Club Benefits
January brought an onslaught of snow and freezing temperatures across much of the U.S., but even milder regions are in the depths of winter. When the weather is this cold, spring and summer harvests can seem especially far away, and many gardeners are still taking a well-earned break from yard work. But as February arrives, it’s not too early to get a head start on the growing season.
Depending on your growing zone, different plants will be suitable for planting in February. Some are hardy enough to withstand winter temperatures, even early in their growing journey. They may even need some cold exposure to help prompt germination. Others are slow to mature and therefore benefit from a little extra time before spring arrives. Regardless, all will grow best if started indoors, where temperatures can be controlled and there is no risk of exposure to an early frost.
7 seeds to start growing indoors in February
1. Thyme
This herb is a staple in many kitchens and is equally popular as a garden plant, thanks to its pleasant fragrance, drought tolerance, and compact size. Thyme can be grown outdoors in containers or directly in the ground, or kept indoors permanently.
Although native to the Mediterranean, thyme can survive as a perennial in U.S. zones 5 through 9 and prefers to start growing several weeks before spring arrives. When growing thyme from seed, it’s best to begin preparing the seeds even earlier: around eight to 10 weeks before the last frost. This is because the seeds can take 21-30 days to germinate, even when kept inside at consistently mild temperatures.
By the time the plants are ready to transplant outdoors, the risk of frost should have passed. Don’t overwater and make sure to use well-draining soil to help your thyme plants thrive.
2. Onion
Another culinary staple worldwide, onions are a practical plant to grow at home. They are part of the allium family, which includes leeks, garlic, and scallions, but unlike the flower allium (also known as ornamental onion), onions don’t grow from bulbs; they grow from seeds.
Planting these seeds is the easiest way to grow a healthy crop of onions, although you’ll want to make sure to pick the right variety for your region. If you live in zones 3-6, plant ‘short day’ onions; if you live in zones 7-10, plant ‘long day’ onions. The names refer to the amount of sunlight they need per day to grow, so short winter days need not be a deterrent.
Onions require 90 days to reach full maturity and prefer cooler weather, so it’s best to begin planting 10-12 weeks before the final frost. For many regions, this will be as soon as early February.
3. Parsley
For something fresh and green after months of bleak winter gray, consider planting parsley. Both curly and flat leaf varieties are useful in cooking and easy to grow in the colder weather. Since the seeds can take a long time to germinate, even up to six weeks, they’re a good candidate for planting in February. By the time they have matured enough to be transplanted outside, the ground will have softened enough to be worked.
To help prompt healthy germination, it can be helpful to soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting. Indoor grow lights can also help ensure that the parsley receives sufficient light. While parsley prefers well-draining soil when adult, the seeds prefer the soil to be kept moist but not waterlogged — consider using a mister to get the right balance.
4. Hot Pepper
Peppers come in many delicious varieties, but the majority should be planted a little later in the year, when conditions are warmer. Despite their name, it’s actually hot peppers that are the one category that can happily be planted when the weather is still cold.
Specifically, look for the hot peppers from the species C. chinense and C. baccatum. Since they require planting 8-10 weeks before the last frost, and take a long time to mature and fruit, they are well-suited to be started from seed in February. Even indoors, conditions may not be warm enough to prompt healthy growth, as hot peppers prefer temperatures of 75-90°F to germinate, so consider using a heating mat underneath the seed flats.
Once the seedlings appear, you can reduce the temperature to around 70°F. Soaking the seeds in warm water overnight can also help speed up germination. As with most seeds, keep them moist during the germination period, but then transplant them into well-draining soil.
5. Snapdragon
With their tall spires of flowers and wide range of colors, snapdragons add height and dimension to any display, whether in the garden or in a bouquet. Yet they’re not as popular as some other garden flowers, perhaps because they take so long to grow. Fortunately, this means they’re perfect for the gardener who wants to get started with seeds in February.
Snapdragons are a little trickier to grow from seed, but this can be a fun challenge for anyone with a bit of experience under their belt. For best results, put your seeds in the freezer until you are ready to start; this mimics their natural lifecycle of winter exposure pre-germination.
When ready, approximately 8-10 weeks before the average last frost, transfer two seeds to each seed cell and lightly cover with soil. Wait to transplant until each seedling has grown a few sets of leaves and hardened off, at which point they should be frost-hardy.
6. Salvia
Salvia is another elegant flowering plant with tall spires, although these are made up of tiny flowers in purple, blue, or pink. They don’t flower until early summer, but then they have a surprisingly long bloom time, which can linger into the fall, making them very popular with pollinators later in the year. Planting in February may seem too early, but salvias prefer cooler weather during germination.
Prepare the seeds 8-10 weeks before the last average frost and place them in trays full of seed compost — but do not cover them, as they require light to germinate. After 2-3 weeks, seedlings should emerge. Salvia seeds can handle temperatures of 60-70°F, so most indoor spaces should be sufficient without need for additional heating pads. Wait until the last frost has passed and the plants have hardened off before transplanting outside.
7. Black-eyed Susan
Looking like a cross between sunflowers and daisies, with their vibrant yellow, long petals and deep brown seed centers, black-eyed Susans are a cheerful addition to any garden. Also known as rudbeckia, these flowers bloom continuously until autumn and are popular with bees and butterflies.
This plant is more suitable for February planting in warmer climates, where the last average frost is only 5-7 weeks away, but it can handle germination temperatures of 68-77°F, so it may be fine to keep the seedlings indoors a little longer than the others. Seeds should be placed in seed trays, modules, or even containers and lightly covered in soil, which should be kept moist throughout germination. Don’t transplant until the last frost has passed and the plants are large enough to be handled comfortably.
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