Vegetable Seeds to Sow in February

Aubergine

February is an excellent time to sow aubergine seeds indoors, giving these heat-loving plants a head start before they move outside. Use seed trays with high-quality compost, placing them in a warm, sunny spot. A temperature of around 21°C (70°F) ensures good germination. Once the seedlings emerge, ensure they have ample light and monitor moisture levels carefully. These early steps help establish a strong foundation for your aubergines, which can later flourish into handsome plants bearing sumptuous fruits. After the last frost, transplant them into the garden or greenhouse, where they’ll soak up the sun and promise a vibrant summer harvest.

Broad Beans

For a delicious early harvest, sow broad beans indoors or outdoors this February. They thrive in well-drained soil and can tolerate cooler temperatures, making it a prime sowing option. Space seeds about 5-7.5 cm (2-3 inches) deep and 15-23 cm (6-9 inches) apart. Young plants benefit from protection against harsh weather with cloches or fleece. With little fuss, your broad beans will soon produce a rewarding crop of large, rich pods. These beans are a versatile ingredient, perfect for soups, stews, or as a simple green side dish celebrating fresh, home-grown goodness.

Cabbage (Summer/Autumn)

Sowing summer and autumn cabbage seeds indoors in February ensures a bountiful crop as the seasons transition. Using trays filled with seed compost, keep their environment warm at 15-21°C (60-70°F) for optimal growth. Once seedlings grow strong, transfer them to their final garden positions following the last frost. Cabbages enjoy sunny and fertile soil, bringing vibrant heads rich in flavour and nutrition. With their readiness to grow in cooler weather, you’ll appreciate a supply of this versatile vegetable for salads, slaws, and cooked dishes from mid-summer through autumn.

Carrot

Start sowing carrots in February if your soil is warm enough in sheltered areas. Opt for a sunny location with light, sandy loam for best results. Sow seeds lightly spaced and cover with a thin layer of soil. Clear the area of stones and clumps to ensure straight, long roots. Keep the soil moist to encourage germination. As plants grow, thin them to prevent overcrowding. These early efforts lead to crunchy, sweet carrots by summer. Harvested carrots add crisp flavour to salads, soups, and roasts, delivering fresh produce with distinctive home-grown taste.

Cayenne Pepper

February is perfect for sowing cayenne pepper seeds indoors. Place seeds in pots or trays with quality compost and provide warmth at around 21-27°C (70-81°F). Aim to keep them in a sunny position to ensure the seedlings develop well. As shoots emerge, continue watering and offer consistent warmth. When the risk of frost has fully passed, transplant the sturdy plants outdoors or into greenhouse containers. Cayenne peppers mature beautifully, rewarding growers with fiery, flavourful fruits that can spice up any dish, from sauces to pickles, or dried for long-term kitchen storage.

Celery

Begin your celery seeds indoors this February for strong, crunchy stalks by summer’s end. Plant seeds in trays and keep the temperature between 15-21°C (60-70°F) to aid germination. Ensure young plants receive adequate light and water to thrive. After the last frost, transfer them to a sunny, sheltered garden spot with rich, moist soil. Regular watering helps prevent the stalks from becoming tough, ensuring your efforts are repaid with a crisp, flavourful crop. Enjoy celery raw, in salads, as a garnish, or in a myriad of cooked dishes highlighting its unique flavour.

Corn Salad

Also known as lamb’s lettuce, corn salad is a hardy plant that can be sown directly outdoors in February. Choose a well-drained, fertile spot for these seeds. Cover lightly with soil and water gently, maintaining moisture levels as they germinate. This resilient crop can withstand cold temperatures, offering a fresh supply of tender, nutty leaves perfect for early spring salads. They add a bright flavour to salads or can be cooked lightly for a warm accompaniment to dishes. With continuous sowing, you’ll maintain a supply of this versatile leafy green throughout the season.

Cucumber

Get ahead with cucumbers by sowing seeds indoors this February. Use pots with multipurpose compost, keeping them warm and well-lit. Ideal temperatures for germination are around 20°C (68°F). Once seedlings develop, handle them carefully to avoid disturbing delicate roots. Shift them outdoors when risks of frost subside, ideally in a sheltered, sunny spot. Cucumbers thrive with consistent watering and support for climbing varieties. The result is a refreshing crop, excellent for salads, pickles, or sandwiches, infusing meals with a crisp, satisfying crunch that speaks of summer.

