February always gets me excited because I can really start some seeds indoors. I know it’s still winter outside, but with my grow lights blazin’, it feels like the gardening season is right around the corner.
Seeds I’m Starting Indoors this Month
- Cherry Rainbow Blend Tomatoes {perfect for salads}
- Italian Roma Tomatoes{for eating fresh and sauce}
- Ace Tomatoes {for canning}
- Cherokee Purple Tomatoes{ the best tomato on the PLANET!}
- Better Bush Tomatoes {for eating fresh}
- Principe Borghese Tomatoes {for roasting and dehydrating}
- Green Zebra Tomatoes{LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one}
- Sun Gold Tomatoes {My daughters favorite}
- Red and Yellow Pear Tomatoes {great for snacking and on salads}
- Speckled Roman Tomatoes {I tried this one for the first time in 2013}
- Black Krim Tomatoes {The HH’s favorite}
- Endive {to add to salads}
- Microgreens {awesome, because they only take about 10 days till harvest}
- Pansies {hardy little flower to add some color in early spring}
- Lobelia {awesome for hanging baskets or pots}
- Swiss Chard
- Basil {to pick as I need it–or to make pesto}
- Parsley
- Thyme
See the full list of seeds I’ll be planting this year
What I Plan to Plant/Transplant Outside this Month
- Rhubarb
- Raspberry Canes
- Blueberry Bushes {towards the end of the month}
- Fruit Trees {bare root variety, so you can get them in the ground while they are still dormant}
Plants and/or Bulbs I Plan to Purchase this Month
- Raspberry Canes
- Blueberry Bushes
- Fruit Trees
What I plan to Harvest This Month
- Microgreens {How to grow microgreens}
- Sprouts {How to grow sprouts}
Houseplants and Indoor Bulbs
If you are forcing indoor bulbs, keep the soil barely moist. If you are starting to see some sprouting, it is time to bring the pot into the brightest room you can. As the days get longer, you can start to increase your watering schedule on houseplants. Make sure to continue to check them for dust and spider mites.
Trees and Shrubs
Late February is a good time to prune some of those deciduous trees and shrubs. Remove any dead branches or crossed branches. Avoid pruning any spring flowering shrubs, they like it better if you wait until after they’ve bloomed.
Weed and Pest Control
Nature is doing the job for you here. The cold weather will keep the pests at bay for now.
Lawn Care
Enjoy a final month of nothing to do with the lawn. Those of you in colder climates may get a couple more months of relaxation, but here in Washington, it’s coming to an end.
These garden chores are based on my Zone 8a Seattle/Tacoma WA location. Find your garden zone HERE.
Michele says
I’m shocked that where you are in Washington is the same zone as myself in Dallas, TX! I found that when I started my tomato seeds indoors last February they weren’t big enough or strong enough to withstand the Texas heat that zapped us. So I started my tomatoes early January. My broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are still growing and doing well still. All my herbs are alive and thriving (never done them so shocked there too).
I still have a bunch to plants by most outside so gotta wait a few more weeks. Do you start your squash and zucchini inside? Or outside?
Mavis Butterfield says
I start the squash outside. 🙂
Felicia says
Holy Tomato variety! 11 kinds! Wow! I’m planning to do around 30 plants total, not sure how many varieties I will do. How many plants will you plant in the end?
No peppers in February? That’s what I typically start this month, Tomatoes and Peppers. I’m in zone 5a.
Barbee says
My favorite February chore is to check the asparagus bed-every day. Just in case there are any early spears.
Asparagus:My most economically successful crop. I encourage everyone who can to grow a bed.
Lisa says
I just finished transplanting my blueberry bushes (4 Bluecrop, 1 Draper, 1 Legacy) into 15 gallon black nursery pots. That should be big enough for life.
Why are you waiting until the end of the month to plant yours? They are best transplanted while still dormant, and they already are forming flowering and leaf buds.
I quit starting seeds indoors. Too much trouble for me, and I only want a few tomatoes, peppers and cucs. There are always back-yard gardeners selling their starts and saving me the work!