What Are the Best Plants to Grow in February for Zone 7?
As winter begins to loosen its grip, gardeners in Zone 7 eagerly anticipate the first signs of spring and the opportunity to get their hands back in the soil. February is a pivotal month in this region, offering a unique window to start planning and planting for a fruitful growing season. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a beginner, understanding what to plant in February can set the stage for vibrant blooms and bountiful harvests in the months ahead.
Zone 7’s mild winters and early warming trends create an ideal environment for certain crops and flowers to take root before the full rush of spring. This transitional period invites gardeners to think strategically about timing, soil preparation, and seed selection. By tapping into the specific planting opportunities that February presents, you can maximize your garden’s potential and enjoy a thriving landscape well into summer.
Navigating the planting calendar for Zone 7 involves balancing patience with proactive care. The choices you make now influence not only what will flourish but also how your garden responds to the changing seasons. In the following sections, we’ll explore the best plants to start in February, offering guidance to help you cultivate a healthy, vibrant garden from the very beginning of the year.
Vegetables to Start Indoors in February
February is an ideal month for starting several vegetable seeds indoors, especially in Zone 7, where the last frost date typically occurs between late March and early April. Starting seeds indoors gives plants a head start, ensuring a longer growing season and often healthier, more robust plants. Common vegetables to start indoors in February include:
- Tomatoes: Choose disease-resistant varieties suitable for your region.
- Peppers: Both sweet and hot pepper varieties benefit from early indoor sowing.
- Eggplants: Require warm soil temperatures for germination, so indoor starting is essential.
- Broccoli and Cauliflower: These cool-season crops can be started indoors for transplanting after the last frost.
- Cabbage: Like broccoli and cauliflower, cabbage can be started indoors to get a jump on the season.
Ensure seedlings receive adequate light, ideally from a south-facing window or supplemental grow lights, and maintain temperatures between 65°F and 75°F for optimal germination.
Direct Sowing Vegetables in February
While many vegetables are best started indoors in February, Zone 7’s mild climate allows for direct sowing of certain hardy crops outdoors. This approach reduces transplant shock and simplifies the process. Vegetables suitable for direct sowing in February include:
- Peas: Sugar snap and snow peas thrive when sown directly in the soil.
- Spinach: Cold-hardy and fast-growing, spinach can be sown directly for early harvests.
- Kale: Another hardy green that withstands cold temperatures.
- Radishes: Quick to mature, radishes can be sown as soon as the soil is workable.
- Lettuce: Some varieties tolerate cooler soil and can be direct seeded.
Prepare soil by loosening it to a depth of 6–8 inches and incorporating organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Protect emerging seedlings from unexpected frosts with row covers or cold frames if necessary.
Herbs Suitable for February Planting
Herbs can be started indoors or sown directly outdoors depending on their hardiness and growth requirements. In February, consider the following herbs for Zone 7:
- Start Indoors:
- Basil: Requires warm conditions, so start indoors to transplant after frost risk passes.
- Parsley: Can be slow to germinate; starting indoors ensures better success.
- Cilantro: Prefers cool weather but can be started indoors for transplanting.
- Direct Sow Outdoors:
- Chives: Hardy perennial herb that can be sown directly in early spring.
- Thyme: Tolerates cold and can be planted outdoors.
- Mint: Best grown in containers but can be started outdoors if protected.
Maintaining consistent moisture and providing adequate light will encourage healthy herb growth.
Flower Seeds to Plant in February
To add color to your garden later in the spring and summer, February is a good time to start certain flower seeds indoors in Zone 7. Popular choices include:
- Marigolds: Easy to start indoors and transplant after frost.
- Petunias: Require indoor starting to bloom early.
- Zinnias: Start indoors to get a jump on the season.
- Snapdragons: Cool-season flowers that transplant well.
- Calendula: Hardy and fast-growing, suitable for early indoor sowing.
These flowers benefit from well-drained seed-starting mix and consistent temperatures around 70°F. Harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors to prevent shock.
Planting Schedule and Seed Starting Chart for Zone 7 February
| Plant Type | Varieties to Start Indoors | Varieties to Direct Sow Outdoors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetables | Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage | Peas, Spinach, Kale, Radishes, Lettuce | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; direct sow cold-tolerant crops |
| Herbs | Basil, Parsley, Cilantro | Chives, Thyme, Mint | Start warm-weather herbs indoors; hardy herbs can be sown outside |
| Flowers | Marigolds, Petunias, Zinnias, Snapdragons, Calendula | None recommended for direct sowing in February | Start indoors; transplant after frost risk |
Vegetables Suitable for Planting in February in Zone 7
February in USDA Hardiness Zone 7 offers an excellent window for starting a variety of cool-season vegetables. The climate is generally mild enough to begin sowing seeds indoors or directly in the garden, depending on local microclimates and weather conditions. Early planting can lead to an extended growing season and earlier harvests.
Prioritize vegetables that tolerate or thrive in cool soil temperatures and can handle occasional frost.
- Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and lettuce can be sown either indoors or directly in the garden under protection.
- Root Vegetables: Carrots, radishes, beets, and turnips are suitable for direct sowing as they germinate well in cooler soils.
- Alliums: Onions and leeks can be started from sets or seeds, often indoors or in cold frames.
- Peas: Both shelling and snap peas can be planted early for a spring harvest.
- Brassicas: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts benefit from indoor seed starting or cold frame transplanting.
| Vegetable | Planting Method | Recommended Planting Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spinach | Direct sow or indoors | Mid to late February | Prefers well-drained soil; mulch to retain moisture |
| Carrots | Direct sow | Late February | Soil should be loose and free of stones |
| Onions (sets or seeds) | Indoors or cold frame | Early February | Seedlings transplant after 6-8 weeks |
| Peas | Direct sow | Late February | Plant in sunny location with support |
| Broccoli | Indoors seed starting | Early February | Transplant seedlings after 6-8 weeks |
Herbs to Start in February in Zone 7
Herbs can be started early to ensure a robust supply throughout the growing season. February is ideal for beginning many perennial and annual herbs indoors, providing them with the controlled environment necessary for healthy development.
Consider these herbs for February sowing or propagation:
- Basil: Start indoors; basil requires warmth and light, so a sunny window or grow light is essential.
- Parsley: Can be started indoors or directly sown outdoors in protected areas.
- Chives: Easy to propagate from seeds or divisions; starting indoors accelerates growth.
- Cilantro: Best started indoors or in cold frames; prefers cooler temperatures.
- Thyme and Oregano: Perennials that benefit from indoor seed starting or cuttings in February.
| Herb | Starting Method | Optimal Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Indoors seed starting | Warm, bright light | Transplant after last frost |
| Parsley | Indoors or direct sow | Cool to moderate temperatures | Slow to germinate; soak seeds overnight |
| Chives | Seeds or division | Moderate light and moisture | Perennial; divides easily |
| Cilantro | Indoors or cold frame | Cool temperatures | Bolts quickly in heat |
| Thyme | Seed starting or cuttings | Well-drained soil, moderate light |