What to plant in February
Get a head start on the growing year with our list of seeds, bulbs, trees, shrubs and perennials to plant in February.
February is a good month to start sowing seed undercover. By sowing seeds early on in the year, you get a longer growing season, giving crops like tomatoes a better chance of ripening by the end of summer. If you have a heated propagator and grow lamp, you can start sowing tender vegetables such as chillies, aubergines and tomatoes, but even without one you can sow seeds of hardier vegetables such as peas and kale in pots on a warm, sunny windowsill. For an earlier show of flowers, sow sweet peas and cosmos indoors, ready to plant seedlings outdoors in spring.
This time of year is also perfect for planting bare-root trees and shrubs, saving money on buying potted plants later in the year. Some perennials are also available to buy as bare-root plants, including Japanese anemones and hardy geraniums. By planting them in February you can get them off to a good start, as they will start growing as soon as temperatures increase. For a boost of colour in your borders come spring and summer, plant summer-flowering bulbs like eucomis and lilies in pots.
You will need:
It’s exciting to be able to start sowing a variety of different seeds at this time of year, and to give them the best chance you might find that it's worth investing in additional kit, which we've suggested below.
- Heated propagators: Available in a range of shapes and sizes, we’ve suggested the best heated propagators, which provide the perfect growing conditions for seedlings.
- Cold Frames: If you’re prepared to add a bit of extra insulation, a cold frame offers protection against wintry weather and can help hardy seeds get off to a flying start too – check out our pick of the best garden cold frames.
- Greenhouses: For those of you who have been toying with the idea of a greenhouse, we’ve got handy guides packed with information about how to choose the best greenhouse, as well as 12 of the most useful greenhouse accessories. No outside space? No problem – our round-up of the best indoor greenhouses is just for you.
Vegetables to grow in February
Leeks
When to harvest: August to February.
How to grow: sow leeks indoors during February, into modular trays or pots. Seed should be sown about 1cm deep. Indoors, they'll need a temperature of 10-15ºC to germinate. Use a heated propagator or put the pot inside a plastic bag until the seeds have germinated. Germination should take 14-21 days. Once the seedlings outgrow their trays or initial pots, move them into bigger pots. After around eight weeks, when the seedlings are about 20cm tall, they can be transplanted outdoors.
- How to grow leeks
- Buy leek seeds from Crocus, Thompson and Morgan and Marshalls
Peas
When to harvest: June to October.
How to grow: sowing peas indoors in February gives you an earlier crop. Sow into pots, modular trays or toilet roll tubes, filled with peat-free multi-purpose compost. Push the seeds into their pots, about 5cm deep as peas need deep pots for their roots. Seedlings can be planted out between March and April, once they have reached 20cm tall.
- How to grow peas
- Buy pea seeds from Suttons, Thompson and Morgan and Marshalls
Kale
When to harvest: September to March.
How to grow: while very hardy, kale seeds need to be started off indoors during winter, as it's too cool outside for the seeds to germinate. Sow seeds indoors in modules or 7cm pots, with 2-3 seeds per module, then thin to leave the healthiest seedling. Keep on a sunny window sill.
- How to grow kale
- Buy kale seeds from Dobies, Crocus, Thompson and Morgan and Sarah Raven
Tomatoes
When to harvest: July to September.
How to grow: tomato seeds need a minimum temperature of 10ºC to germinate, so are best started off in a heated propagator. However, if you wait until the end of the month, a sunny windowsill should be warm enough to encourage germination, just make sure the pots or trays are covered to stop temperatures falling dramatically at night.
- How to grow tomatoes
- Buy tomato seeds from Thompson and Morgan, Crocus and Sarah Raven
Chillies
When to harvest: July to October.
How to grow: chillies are a good crop to start in February, but only if you have a heated propagator as most varieties need a minimum temperature of 21ºC to germinate. Sow 2-3 seeds thinly per small individual pot using peat-free seed compost. Cover to own depth with vermiculite. Once seeds have germinated, remove the propagator lid. Transplant seedlings into 7.5cm pots when the first true leaves appear.
- How to grow chillies
- Buy chilli seeds from Thompson & Morgan, Crocus and Sarah Raven
Aubergines
When to harvest: July to September.
How to grow: like chillies, aubergines need a minimum temperature of 21ºC to germinate, but the earlier you sow them, the longer their season of growth and the greater chance they have to fruit. Sow 2-3 seeds thinly per small individual pot using peat-free seed compost. Cover to own depth with vermiculite. Once the seeds have germinated remove the lid of the propagator. Seedlings need a room temperature of 16-18ºC. Once they have their first set of true leaves prick out the seedlings and transplant into individual 7.5cm pots.
- How to grow aubergines
- Buy aubergine seeds from Thompson & Morgan, Crocus and Sarah Raven
Basil
When to harvest: May to October.
