My Planting Calendar

What to plant in February in New York

In New York (NY), February sits about 11 weeks before the average last frost (May 1). The state averages 157 frost-free days a year (last frost May 1, first frost October 5; USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).

18 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from New York frost dates (last frost May 1, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in New York.

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

New York covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.

New York: planting activity through the year

0
18
53
70
78
32
35
28
1
2
1
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: May 1 – 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 May (78).

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 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 20
CeleryStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
LeekStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
OnionStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsFeb 13 – Feb 27Feb 13 – Feb 27
EggplantStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
ShallotStart seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6Opens Feb 20
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
GingerStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
MintStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
OreganoStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
SageStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
TarragonStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
ThymeStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27
TurmericStart seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13Opens Feb 27

Planting dates for popular crops in New York

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

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

A planning month: February garden jobs in New York

  1. Order seed while stock is good. New York's average last frost is May 1, so the first indoor sowings begin around February 6 - 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 New York

New York spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 3May 15Sep 15120 days
Zone 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in New York 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 New York in February?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In New York the next tomato window opens around March 6: start seeds indoors.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in New York in February?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In New York the next lettuce window opens around March 27: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in New York?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around May 1. New York covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in February in New York?

Celeriac (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Celery (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Leek (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Onion (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Rosemary (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Eggplant (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Parsley (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Shallot (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Bell Pepper (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Chili Pepper (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Ginger (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Mint (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Oregano (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Sage (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Tarragon (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Thyme (Feb 27 – Mar 13), Turmeric (Feb 27 – Mar 13).

March in New York →Full-year New York planting calendar →New York frost dates →

What to plant in February in other states

ConnecticutMaineMassachusettsNew HampshireRhode IslandVermontAlabamaAlaskaAll states →

Dates are computed from New York’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.