My Planting Calendar

What to plant in February in Nebraska

In Nebraska (NE), February sits about 11 weeks before the average last frost (April 30). The state averages 158 frost-free days a year (last frost April 30, first frost October 5; USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b).

18 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from Nebraska frost dates (last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in Nebraska.

A planning monthSow or plant: 18Start indoors: 18Harvesting: 0

Nebraska: planting activity through the year

0
18
53
76
69
28
35
28
1
2
1
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 30 – Oct 5
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 18 have one in February; the busiest month is April (76).

Start seeds indoors in February (18)

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 indoorsFeb 5 – Feb 19Feb 5 – Feb 19
CeleryStart seeds indoorsFeb 12 – Feb 26Feb 12 – Feb 26
LeekStart seeds indoorsFeb 12 – Feb 26Feb 12 – Feb 26
OnionStart seeds indoorsFeb 12 – Feb 26Feb 12 – Feb 26
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsFeb 12 – Feb 26Feb 12 – Feb 26
EggplantStart seeds indoorsFeb 19 – Mar 5Opens Feb 19
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsFeb 19 – Mar 5Opens Feb 19
ShallotStart seeds indoorsFeb 19 – Mar 5Opens Feb 19
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Opens Feb 26
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Opens Feb 26
GingerStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Opens Feb 26
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Opens Feb 26
MintStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Opens Feb 26
OreganoStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Opens Feb 26
SageStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Opens Feb 26
TarragonStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Opens Feb 26
ThymeStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Opens Feb 26
TurmericStart seeds indoorsFeb 26 – Mar 12Opens Feb 26

Planting dates for popular crops in Nebraska

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

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

A planning month: February garden jobs in Nebraska

  1. Order seed while stock is good. Nebraska's average last frost is April 30, so the first indoor sowings begin around February 5 - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. Sketch this year's beds and move each crop family to a new spot - the garden planner and the crop rotation guide make it quick.
  3. Test old seed: roll ten seeds in a damp paper towel for a week. If fewer than seven sprout, sow thicker or buy fresh.
  4. If the ground isn't frozen, spread compost now so it's worked in by spring, and send off a soil test - February is when labs are quiet.

USDA zone chart for Nebraska

Nebraska 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 Nebraska in February?

18 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 Nebraska in February?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Nebraska the next tomato window opens around March 5: start seeds indoors.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Nebraska the next lettuce window opens around March 26: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Nebraska?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around April 30. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in February in Nebraska?

Celeriac (Feb 5 – Feb 19), Celery (Feb 12 – Feb 26), Leek (Feb 12 – Feb 26), Onion (Feb 12 – Feb 26), Rosemary (Feb 12 – Feb 26), Eggplant (Feb 19 – Mar 5), Parsley (Feb 19 – Mar 5), Shallot (Feb 19 – Mar 5), Bell Pepper (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Chili Pepper (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Ginger (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Mint (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Oregano (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Sage (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Tarragon (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Thyme (Feb 26 – Mar 12), Turmeric (Feb 26 – Mar 12).

March in Nebraska →Full-year Nebraska planting calendar →Nebraska frost dates →

What to plant in February in other states

KansasNorth DakotaOklahomaSouth DakotaAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasAll states →

Dates are computed from Nebraska’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.