My Planting Calendar

What to plant in February in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts (MA), February sits about 10 weeks before the average last frost (April 24). The state averages 173 frost-free days a year (last frost April 24, first frost October 14; USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a).

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

Dates here come from Massachusetts frost dates (last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 14). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in Massachusetts.

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

Massachusetts: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
11
24
32
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 24 – Oct 14
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 13)

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 30 – Feb 13Last chance - ends Feb 13
CeleryStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
LeekStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
OnionStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsFeb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
EggplantStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
ShallotStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
GingerStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
MintStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
OreganoStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
SageStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
TarragonStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
ThymeStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
TurmericStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
Ground CherryStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
Lemon BalmStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
Shiso (Perilla)Start seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
Sweet MarjoramStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
TomatilloStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
TomatoStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27

Planting dates for popular crops in Massachusetts

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

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

Seed-starting season: February garden jobs in Massachusetts

  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 24). 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 Massachusetts

Massachusetts spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 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.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts in February?

No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 27 – Mar 13 in Massachusetts.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Massachusetts the next lettuce window opens around March 20: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Massachusetts?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 14 and the last spring frost around April 24. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in February in Massachusetts?

Celeriac (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Celery (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Leek (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Onion (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Rosemary (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Eggplant (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Parsley (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Shallot (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Bell Pepper (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Chili Pepper (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Ginger (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Mint (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Oregano (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Sage (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Tarragon (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Thyme (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Turmeric (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Ground Cherry (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Lemon Balm (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Shiso (Perilla) (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Sweet Marjoram (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Tomatillo (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Tomato (Feb 27 – Mar 13).

← January in MassachusettsMarch in Massachusetts →Full-year Massachusetts planting calendar →Massachusetts frost dates →

What to plant in February in other states

ConnecticutMaineNew HampshireNew YorkRhode IslandVermontAlabamaAlaskaAll states →

Dates are computed from Massachusetts’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.