My Planting Calendar

What to plant in February in Iowa

In Iowa (IA), February sits about 10 weeks before the average last frost (April 25). The state averages 166 frost-free days a year (last frost April 25, first frost October 8; USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b).

24 crops have a sowing or planting window this month - and 1 of those windows close during February.

Dates here come from Iowa frost dates (last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 8). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in Iowa.

Seed-starting seasonSow or plant: 24Start indoors: 24Harvesting: 0

Iowa: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
14
25
29
3
2
1
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 25 – Oct 8
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 24 have one in February; the busiest month is April (78).

Last chance in February

Celeriac (start seeds indoors, by Feb 14)

Start seeds indoors in February (24)

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
CeleriacStart seeds indoorsJan 31 – Feb 14Last chance - ends Feb 14
CeleryStart seeds indoorsFeb 7 – Feb 21Feb 7 – Feb 21
LeekStart seeds indoorsFeb 7 – Feb 21Feb 7 – Feb 21
OnionStart seeds indoorsFeb 7 – Feb 21Feb 7 – Feb 21
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsFeb 7 – Feb 21Feb 7 – Feb 21
EggplantStart seeds indoorsFeb 14 – Feb 28Feb 14 – Feb 28
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsFeb 14 – Feb 28Feb 14 – Feb 28
ShallotStart seeds indoorsFeb 14 – Feb 28Feb 14 – Feb 28
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 21 – Mar 7Opens Feb 21
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 21 – Mar 7Opens Feb 21
GingerStart seeds indoorsFeb 21 – Mar 7Opens Feb 21
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsFeb 21 – Mar 7Opens Feb 21
MintStart seeds indoorsFeb 21 – Mar 7Opens Feb 21
OreganoStart seeds indoorsFeb 21 – Mar 7Opens Feb 21
SageStart seeds indoorsFeb 21 – Mar 7Opens Feb 21
TarragonStart seeds indoorsFeb 21 – Mar 7Opens Feb 21
ThymeStart seeds indoorsFeb 21 – Mar 7Opens Feb 21
TurmericStart seeds indoorsFeb 21 – Mar 7Opens Feb 21
Ground CherryStart seeds indoorsFeb 28 – Mar 14Opens Feb 28
Lemon BalmStart seeds indoorsFeb 28 – Mar 14Opens Feb 28
Shiso (Perilla)Start seeds indoorsFeb 28 – Mar 14Opens Feb 28
Sweet MarjoramStart seeds indoorsFeb 28 – Mar 14Opens Feb 28
TomatilloStart seeds indoorsFeb 28 – Mar 14Opens Feb 28
TomatoStart seeds indoorsFeb 28 – Mar 14Opens Feb 28

Planting dates for popular crops in Iowa

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

When to plant onion in Iowa →When to plant eggplant in Iowa →When to plant bell pepper in Iowa →When to plant chili pepper in Iowa →When to plant tomato in Iowa →When to plant lettuce in Iowa →When to plant garlic in Iowa →When to plant carrot in Iowa →Iowa frost dates by zone →

Seed-starting season: February garden jobs in Iowa

  1. Start 24 crops indoors this month, including celeriac, celery, leek, onion. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. 10 weeks until the average last frost (April 25). 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 Iowa

Iowa spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. 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 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Iowa in February?

24 crops have a window in February: celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley, shallot, bell pepper, chili pepper and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Iowa in February?

No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 28 – Mar 14 in Iowa.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Iowa in February?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Iowa the next lettuce window opens around March 21: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Iowa?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 8 and the last spring frost around April 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in February in Iowa?

Celeriac (Jan 31 – Feb 14), Celery (Feb 7 – Feb 21), Leek (Feb 7 – Feb 21), Onion (Feb 7 – Feb 21), Rosemary (Feb 7 – Feb 21), Eggplant (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Parsley (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Shallot (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Bell Pepper (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Chili Pepper (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Ginger (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Mint (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Oregano (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Sage (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Tarragon (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Thyme (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Turmeric (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Ground Cherry (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Lemon Balm (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Shiso (Perilla) (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Sweet Marjoram (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Tomatillo (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Tomato (Feb 28 – Mar 14).

← January in IowaMarch in Iowa →Full-year Iowa planting calendar →Iowa frost dates →

What to plant in February in other states

IllinoisIndianaMichiganMinnesotaMissouriOhioWisconsinAlabamaAll states →

Dates are computed from Iowa’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.