How to grow: basil needs a minimum temperature of around 20ºC to germinate, so it's best sown in a heated propagator, but you may have success on a sunny window sill from the end of the month. Sow basil thinly on the surface of pots or trays of seed compost, and cover with vermiculite. Pot on into individual pots and place on a warm windowsill. Seedlings can be planted outside from June onwards, once the danger of frost is over.
- How to grow basil
- Buy basil seeds from Thompson & Morgan, Crocus and Sarah Raven
Broad beans
When to harvest: May to August.
How to grow: sow broad beans in February for a head start on spring sowings. Sow direct outdoors if conditions are mild or if you have pre-warmed the soil using cloches or fleece. In cold conditions, sow in multi-celled trays in a greenhouse or cold frame, and then plant the young plants out when temperatures have increased. Sow into modular trays or small pots, 5cm deep. Seeds will germinate in around three weeks. Plant out seedlings from March onwards. Harden off plants first, acclimatising them to outdoor temperatures before planting them out.
- How to grow broad beans
- Buy broad bean seeds from Thompson & Morgan, Crocus and Sarah Raven
Fruit to grow in February
Raspberries
When to harvest: June to October.
How to grow: plant raspberry canes between November and March, avoiding any times when the ground is frozen or waterlogged. Plant raspberries 45cm apart in moist, well drained soil. Use the soil mark on the stem as a guide and plant at the same level, taking care not to plant too deeply. Although raspberries can grow in light shade, you will get a better crop in a sunny site.
- How to grow raspberries
- Buy raspberries from Crocus, Thompson and Morgan and Gardening Express
Strawberries
When to harvest: May onwards.
How to grow: bare-root strawberries can be planted between autumn and April, although don't plant if the ground is frozen. If you miss autumn planting, it's best to plant towards the end of February. Plant them in soil that is rich in organic matter, 45cm apart. Dig a hole big enough to hold the roots and make sure the crown isn't too deep, it should be level with the soil surface.
- How to grow strawberries
- Buy strawberries from Crocus, Thompson and Morgan and Gardening Express
Rhubarb
When to harvest: March to July.
How to grow: rhubarb crowns can be planted between autumn and spring. Choose a sunny spot and dig in well-rotted manure or compost before planting, leaving 75cm between plants. Rhubarb crowns should be planted so that the top of the crown is just above the soil surface.
- How to grow rhubarb
- Buy rhubarb from Crocus, Thompson and Morgan and Marshalls
Blackcurrants
When to harvest: July to August.
How to grow: blackcurrants thrive in most soils, apart from poorly drained ground. Plant them during mild spells, between October and March. The canes should be planted 6cm deeper than the soil mark on the stem. Firm in well.
- How to grow blackcurrants
- Buy blackcurrants from Suttons, Thompson and Morgan and Marshalls
Apples
When to harvest: July to October.
How to grow: choose an area in full sun for your apple tree. Bare-root trees can be planted in winter, between October and March. Dig in lots of well-rotted garden compost or manure before planting. When positioning the tree in its hole, make sure that the bulge on the stem (the graft point) is just above soil level.
- How to grow apples
- Buy apples from Suttons, Thompson and Morgan and Blackmoor
Flowers to grow in February
Cosmos
Flowers: June to October.
How to grow: cosmos are easy flowers to grow and they look great in borders or meadows. The seeds need light to germinate, so sow on top of peat-free seed compost in a tray or plant pot placed indoors in a sunny spot such as a window sill, then prick out into individual pots when large enough to handle. Young plants can be moved outside once the danger of frost is over, from May onwards.
- How to grow cosmos
- Buy cosmos seeds from Crocus, Thompson & Morgan and Sarah Raven
Sweet peas
Flowers: May/June to August.
How to grow: sweet peas are a stalwart of the summer garden and they're easy to grow. Sow seeds individually into biodegradable pots or cardboard tubes, as they can be planted out in their containers to avoid root disturbance. Keep them in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame and harden off before planting out in April.
- How to grow sweet peas
- Buy sweet pea seeds from Crocus, Thompson & Morgan and Sarah Raven
Salvias
Flowers: July to October.
How to grow: salvias are great for providing structure and height in the garden, and many varieties can be grown from seed. Sow the seeds in February, scattering them on top of peat-free seed compost, and then cover the seeds with a fine layer of compost or vermiculite. Keep the pots in a light, warm spot indoors, ensuring the compost stays moist. Plant out tender salvias once the danger of frost is over in May or June.
- How to grow salvias
- Buy salvia seeds from Thompson & Morgan, Suttons and Sarah Raven
Eucomis
Flowers: July to September.