Endive

February is a great month to sow endive indoors for a steady supply of nutritious greens. Start seeds in trays with quality compost, maintaining a temperature of at least 15°C (59°F). Give them plenty of light for optimal growth. As young plants mature, transplant them outdoors into a sunny position, rich with well-drained soil, as warmer weather arrives. Endive offers a slightly bitter flavour, perfect for tossing into a fresh salad or complementing other greens. With attentive care, this hardy plant rewards you with sturdy, flavourful leaves ready to enhance a range of dishes.

Parsley

Plant parsley seeds indoors in February to establish a supply of this versatile herb. Sow sparingly into pots or seed trays with well-draining compost. Give the seeds ample light and keep temperatures between 18-21°C (65-70°F) for successful germination. Once seedlings stand strong with developed leaves, they can be gradually acclimatised and transferred outside after the last frost. Parsley thrives in sunny or partially shaded garden spots and provides aromatic bursts of flavour. It serves as a garnish or seasoning, adding brightness and fresh taste to a wide array of culinary creations, whether as a main ingredient or subtle accent.

Pak Choi

February is an ideal time to begin sowing pak choi indoors. Fill seed trays with good compost and place them somewhere warm and bright, ensuring temperatures remain around 10-15°C (50-59°F). Once seedlings develop true leaves, harden them off and transplant outdoors after the risk of frost passes. Pak choi thrives in cool conditions within fertile, well-drained soil, offering tender, crisp leaves perfect for salads and stir-fry. Numerous ongoing harvests ensure a continuous supply from spring through autumn. Engage flavour and texture with pak choi in your kitchen rotation.

Parsnip

For early sowing, sow parsnips outdoors in February if your ground isn’t frozen. Choose a well-prepared, stone-free bed with rich, well-drained soil and full sun. Space seeds thinly and cover lightly with soil. Parsnips require patience as they take a while to germinate, with the first shoots emerging in cooler conditions. Keep the soil moist throughout, thinning seedlings as they grow to avoid overcrowding. By autumn, you’ll enjoy a crop of hearty, sweet roots that elevate roasts, stews, and soups with their distinct earthy flavour and tenderness, or impress as a standalone dish.

Peas

February marks a sound start for sowing peas, tapping into cooler growing conditions these plants adore. Sow directly outside or indoors if frost threatens. Hardy varieties particularly suit this early planting. Space seeds about 2.5 cm (1 inch) deep and 6 cm (2.5 inches) apart in rich soil. You can expect the pretty green plants to produce succulent pods, a treat both raw or cooked. Offering fresh flavour, peas enhance meals through salads, soups, or side dishes. Regular picking prolongs fruiting, delivering an abundance of home-grown garden delights in the season.

Pepper

February is ideal for sowing peppers indoors. Use pots or seed trays with compost and maintain temperatures between 21-27°C (70-81°F) for effective germination. Position these in a sunny area for optimal growth, watering consistently. Once seedlings have developed, transplant them after the last frost for outdoor growth—peppers flourish in warm, sunny spots. With proper care, they reward growers with vibrant, richly flavoured fruits that bring heat and colour to culinary endeavours from salads and salsas to spicy condiments and grilled dishes. Grow a variety of peppers to suit all your taste preferences.

Strawberry

Start strawberries this February indoors using seeds, cold-stored runners, or bare-root plants. Focus on light and warmth to encourage vigorous root and leaf development. Once frost risk decreases, transplant plants into well-prepared beds with rich, well-draining soil. Adequate watering during flowering and fruiting stages helps maximise your harvest, giving you sweet, luscious berries by the warm months. Strawberries delight as fresh, raw snacks, desserts, or jams, showcasing bright fruit flavour embodying summer’s essence. With the right care, this perennial favourite can provide bountiful harvests across the growing season.

Tomato

Sowing tomatoes in February offers a productive head-start towards a bountiful harvest. Place seeds within trays or pots indoors, keeping their environment warm—18-21°C (65-70°F)—and well-lit, either with natural sunlight or grow lights. Nurture seedlings as they develop, moving them to larger pots before outdoor transplanting once frosts recede. Tomatoes thrive best in sheltered, sunny positions, where their diverse flavours enrich summer recipes. Expect vibrant, juicy fruits perfect for salads, sauces, or fresh off the vine. Early sowing sets you up beautifully for months of enjoying home-grown tomato delights.

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