Which Seedlings to Start Come February

There is no denying that February is cold, and that going out a planting a garden in the snow seems a bit odd. However, as frigid as the month may be, it is the time to begin thinking about the garden. And, actually, it might just be the time to start sowing seeds.

There are lots of garden vegetables that don’t mind a touch of frost here and there. These are crops that, come mid-to-late March, it might be time to put in the ground. Now, imagine if at that time we aren’t talking seeds, but rather 6-week-old seedlings, poised to be full-blown vegetables in a month or more.

When it comes to early spring gardens, especially ones that might provide some food in April and May, getting started in February might be the most productive thing we do all winter. What if the following rows of vegetables were already a foot tall before we were even thinking of putting out those summer squash and tomatoes?

Broccoli

A member of the brassica family, which has a fleet of cold-weather choices, broccoli does its best work when the temperature is still low. February is a great time to get seeds planted in pots indoors, and in about a month, they’ll be eyeing the garden for more serious growth. After harvesting the head, keep them plant around and harvest new florets through the season.

Brussels sprouts

Like broccoli, Brussels sprouts are a brassica and love cold weather. That is why we generally associate Brussels sprouts with the holidays: They are typically harvested in November and December. This is because they have a long growing season and improve with frost. However, they can be started in February to provide an early autumn harvest.

Cabbage

Continuing on our cruciferous conga line of brassicas, cabbages of all sorts are good to go when the weather is cold. If heads of cabbage aren’t your bag, you can go for those loose-leaf Asian varieties like bok choy and Napa cabbage. Start them next to the broccoli plants, and they’ll be ready for transplanting at the same time. They like lots of nitrogen in the soil.

Cauliflower

The last brassica on the list (though many more could be added), cauliflower is slightly less cold-tolerant than its relatives, but that’s not to say it can’t endure a freeze or few. The issue with cauliflower is that it doesn’t like extreme temperatures in either direction. It can be a bit finicky, but it’s also proven an extremely versatile vegetable in the kitchen.

Spinach

Source: Rameshng/Wikimedia

Spinach is one of the classic cold-weather vegetables, and in many cases, it can be planted in the autumn to provide early spring harvests. For those who didn’t do this, spinach seedling can be planted in February and transplanted out into the garden as soon as the soil is workable. They are a powerhouse of nutrients, perfect for sprucing back up after winter’s lack of fresh produce.

Leeks

Too often overlooked and relegated to a sidekick in potato soup, leeks are delicious and sub in great for onions. They are a bit milder than their more popular cousins, and they are one of the first green vegetables available each year. Like spinach (and onions), leeks are often planted in fall for early spring harvests. However, summer leeks can be started in February.

Onions

To be honest, most gardeners just buy onion sets when they grow onions. However, for those hoping to grow from seed, onions should be sown indoors around February in order to plant the sets in early spring. There are some good things about growing your own sets, such as a wider variety of choices and ensuring first-year onions that won’t bolt.

Lettuce

Source: Jennifer Davis/Flickr

Nothing says fresh, crisp vegetables quite like a bite of salad, and nothing says salad so much so as lettuce. Lettuce, for the most part, is a shoulder-season—spring and fall—vegetable. The loose-leaf varieties provide harvestable leaves within a couple of months, and they will last until the summer turns the thermostat way up.

Peas

Lots of legumes are summer sun worshippers, but peas are famously not so. They like cold weather and wilt in the summer. The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends planting peas as soon as the soil can be worked. For some, that’s later than February, but for many late February is just right. Peas can germinate with soil temperatures in the low 40s.

Potatoes

Potatoes, unlike other nightshades, can deal with a bit of cold, and they can definitely be planted with the weather is still a bit unsavory. In fact, in milder USDA Climate Zones, they can be put out as early as February, when the soil is workable. Just give them a heavy mulch to prevent them from freezing.

Starting in January

So, knowing all these veggies are fated from February planting, January is the perfect time to start sourcing the seeds and potting soil for this year’s seedlings. With any luck, fresh veggies will be on the table come April, before the tomatoes and cucumbers are even in the ground.

Related Content:

• Winter Care for Fruit Trees
• Mache – The Sturdiest of Greens for the Winter Garden
• Great Flowers to Plant for Your Winter Garden
• 8 Must-Read Winter Gardening Tips
• 7 Things You Should Be Saving Over Winter for Next Spring’s Garden
• The Easiest Vegetables to Grow at Home for Winter Soups and Stews
• 7 Trees That Fruit in Winter

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