What to plant in February in Texas
In Texas (TX), February sits about 4 weeks before the average last frost (March 15). The state averages 245 frost-free days a year (last frost March 15, first frost November 15; USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a).
65 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet - and 11 of those windows close during February.
Dates here come from Texas frost dates (last frost Mar 15, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, spinach or arugula in Texas.
Texas 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.
Texas: planting activity through the year
Last chance in February
Ground Cherry (start seeds indoors, by Feb 1) · Lemon Balm (start seeds indoors, by Feb 1) · Shiso (Perilla) (start seeds indoors, by Feb 1) · Sweet Marjoram (start seeds indoors, by Feb 1) · Tomatillo (start seeds indoors, by Feb 1) · Tomato (start seeds indoors, by Feb 1) · Broccoli (start seeds indoors, by Feb 8) · Brussels Sprouts (start seeds indoors, by Feb 8) · Cabbage (start seeds indoors, by Feb 8) · Cauliflower (start seeds indoors, by Feb 8) · Kale (start seeds indoors, by Feb 8)
Sow or plant outdoors in February (56)
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 3 – Feb 22 | Feb 3 – Feb 22 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 3 – Feb 22 | Feb 3 – Feb 22 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 3 – Feb 22 | Feb 3 – Feb 22 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Feb 8 – Feb 25 | Feb 8 – Feb 25 |
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 10 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 10 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 10 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 10 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 10 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 10 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 10 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 10 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Collard Greens | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Horseradish | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Kale | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Kohlrabi | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Onion | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Rhubarb | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Shallot | Transplant outdoors | Feb 15 – Mar 4 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Carrot | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 17 |
| Chervil | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 17 |
| Endive & Escarole | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 17 |
| Kohlrabi | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 17 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 17 |
| Mustard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 17 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 17 |
| Turnip | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 17 |
| Watercress | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 8 | Opens Feb 17 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Feb 22 – Mar 11 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Borage | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Collard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Kale | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Leek | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Napa Cabbage | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Parsley | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Potato | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Radicchio | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
| Salsify | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 15 | Opens Feb 24 |
Start seeds indoors in February (37)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Last chance - ends Feb 1 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Last chance - ends Feb 1 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Last chance - ends Feb 1 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Last chance - ends Feb 1 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Last chance - ends Feb 1 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Last chance - ends Feb 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Last chance - ends Feb 8 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Last chance - ends Feb 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Last chance - ends Feb 8 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Last chance - ends Feb 8 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Last chance - ends Feb 8 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Pumpkin | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Sunflower | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Winter Squash | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Opens Feb 15 |
Planting dates for popular crops in Texas
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Texas: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Last-frost month: February garden jobs in Texas
- The average last frost is March 15. Hardy crops can go out now - mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion - but hold tender ones like tomatoes, peppers and squash until after that date.
- Start hardening off indoor seedlings 7-10 days before they go out: a few hours of outdoor shade first, building up to full sun and nights outside.
- Keep row cover or old sheets handy and watch the 10-day forecast - a clear, still night after a warm spell is the classic late-frost setup.
- Soil temperature matters as much as the calendar: most warm-season seed rots below about 60°F. Check the frost dates guide for how the Texas average is worked out.
USDA zone chart for Texas
Texas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a. 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 Texas in February?
65 crops have a window in February: mache (corn salad), pea, spinach, green onion / scallion, arugula, beet, fava bean (broad bean), mizuna, onion, radish and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Texas in February?
No - start seeds indoors runs Jan 18 – Feb 1 in Texas, so do it before February 1.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Texas in February?
No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 8 – Feb 22 in Texas, so do it before February 22.
When is the first frost in Texas?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 15. Texas 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 Texas?
Ground Cherry (Jan 18 – Feb 1), Lemon Balm (Jan 18 – Feb 1), Shiso (Perilla) (Jan 18 – Feb 1), Sweet Marjoram (Jan 18 – Feb 1), Tomatillo (Jan 18 – Feb 1), Tomato (Jan 18 – Feb 1), Broccoli (Jan 25 – Feb 8), Brussels Sprouts (Jan 25 – Feb 8), Cabbage (Jan 25 – Feb 8), Cauliflower (Jan 25 – Feb 8), Kale (Jan 25 – Feb 8), Basil (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Collard Greens (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Endive & Escarole (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Kohlrabi (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Malabar Spinach (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Okra (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Radicchio (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Summer Savory (Feb 1 – Feb 15), Bitter Melon (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Cucamelon (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Fennel (Bulb) (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Lettuce (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Napa Cabbage (Feb 8 – Feb 22), New Zealand Spinach (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Peanut (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Swiss Chard (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Watercress (Feb 8 – Feb 22), Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Cucumber (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Pumpkin (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Sunflower (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Watermelon (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Winter Squash (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Zucchini / Summer Squash (Feb 15 – Mar 1).
What to plant in February in other states
Dates are computed from Texas’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.