How to grow: exotic pineapple lilies (eucomis) are usually planted in spring. It's not too early to plant them in February, but at this time of year you'll have more success if you plant them in pots, as open ground can be wet at this time of year, causing the bulbs to rot. Plant the bulbs 15cm deep in pots in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse, and plant out into the garden when all risk of frost has passed.
- How to grow eucomis
- Buy eucomis bulbs from Crocus, Farmer Gracy and Sarah Raven
Liatris
Flowers: August to September.
How to grow: liatris are tough, herbaceous perennials hailing from North America, beloved by bees and butterflies. Large, extravagant blooms come in shades of pink, purple and white. Plant the bulbs in light, free-draining soil, around 5cm deep. If you have heavy, or waterlogged soil, plant the bulbs in pots to plant out later.
- Buy liatris from Thompson and Morgan, Crocus and Gardening Express
Agapanthus
Flowers: July to September.
How to grow: there are many beautiful types of agapanthus to grow, and getting them started couldn't be easier. Containers are ideal for growing agapanthus, as you can bring them under cover in winter if you need to. Plant the bulbs 8-10cm deep, 10-15cm apart in good quality, well-drained compost. Once frosts have passed, move the pot outdoors to a warm, sunny position.
- How to grow agapanthus
- Buy agapanthus from Thompson and Morgan, Crocus and Gardening Express
Galtonia
Flowers: August to September.
How to grow: galtonia, or summer hyacinths, are stately plants that produce tall spikes of nodding white flowers, which look particularly good when planted in large drifts. They do best in a sunny position in free-draining soil, where the bulbs should be planted 10cm deep, 10cm apart. In heavy soils, plant in pots.
- How to grow summer bulbs in pots
- Buy galtonia from Crocus and Sarah Raven
Hardy geraniums
Flowers: May to September.
How to grow: geraniums, also known as cranesbills, are useful plants to have in the garden. The flowers will last for months, providing food for pollinators, and they're easy to grow. They can also be grown in sun or shade. These robust plants will adapt to suit most soils, except those that are waterlogged. In winter, you can buy bare-root plants, which are cheaper than buying potted hardy geraniums.
- How to grow hardy geraniums
- Buy hardy geraniums from Farmer Gracy, Thompson and Morgan and Sarah Raven
Japanese anemones
Flowers: July to September.
How to grow: reliable and vigorous, Japanese anemones are well suited to borders, blending well with other plants and adding height and structure. During winter, you can buy bare-root plants of Japanese anemones. Grow them in partial shade, in moist, well-drained soil.
- How to grow Japanese anemones
- Buy Japanese anemones from Crocus, Thompson and Morgan and Farmer Gracy
Roses
Flowers: June to October.
How to grow: February is a good time to plant bare-root roses. They are cheaper to buy as bare-root plants. Choose from shrub roses like 'Gertrude Jekyll', which will bring flowers to your border all summer long, or try a climber to cover walls and fences. Roses do best in rich soil, with at least four hours of sun a day.
- How to grow roses
- Buy roses from Crocus, Thompson and Morgan and Gardening Express
Lilies
Flowers: June to August.
How to grow: plant lily bulbs between October and April in an area that gets a lot of sun. There are many varieties of both Oriental and Asiatic lilies to choose from in a huge range of colours including pink, yellow, orange and red, although Oriental lilies are usually pink. Plant Oriental lilies in either acid soil or ericaceous compost, and Asiatic lilies in neutral soil or multi-purpose compost.
- How to grow lilies
- Buy roses from Crocus, Thompson and Morgan and Gardening Express
Trees and shrubs to plant in February
Blackthorn
Flowers: March to April.
Fruits: October to November.
How to grow: blackthorn is a shrub with thorny branches that makes an excellent hedge. It's good for wildlife, with food sources for birds, insects and small mammals as well as nectar for pollinators. Left unpruned, blackthorn can develop into a tree and grows to around 6m tall. Plant between October and March during a mild spell when the ground isn't frozen.
- How to grow blackthorn
- Buy blackthorn from Sarah Raven, Thompson and Morgan and Crocus
Amelanchier lamarkii (Snow mespilus)
Flowers: March to April.
Fruits: June to July.
How to grow: Snowy mespilus can be grown as a tree or a multi-stemmed shrub, providing year-round interest with spring flowers, berries and autumn colour. Plant this tree in moist, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. The best time to plant is autumn or early spring when the ground is not frozen.
- How to grow Amelanchier lamarkii
- Buy Amelanchier lamarkii from Crocus, Thompson and Morgan and Marshalls
Japanese maples
How to grow: grow Japanese maples (acers) in full sun or partial shade. These colourful trees will thrive in moist, slightly acidic soil, in a sheltered spot. Add some organic matter to the planting hole to improve the soil.
- How to grow Japanese maples
- Buy Japanese maples from Crocus, Gardening Express and Thompson & Morgan,