February is the perfect time to start cool-season vegetables and early spring crops indoors or outdoors, depending on your climate. Here are 15 vegetables to plant this month for a thriving garden:
1. Tomatoes
Start tomato seeds indoors under grow lights for strong transplants by spring.
2. Peppers
Both sweet and hot peppers need a long growing season, so starting early ensures a great harvest.
3. Lettuce
Fast-growing and frost-tolerant, lettuce can be direct-sown in milder climates or started indoors.
4. Spinach
Cold-hardy spinach thrives in cool weather and can be planted directly in the garden.
5. Kale
A nutritious, hardy green that grows well in late winter and early spring.
6. Broccoli
Start seeds indoors so seedlings are ready to transplant once the weather warms.
7. Cauliflower
Like broccoli, cauliflower benefits from an early indoor start for a strong spring crop.
8. Cabbage
Early cabbage varieties mature before summer heat sets in, making February a great time to start.
9. Onions
Start onion seeds indoors for large, healthy bulbs by late summer.
10. Carrots
In warmer climates, carrots can be direct-sown outdoors for an early harvest.
11. Beets
Cold-tolerant beets can be planted outdoors in many zones by mid to late February.
12. Peas
Direct-sow peas outdoors as soon as the soil is workable for a spring harvest.
13. Radishes
One of the fastest-growing crops, radishes can be planted outdoors in February for a quick yield.
14. Swiss Chard
A cold-hardy leafy green that grows well when started in late winter.
15. Leeks
Slow-growing leeks need an early start indoors for a successful summer harvest.