My Planting Calendar

What to plant in February in District of Columbia

In District of Columbia (DC), February sits about 8 weeks before the average last frost (April 10). The state averages 198 frost-free days a year (last frost April 10, first frost October 25; USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a).

36 crops have a sowing or planting window this month - and 7 of those windows close during February.

Dates here come from District of Columbia frost dates (last frost Apr 10, first frost Oct 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in District of Columbia.

Seed-starting seasonSow or plant: 36Start indoors: 36Harvesting: 0

District of Columbia: planting activity through the year

8
36
64
84
54
10
18
36
18
1
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 10 – Oct 25
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 36 have one in February; the busiest month is April (84).

Last chance in February

Celery (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Leek (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Onion (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Rosemary (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Eggplant (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Parsley (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Shallot (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13)

Start seeds indoors in February (36)

Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
CeleryStart seeds indoorsJan 23 – Feb 6Last chance - ends Feb 6
LeekStart seeds indoorsJan 23 – Feb 6Last chance - ends Feb 6
OnionStart seeds indoorsJan 23 – Feb 6Last chance - ends Feb 6
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsJan 23 – Feb 6Last chance - ends Feb 6
EggplantStart seeds indoorsJan 30 – Feb 13Last chance - ends Feb 13
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsJan 30 – Feb 13Last chance - ends Feb 13
ShallotStart seeds indoorsJan 30 – Feb 13Last chance - ends Feb 13
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
GingerStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
MintStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
OreganoStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
SageStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
TarragonStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
ThymeStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
TurmericStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
Ground CherryStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
Lemon BalmStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
Shiso (Perilla)Start seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
Sweet MarjoramStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
TomatilloStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
TomatoStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
BroccoliStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
Brussels SproutsStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
CabbageStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
CauliflowerStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
KaleStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
BasilStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
Collard GreensStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
Endive & EscaroleStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
KohlrabiStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
Malabar SpinachStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
OkraStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
RadicchioStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
Summer SavoryStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27

Planting dates for popular crops in District of Columbia

Every crop has its own full-year dates for District of Columbia: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant onion in District of Columbia →When to plant eggplant in District of Columbia →When to plant bell pepper in District of Columbia →When to plant chili pepper in District of Columbia →When to plant tomato in District of Columbia →When to plant broccoli in District of Columbia →When to plant cabbage in District of Columbia →When to plant cauliflower in District of Columbia →District of Columbia frost dates by zone →

Seed-starting season: February garden jobs in District of Columbia

  1. Start 36 crops indoors this month, including celery, leek, onion, rosemary. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. 8 weeks until the average last frost (April 10). The seed-starting calculator works out each crop's exact sowing date from it.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 District of Columbia

District of Columbia spans USDA zones 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.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in District of Columbia in February?

36 crops have a window in February: celery, leek, onion, rosemary, 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 District of Columbia in February?

No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 13 – Feb 27 in District of Columbia, so do it before February 27.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in District of Columbia in February?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In District of Columbia the next lettuce window opens around March 6: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in District of Columbia?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 25 and the last spring frost around April 10. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in February in District of Columbia?

Celery (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Leek (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Onion (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Rosemary (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Eggplant (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Parsley (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Shallot (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Bell Pepper (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Chili Pepper (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Ginger (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Mint (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Oregano (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Sage (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Tarragon (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Thyme (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Turmeric (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Ground Cherry (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Lemon Balm (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Shiso (Perilla) (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Sweet Marjoram (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Tomatillo (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Tomato (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Broccoli (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Brussels Sprouts (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Cabbage (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Cauliflower (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Kale (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Basil (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Collard Greens (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Endive & Escarole (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Kohlrabi (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Malabar Spinach (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Okra (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Radicchio (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Summer Savory (Feb 27 – Mar 13).

← January in District of ColumbiaMarch in District of Columbia →Full-year District of Columbia planting calendar →District of Columbia frost dates →

What to plant in February in other states

DelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvaniaVirginiaWest VirginiaAlabamaAlaskaAll states →

Dates are computed from District of Columbia’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.