the ground is often frozen or snow-covered and outdoor planting is usually not yet possible. Focus on indoor seed starting, planning, and equipment prep, and wait to prune spring-flowering shrubs until after they bloom so you do not remove this year's buds. Watch for heaving of perennials during freeze-and-thaw cycles, and leave protective mulch and snow cover in place as insulation.
Warmer regions (zones 8-10)
In warmer southern zones, roughly 8 through 10, February is often an active planting month for cool-season vegetables and for setting out hardy transplants, and it can be a key window for planting bare-root and dormant fruit trees where nurseries offer them. Even in mild areas, occasional frosts still occur, so keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to cover tender plants. As always, your local Cooperative Extension planting schedule and your own frost dates are the most reliable guide for your area.
Not sure of your timing? Look up your local frost dates and planting calendar by ZIP.
Timing depends on your local frost dates and USDA hardiness zone; confirm with your local Cooperative Extension office. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.