What to plant in February in Kentucky
In Kentucky (KY), February sits about 9 weeks before the average last frost (April 18). The state averages 185 frost-free days a year (last frost April 18, first frost October 20; USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a).
29 crops have a sowing or planting window this month - and 5 of those windows close during February.
Dates here come from Kentucky frost dates (last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in Kentucky.
Kentucky: planting activity through the year
Last chance in February
Celeriac (start seeds indoors, by Feb 7) · Celery (start seeds indoors, by Feb 14) · Leek (start seeds indoors, by Feb 14) · Onion (start seeds indoors, by Feb 14) · Rosemary (start seeds indoors, by Feb 14)
Start seeds indoors in February (29)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celeriac | Start seeds indoors | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Last chance - ends Feb 7 |
| Celery | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Last chance - ends Feb 14 |
| Leek | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Last chance - ends Feb 14 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Last chance - ends Feb 14 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Last chance - ends Feb 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Bell Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Chili Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Ginger | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Mint | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Tarragon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Turmeric | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Opens Feb 21 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Opens Feb 21 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Opens Feb 21 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Opens Feb 21 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Opens Feb 21 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Opens Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Opens Feb 28 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Opens Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Opens Feb 28 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Opens Feb 28 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Opens Feb 28 |
Planting dates for popular crops in Kentucky
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Kentucky: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: February garden jobs in Kentucky
- Start 29 crops indoors this month, including celeriac, celery, leek, onion. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 9 weeks until the average last frost (April 18). 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 Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 Kentucky in February?
29 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 Kentucky in February?
No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 21 – Mar 7 in Kentucky.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Kentucky in February?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Kentucky the next lettuce window opens around March 14: start seeds indoors.
When is the first frost in Kentucky?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 18. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in February in Kentucky?
Celeriac (Jan 24 – Feb 7), Celery (Jan 31 – Feb 14), Leek (Jan 31 – Feb 14), Onion (Jan 31 – Feb 14), Rosemary (Jan 31 – Feb 14), Eggplant (Feb 7 – Feb 21), Parsley (Feb 7 – Feb 21), Shallot (Feb 7 – Feb 21), Bell Pepper (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Chili Pepper (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Ginger (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Mint (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Oregano (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Sage (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Tarragon (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Thyme (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Turmeric (Feb 14 – Feb 28), Ground Cherry (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Lemon Balm (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Shiso (Perilla) (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Sweet Marjoram (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Tomatillo (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Tomato (Feb 21 – Mar 7), Broccoli (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Brussels Sprouts (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Cabbage (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Cauliflower (Feb 28 – Mar 14), Kale (Feb 28 – Mar 14).
What to plant in February in other states
Dates are computed from Kentucky’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.