What to plant in February in Missouri
In Missouri (MO), February sits about 8 weeks before the average last frost (April 15). The state averages 186 frost-free days a year (last frost April 15, first frost October 18; USDA zones 5b, 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 Missouri frost dates (last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 18). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in Missouri.
Missouri: planting activity through the year
Last chance in February
Celeriac (start seeds indoors, by Feb 4) · Celery (start seeds indoors, by Feb 11) · Leek (start seeds indoors, by Feb 11) · Onion (start seeds indoors, by Feb 11) · Rosemary (start seeds indoors, by Feb 11)
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 21 – Feb 4 | Last chance - ends Feb 4 |
| Celery | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Last chance - ends Feb 11 |
| Leek | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Last chance - ends Feb 11 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Last chance - ends Feb 11 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Last chance - ends Feb 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Bell Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Chili Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Ginger | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Mint | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Tarragon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Turmeric | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 18 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 18 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 18 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 18 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 18 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 25 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 25 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 25 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 25 |
Planting dates for popular crops in Missouri
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Missouri: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: February garden jobs in Missouri
- Start 29 crops indoors this month, including celeriac, celery, leek, onion. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 8 weeks until the average last frost (April 15). 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 Missouri
Missouri spans USDA zones 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.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Missouri 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 Missouri in February?
No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 18 – Mar 4 in Missouri.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Missouri in February?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Missouri the next lettuce window opens around March 11: start seeds indoors.
When is the first frost in Missouri?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 18 and the last spring frost around April 15. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What should I start indoors in February in Missouri?
Celeriac (Jan 21 – Feb 4), Celery (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Leek (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Onion (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Rosemary (Jan 28 – Feb 11), Eggplant (Feb 4 – Feb 18), Parsley (Feb 4 – Feb 18), Shallot (Feb 4 – Feb 18), Bell Pepper (Feb 11 – Feb 25), Chili Pepper (Feb 11 – Feb 25), Ginger (Feb 11 – Feb 25), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 11 – Feb 25), Mint (Feb 11 – Feb 25), Oregano (Feb 11 – Feb 25), Sage (Feb 11 – Feb 25), Tarragon (Feb 11 – Feb 25), Thyme (Feb 11 – Feb 25), Turmeric (Feb 11 – Feb 25), Ground Cherry (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Lemon Balm (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Shiso (Perilla) (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Sweet Marjoram (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Tomatillo (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Tomato (Feb 18 – Mar 4), Broccoli (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Brussels Sprouts (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Cabbage (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Cauliflower (Feb 25 – Mar 11), Kale (Feb 25 – Mar 11).
What to plant in February in other states
Dates are computed from Missouri’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.