February begins the seed-starting season in many parts of the country, while southern gardens are actively growing cool-season vegetables. Local last-frost dates and USDA zone determine whether you should be sowing indoors, outdoors, or still waiting.

Start indoors in February

Start onions, leeks, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and other hardy brassicas indoors, generally 6 to 10 weeks before your last frost depending on the crop. Start peppers only where their 8 to 10 week lead time fits your local frost date and you can provide strong light and warmth.

Plant outdoors: cool & northern regions (zones 3–6)

In zones 3 to 6, sow outdoors only if soil is thawed and workable, using row cover or a cold frame for spinach, lettuce, radishes, or peas. Otherwise, prepare beds when they are not waterlogged and wait for suitable soil conditions.

Plant outdoors: warm & southern regions (zones 7–10)

In zones 7 to 10, continue sowing lettuce, greens, peas, carrots, beets, radishes, and brassicas, and transplant cool-season seedlings. In the warmest areas, begin tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants indoors according to your local spring transplanting date.

Garden tasks for February

Avoid working saturated soil, which damages its structure. Refresh mulch around established crops, check for slugs and aphids, and harden off only seedlings that are ready for protected outdoor conditions.

Regional guidance for US home gardens; always adjust to your own last and first frost dates. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.