What to Plant in February for Your Kitchen Garden
It may be winter, but our cool season plants can grow well in February in the DMV. I remember the first year I tried winter sowing and was worried to see my lettuce peeking out of the soil by mid-February. It snowed and those little plants still bounced back, because seeds started directly in the garden in winter are hardy like that!
Harden Off and Transplant These Seedlings in the Garden
These would be the seeds you started indoors last month. A few garden centers may start carrying these plants soon, but many wait until late April (which is too late to start a cool season garden in the DMV). You can find fresh potted herbs at the grocery store. Those can be transplanted into the garden after they are hardened off!
Herbs: Cilantro, dill, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme
Flowers: Alyssum, borage, calendula, chamomile, nasturtium, pansies, petunia, snapdragon, violas
Large cool season plants: Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale
Medium cool season plants: Collards, fennel, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard greens, pak choi/bok choy, radicchio, swiss chard
Best Seeds to Direct Sow in February
You’ll notice kale, lettuce, and swiss chard on this list as well as the list above. You can transplant them, plant them from seed straight into the garden outside, or both (if you want to have new plants growing as the others mature–called succession planting).
Root veggies: Beets, carrots, radishes, scallions/spring onion (bulbs won't get as big as fall planted onion), turnips
Small leafy greens: Arugula, lettuce, spinach, spring mix
Other: Kale, peas, swiss chard
Best Seeds to Start Indoors in February
Starting more herbs (like sage and thyme) and heat tolerant greens (like kale and swiss chard) will allow you to fill in blank spaces if certain plants need a refresh.
Herbs: Basil, sage, summer savory, thyme
Warm season fruits: Cucumber, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes
Flowers: Anise hyssop, coreopsis, echinacea, marigold, strawflower, zinnia
Heat tolerant (larger) greens: Kale, swiss chard
Timing is one of the keys to garden success.
You may know our frost dates, but did you know we have three growing seasons in the DMV? Download this guide to our local growing seasons so you can save time and money by planting the right plants at the right time.
