My Planting Calendar

What to plant in February in Virginia

In Virginia (VA), February sits about 8 weeks before the average last frost (April 15). The state averages 188 frost-free days a year (last frost April 15, first frost October 20; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).

29 crops have a sowing or planting window this month - and 5 of those windows close during February.

Dates here come from Virginia frost dates (last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in Virginia.

Seed-starting seasonSow or plant: 29Start indoors: 29Harvesting: 0

Virginia 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.

Virginia: planting activity through the year

5
29
65
90
58
10
18
35
19
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 15 – Oct 20
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 29 have one in February; the busiest month is April (90).

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.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
CeleriacStart seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4Last chance - ends Feb 4
CeleryStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Last chance - ends Feb 11
LeekStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Last chance - ends Feb 11
OnionStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Last chance - ends Feb 11
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11Last chance - ends Feb 11
EggplantStart seeds indoorsFeb 4 – Feb 18Feb 4 – Feb 18
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsFeb 4 – Feb 18Feb 4 – Feb 18
ShallotStart seeds indoorsFeb 4 – Feb 18Feb 4 – Feb 18
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 11 – Feb 25Feb 11 – Feb 25
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 11 – Feb 25Feb 11 – Feb 25
GingerStart seeds indoorsFeb 11 – Feb 25Feb 11 – Feb 25
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsFeb 11 – Feb 25Feb 11 – Feb 25
MintStart seeds indoorsFeb 11 – Feb 25Feb 11 – Feb 25
OreganoStart seeds indoorsFeb 11 – Feb 25Feb 11 – Feb 25
SageStart seeds indoorsFeb 11 – Feb 25Feb 11 – Feb 25
TarragonStart seeds indoorsFeb 11 – Feb 25Feb 11 – Feb 25
ThymeStart seeds indoorsFeb 11 – Feb 25Feb 11 – Feb 25
TurmericStart seeds indoorsFeb 11 – Feb 25Feb 11 – Feb 25
Ground CherryStart seeds indoorsFeb 18 – Mar 4Opens Feb 18
Lemon BalmStart seeds indoorsFeb 18 – Mar 4Opens Feb 18
Shiso (Perilla)Start seeds indoorsFeb 18 – Mar 4Opens Feb 18
Sweet MarjoramStart seeds indoorsFeb 18 – Mar 4Opens Feb 18
TomatilloStart seeds indoorsFeb 18 – Mar 4Opens Feb 18
TomatoStart seeds indoorsFeb 18 – Mar 4Opens Feb 18
BroccoliStart seeds indoorsFeb 25 – Mar 11Opens Feb 25
Brussels SproutsStart seeds indoorsFeb 25 – Mar 11Opens Feb 25
CabbageStart seeds indoorsFeb 25 – Mar 11Opens Feb 25
CauliflowerStart seeds indoorsFeb 25 – Mar 11Opens Feb 25
KaleStart seeds indoorsFeb 25 – Mar 11Opens Feb 25

Planting dates for popular crops in Virginia

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

When to plant onion in Virginia →When to plant eggplant in Virginia →When to plant bell pepper in Virginia →When to plant chili pepper in Virginia →When to plant tomato in Virginia →When to plant broccoli in Virginia →When to plant cabbage in Virginia →When to plant cauliflower in Virginia →Virginia frost dates by zone →

Seed-starting season: February garden jobs in Virginia

  1. Start 29 crops indoors this month, including celeriac, celery, leek, onion. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. 8 weeks until the average last frost (April 15). The seed-starting calculator works out each crop's exact sowing date from it.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 Virginia

Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Virginia 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 Virginia in February?

No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 18 – Mar 4 in Virginia.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Virginia the next lettuce window opens around March 11: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Virginia?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 15. Virginia 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 Virginia?

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).

← January in VirginiaMarch in Virginia →Full-year Virginia planting calendar →Virginia frost dates →

What to plant in February in other states

DelawareDistrict of ColumbiaMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvaniaWest VirginiaAlabamaAlaskaAll states →

Dates are computed from Virginia’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.