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Gardening Calendar: What to Plant in February

February 5, 2021 by Catherine 4 Comments

Wondering what to plant in February? This list of flowers, vegetables and bulbs will get you organised.

What can I plant in February?

We’re almost there…. February is underway and spring is just around the corner.  I still want it to hurry up though!

It really won’t be long before I’m up to my neck in packets of seed and fussing over my labelled pots like a mother hen.  But the fact remains that it’s still winter, and most plants just won’t tolerate being started off until the weather warms up a bit and the light improves.  That said, there are some that will happily get going in February if you just can’t wait to grow something.

Here’s what to plant in February.

Flowers to plant in February

geraniums

Hardy Geraniums

I love hardy geraniums because they’re one of those garden plants that ticks lots of boxes. They’re tough and aren’t fussy about where they grow, they flower for months, and they’re a good source of food for pollinating insects. They’re also a great plant for dividing to make new, free plants – I’ve got lots of them in my garden and I only bought one plant!

plants for a summer garden sweet peas

Sweet Peas

*Sweet peas are great for adding height and fragrance to your garden, and they make a lovely cut flower too. They’re also ideal for growing with children as the seeds are easy to handle and the plants will cope with heavy-handed watering.

lupins

Lupins

Lupins are hardy perennial plants, so they will tolerate planting in February. You can choose from a huge range of colours too. Lupins like free-draining soil and a sunny spot, although they will put up with partial shade too.

violas

Violas

Violas are super-tough and you can plant them right through winter. If your garden is looking a little bare before spring gets going, they’re a great option for February plants and a low-cost way to perk things up. They will be happiest in partial shade, but will cope with full sun or full shade too.

Bulbs to plant in February

Gardeners World Live lilies

Lilies

*Lily bulbs can be planted now; choose a sunny position and ideally rich, well-drained soil. You can also grow them in containers, but you’ll need to provide some protection from frost as the bulbs will be more exposed to cold temperatures. This video is a good guide for planting lilies in containers:

Vegetables to plant in February

what to plant in february chillies

Chillies

If you’re looking for vegetable seeds to sow in February, chillies are worth considering. You can sow these little fireballs this month, but they need to be in a greenhouse or indoors on a sunny windowsill as they need the heat to germinate.  Our favourite is *Apache, which is a small plant that produces loads of chillies with a real kick.  We always dry some of the crop too, the bright red fruits look lovely hanging in the kitchen.

what to plant in february broad beans

Broad Beans

*Broad beans are easy to grow and not very fussy about the soil they are in.  The seeds are big, so children can plant this crop easily too.  Sow them in pots in the greenhouse and plant them out from March – this is a particularly good idea if you’re planning on growing more than one type of bean, as you can spread out the harvest and avoid a big glut.

what to plant in february leeks

Leeks

*Leeks take a long time to grow, so starting them as early as February is a good idea.  You can sow the seeds in pots in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame this month. Doing it this way also makes it easier to separate the seedlings when you plant them out.  I think we’ll have a go at harvesting early this year so we can have lovely tender baby leeks; this will also free up space for other crops.

what to plant in february onions

Onions & Shallots

The easiest way to grow *onions and shallots are from ‘sets’. You plant a ‘set’ onion in the ground and it grows into a bigger onion, which you then harvest.  *Shallot sets are planted the same way, but each one grows a cluster of shallots (a bit like garlic).  They are a great vegetable for children to plant, as you just push them into the earth until only the tip is showing.  You often get one or two sets popping out of the soil while they grow, my kids think this is hilarious and love shoving the ‘naughty onions’ back into the ground.

I think this is enough to keep me going until the rush of spring is upon us!  What’s on your list for planting in February?

More gardening inspiration

If you’re also planning some garden maintenance this month, you might also like to check out my post on garden jobs for February.

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Ready to get planting in the garden? Check out these top picks for what to plant in february, including flowers, fruit and vegetables.
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Filed Under: What to Plant Now Tagged With: Allotment, Crops, Family, Food, Garden, Greenhouse, Grow Your Own, Homegrown, Planting, Plants, Seeds, Top Tips, Vegetables, Winter

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Comments

  1. Gemma says

    February 12, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    Great post! I’ve got broad bean and leek seeds already and onion sets are on my list. Had a look locally with no luck so I think I’ll have to buy them online. Those chillies look like prize specimens!

    Reply
    • Catherine says

      February 12, 2015 at 7:06 pm

      Our local horticultural society always sells onion and potato sets and does bulk orders from the seed supplier so they are much cheaper – might be worth investigating if you have a local one? Mine costs £2 a year to be a member!

      Reply
  2. Mogens Jensen says

    February 21, 2021 at 1:30 am

    Thanks for the great information and inspiration, I will certainly keep this address to return for more great stuff.

    Reply

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  1. What to plant now – February | LAB says:
    February 9, 2015 at 12:22 pm

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Hi, I’m Catherine. Welcome to Growing Family, a top UK home & garden blog sharing ideas, inspiration and tips for making the most of busy family life, indoors and out.
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