What to plant in February in North Carolina
In North Carolina (NC), February sits about 7 weeks before the average last frost (April 5). The state averages 203 frost-free days a year (last frost April 5, first frost October 25; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b).
39 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach - and 7 of those windows close during February.
Dates here come from North Carolina frost dates (last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or onion in North Carolina.
North Carolina 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.
North Carolina: planting activity through the year
Last chance in February
Celery (start seeds indoors, by Feb 1) · Leek (start seeds indoors, by Feb 1) · Onion (start seeds indoors, by Feb 1) · Rosemary (start seeds indoors, by Feb 1) · Eggplant (start seeds indoors, by Feb 8) · Parsley (start seeds indoors, by Feb 8) · Shallot (start seeds indoors, by Feb 8)
Sow or plant outdoors in February (3)
Direct sowing and transplanting windows that fall in February, most urgent first. Windows are one-to-two-week bands around the ideal date.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
Start seeds indoors in February (36)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celery | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Last chance - ends Feb 1 |
| Leek | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Last chance - ends Feb 1 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Last chance - ends Feb 1 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Last chance - ends Feb 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Last chance - ends Feb 8 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Last chance - ends Feb 8 |
| Shallot | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Last chance - ends Feb 8 |
| Bell Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Chili Pepper | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Ginger | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Mint | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Tarragon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Turmeric | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 22 |
Planting dates for popular crops in North Carolina
Every crop has its own full-year dates for North Carolina: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Seed-starting season: February garden jobs in North Carolina
- Start 36 crops indoors this month, including celery, leek, onion, rosemary. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 7 weeks until the average last frost (April 5). 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 North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. 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 North Carolina in February?
39 crops have a window in February: mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley, shallot and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in North Carolina in February?
No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 8 – Feb 22 in North Carolina, so do it before February 22.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in North Carolina in February?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In North Carolina the next lettuce window opens around March 1: start seeds indoors.
When is the first frost in North Carolina?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 25 and the last spring frost around April 5. North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Celery (Jan 18 – Feb 1), Leek (Jan 18 – Feb 1), Onion (Jan 18 – Feb 1), Rosemary (Jan 18 – Feb 1), Eggplant (Jan 25 – Feb 8), Parsley (Jan 25 – Feb 8), Shallot (Jan 25 – Feb 8), Bell Pepper (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Chili Pepper (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Ginger (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Mint (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Oregano (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Sage (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Tarragon (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Thyme (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Turmeric (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Ground Cherry (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Lemon Balm (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Shiso (Perilla) (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Sweet Marjoram (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Tomatillo (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Tomato (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Broccoli (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Brussels Sprouts (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Cabbage (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Cauliflower (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Kale (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Basil (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Collard Greens (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Endive & Escarole (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Kohlrabi (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Malabar Spinach (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Okra (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Radicchio (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Summer Savory (Feb 22 – Mar 8).
What to plant in February in other states
Dates are computed from North Carolina’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.