What to Plant in February
February is a month of two gardens in Florida Zone 9. Cool-season vegetables are still growing and going into the ground, while the coming warm season begins to show itself in seed trays and garden plans. It is a month for harvesting winter while preparing for spring.
February at a Glance
The cool-season garden still has plenty of life in February. Carrots, peas, radishes, turnips, greens, and brassicas can continue, but this is also the time to look ahead. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and warm-season flowers can be prepared for the warmer gardening months ahead. Cold nights are still possible, so tender young plants need protection.
Vegetables
February bridges the cool and warm seasons. Continue sowing vegetables that appreciate cool weather while preparing warm-season transplants for planting as temperatures become more dependable.
Direct Sow in the Garden
Carrots
Sow directly into loose, well-prepared soil. Keep the surface consistently moist until the small seedlings become established.
Radishes
Continue sowing small batches for fast harvests before warmer weather begins returning.
Turnips
Direct sow into beds or containers for both edible roots and tender greens.
English Peas
Sow directly while cool temperatures remain favorable and provide support for climbing varieties.
Bunching Onions
Sow directly into raised beds or containers. Their compact growth makes them especially useful in smaller garden spaces.
Arugula
Continue small sowings for tender leaves while cool-season growing conditions remain.
Leaf Lettuce
Sow another small succession, especially where plants can receive some protection from increasingly warm afternoons.
Mustard Greens
February still provides an opportunity for another planting of flavorful cool-season greens.
Start for Transplanting Later
Tomatoes
Start seeds in a warm, protected location so sturdy plants will be ready for the approaching warm-season garden.
Peppers
Start seeds with steady warmth. Peppers are slow to develop, so February gives young plants time to grow before they move into the garden.
Eggplant
Start seeds in a warm location and grow the seedlings under good light until outdoor conditions become reliably warm.
Tomatillos
Begin seeds for later transplanting into a sunny warm-season garden. Starting more than one plant can help with pollination.
Swiss Chard
Start seedlings for transplanting into raised beds, pots, or grow bags where they can continue producing into spring.
Collards
Start a small final succession for transplanting while the remaining cool-season weather is favorable.
Flowers
February flowers can reflect both sides of the changing season. Cool-loving annuals continue to brighten the garden while seeds for warmer-weather flowers can begin preparing for spring.
Direct Sow in the Garden
Calendula
Sow directly into sunny beds or containers while cooler February temperatures remain favorable.
Sweet Alyssum
Sow lightly along bed edges, in containers, or between larger plants for low-growing fragrant flowers.
Baby's Breath
Direct sow into a sunny, well-drained garden space for delicate cool-season flowers.
Delphinium
Sow while cooler conditions remain, choosing a sunny location with rich, well-drained soil.
Start for Transplanting Later
Snapdragons
Start another small group of seedlings for cool-season color while temperatures remain favorable.
Dianthus
Start seeds for transplanting into beds and containers for continued late-winter and spring color.
Petunias
Start seeds in a protected location for later transplanting into sunny beds, hanging baskets, and containers.
Verbena
Begin seeds for plants that can move into sunny containers and garden beds as spring approaches.
Gomphrena
Begin seeds in a protected location for transplanting as the weather becomes warmer.
Calibrachoa
Start plants for colorful containers and hanging baskets as the garden begins transitioning toward spring.
February Planting Notes
- February is a transition month. Continue enjoying and planting cool-season crops while preparing for the warm-season garden.
- Frost and freezing temperatures are still possible. Keep tender seedlings and newly planted warm-season vegetables protected when cold weather is forecast.
- Continue succession sowing quick cool-season crops such as radishes, lettuce, and arugula while temperatures remain mild.
- This is also a good month to plant Irish potatoes using healthy seed pieces in a suitable garden bed or container.
- Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and other warm-season seedlings benefit from warmth and good light while waiting for dependable outdoor planting weather.
- Begin preparing garden beds that will soon hold spring crops. Refreshing soil and adding finished compost now can make the seasonal transition easier.
- As the days become longer and warmer, check soil moisture more frequently in pots and grow bags.