What to plant in February in zone 8
USDA zone 8 has winter lows of 10 to 20°F, a typical last spring frost around Mar 20 and first fall frost around Nov 5, roughly 230 frost-free days. February is the "seed-starting season" there.
61 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 come from the typical frost dates of USDA zone 8 (last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 5). A zone covers many climates, so for dates tuned to your town use the planting calendar, or pick your state below.
Zone 8: planting activity through the year
Last chance in February
Ground Cherry (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Lemon Balm (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Shiso (Perilla) (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Sweet Marjoram (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Tomatillo (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Tomato (start seeds indoors, by Feb 6) · Broccoli (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Brussels Sprouts (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Cabbage (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Cauliflower (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13) · Kale (start seeds indoors, by Feb 13)
Sow or plant outdoors in February (45)
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 8 – Feb 27 | Feb 8 – Feb 27 |
| Pea | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 8 – Feb 27 | Feb 8 – Feb 27 |
| Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 8 – Feb 27 | Feb 8 – Feb 27 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Transplant outdoors | Feb 13 – Mar 2 | Opens Feb 13 |
| Arugula | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Beet | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Mizuna | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Onion | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Radish | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Shallot | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Tatsoi | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Collard Greens | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Horseradish | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Kale | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Kohlrabi | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Onion | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Rhubarb | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Shallot | Transplant outdoors | Feb 20 – Mar 9 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Carrot | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Chervil | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Endive & Escarole | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Kohlrabi | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Mustard Greens | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Turnip | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Watercress | Direct sow (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Opens Feb 22 |
| Asparagus | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Cauliflower | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Chives | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Endive & Escarole | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Leek | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Lettuce | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Napa Cabbage | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Parsley | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Radicchio | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Sorrel | Plant crowns / divisions | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
| Watercress | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Mar 16 | Opens Feb 27 |
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 23 – Feb 6 | Last chance - ends Feb 6 |
| Lemon Balm | Start seeds indoors | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Last chance - ends Feb 6 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Start seeds indoors | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Last chance - ends Feb 6 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Start seeds indoors | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Last chance - ends Feb 6 |
| Tomatillo | Start seeds indoors | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Last chance - ends Feb 6 |
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Last chance - ends Feb 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Last chance - ends Feb 13 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Collard Greens | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Endive & Escarole | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Kohlrabi | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Malabar Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Okra | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Radicchio | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Summer Savory | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Bitter Melon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Cucamelon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Lettuce | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Napa Cabbage | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Peanut | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Watercress | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Pumpkin | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Sunflower | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Winter Squash | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Opens Feb 20 |
Seed-starting season: February garden jobs in zone 8
- Start 37 crops indoors this month, including ground cherry, lemon balm, shiso (perilla), sweet marjoram. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
- 5 weeks until the average last frost (March 20). 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.
Questions gardeners ask
What can I plant in zone 8 in February?
61 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.
When are the last and first frost in zone 8?
The typical last spring frost is around Mar 20 and the first fall frost around Nov 5. These are broad zone averages, so your own town can be a week or two either side: look yours up by ZIP code in the planting calendar.
What should I start indoors in zone 8 in February?
Ground Cherry (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Lemon Balm (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Shiso (Perilla) (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Sweet Marjoram (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Tomatillo (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Tomato (Jan 23 – Feb 6), Broccoli (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Brussels Sprouts (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Cabbage (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Cauliflower (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Kale (Jan 30 – Feb 13), Basil (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Collard Greens (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Endive & Escarole (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Kohlrabi (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Malabar Spinach (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Okra (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Radicchio (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Summer Savory (Feb 6 – Feb 20), Bitter Melon (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Bok Choy / Pak Choi (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Cucamelon (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Fennel (Bulb) (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Lettuce (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Napa Cabbage (Feb 13 – Feb 27), New Zealand Spinach (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Peanut (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Swiss Chard (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Watercress (Feb 13 – Feb 27), Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Cucumber (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Pumpkin (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Sunflower (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Watermelon (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Winter Squash (Feb 20 – Mar 6), Zucchini / Summer Squash (Feb 20 – Mar 6).
February in states with land in zone 8
Zone 8 in other months
What to plant in February in other zones
Dates are computed from the zone’s typical frost dates and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side.