What to plant in February in Arkansas
In Arkansas (AR), February sits about 7 weeks before the average last frost (April 3). The state averages 212 frost-free days a year (last frost April 3, first frost November 1; USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).
46 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion - and 13 of those windows close during February.
Dates here come from Arkansas frost dates (last frost Apr 3, first frost Nov 1). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or eggplant in Arkansas.
Arkansas: planting activity through the year
Last chance in February
Eggplant (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Parsley (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Shallot (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Bell Pepper (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Chili Pepper (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Ginger (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Green Onion / Scallion (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Mint (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Oregano (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Sage (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Tarragon (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Thyme (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Turmeric (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13)
Sow or plant outdoors in February (4)
Direct sowing and transplanting windows that fall in February, most urgent first. Windows are one-to-two-week bands around the ideal date.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
Start seeds indoors in February (43)
Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Last chance - ends Feb 6 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Last chance - ends Feb 6 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Last chance - ends Feb 6 |
| Bell Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Chili Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Ginger | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Mint | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Tarragon | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Turmeric | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 27 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 27 |
Planting dates for popular crops in Arkansas
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Arkansas: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: February garden jobs in Arkansas
- Start 43 crops indoors this month, including eggplant, parsley, shallot, bell pepper. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 7 weeks until the average last frost (April 3). The seed-starting calculator works out each crop's exact sowing date from it.
- Keep seedlings from stretching: lights 2-3 inches above the leaves for 14-16 hours a day, and a fan or a daily brush of the hand across the tops.
- Prepare beds as soon as the soil crumbles instead of smearing when squeezed - working wet soil ruins its structure for the season.
USDA zone chart for Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Arkansas in February?
46 crops have a window in February: mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, eggplant, parsley, shallot, bell pepper, chili pepper, ginger and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Arkansas in February?
No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 6 – Feb 20 in Arkansas, so do it before February 20.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Arkansas in February?
No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 27 – Mar 13 in Arkansas.
When is the first frost in Arkansas?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 1 and the last spring frost around April 3. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in February in Arkansas?
Eggplant (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Parsley (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Shallot (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Bell Pepper (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Chili Pepper (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Ginger (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Green Onion / Scallion (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Mint (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Oregano (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Sage (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Tarragon (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Thyme (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Turmeric (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Ground Cherry (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Lemon Balm (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Shiso (Perilla) (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Sweet Marjoram (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Tomatillo (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Tomato (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Broccoli (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Brussels Sprouts (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Cabbage (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Cauliflower (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Kale (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Basil (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Collard Greens (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Endive & Escarole (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Kohlrabi (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Malabar Spinach (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Okra (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Radicchio (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Summer Savory (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Bitter Melon (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Cucamelon (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Fennel (Bulb) (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Lettuce (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Napa Cabbage (Feb 27 – Mar 13), New Zealand Spinach (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Peanut (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Swiss Chard (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Watercress (Feb 27 – Mar 13).
What to plant in February in other states
Dates are computed from Arkansas’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.