February is a month that still falls under the heading of winter, which can lead many to view it as a dead month for the garden.
There is really no such thing though, as our February checklist proves. There are plenty of vegetables and flowers that you can plant during February too – think of it as a warm-up for spring!
Vegetables
Peas
Peas are an ideal vegetable to plant in February, as long as you select a type that is suitable for being sown early in the year. Smooth-seeded peas tend to be the best kinds for winter planting – put them in pots within either a cold frame or greenhouse at first though, as this will protect them from both mice and the winter weather.
Tomatoes
Technically, tomatoes are a fruit – but they are still fine for February planting. Sow the seeds towards the end of the month and put them in plant pots rather than garden beds. They must be kept warm, so either wrap the pots in plastic bags or set up a heat propagator in your greenhouse.
Onions
Onions are another great vegetable choice for planting in February. You can either plant seeds or bulb sets – but there is a lot to recommend the former.
Onion seeds are less likely to flower too quickly, and this is something you really want to avoid. It will lead to them becoming too hard to eat. Seeds are cleaner too, creating less danger of white rot and similar diseases. Plant them in pots during February and then move to the garden in spring.
Broad beans
The majority of beans are unsuitable for planting in winter, but broad beans are an exception. They will grow well even when it is cold and provide plenty of ground cover.
You can put them straight into your garden during February if you wish, but the alternative is to keep them in your greenhouse. Sow them within toilet roll tubes that are full of potting mix, with a single large seed for each tube. Move to the garden when they are roughly 5-7cm in height.
Cabbage
Cabbage should be planted in plug trays during February, with a couple for each plug. Should both of the seeds germinate, take the weakest out. They can then be put into your garden beds as soon as spring starts, spaced roughly 50cm from each other.
Flowers
Sweet peas
Sweet peas look beautiful when they bloom during summer, and February is the ideal time to plant them for that.
The seeds should be sown in cardboard tubes or plant pots that are made of something biodegradable. Sow one to each, so that the roots do not become tangled, and store in a cold frame or greenhouse without heating. Then, move to the garden in spring.
Dahlias
It is possible to plant dahlias in February, but you must be careful. These flamboyant and colourful flowers do not cope well with cold and frosty conditions, so only ever plant indoors in pots during that month. Keep them in a warm greenhouse and move to your garden in May. Planting them during February will ensure an early summer bloom.
Cosmos
Cosmos are lovely flowers that bloom with deep pink and white petals. Again, they should be sown in plant pots or trays during February, with peat-free compost beneath them. Cosmos also need plenty of light to grow, so place them next to a window. Once they start to grow a bit bigger, you can pick them out.
Snapdragons
The optimal months for sowing snapdragon seeds are January and February. They can flower in many different shades, so they are a great way to add lots of colour to your garden. Plant them indoors within pots if you want to sow during February and keep it fairly warm, as well as close to a window for the sunlight. The seeds will take roughly three weeks to germinate; make sure the trays are dry and use seed compost that is peat-free.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are similar to dahlias in that they prefer warmer temperatures, but can be planted during February as long as you keep them indoors. Sow the seeds late in the month within pots and keep them in a warm environment. They can be moved into the garden after the last of the winter frost has passed and the soil is warm.
Any of these vegetables or flowers can be planted in February to provide you with food and colour for the summer. It’s time to get started!
