Seeds to Start in February!

Seeds You Can Start Indoors in February for Beginners

 

Starting seeds indoors in February is a great way to get a head start on your garden. While it is still a bit too early for most things there are still plenty of options to get your garden going! Starting seeds in February ensures when spring arrives you’ll have strong, healthy plants ready to thrive outdoors. If you’re a beginner, choosing the right seeds to start indoors can set you up for success and I am here to help with your selection. Here’s a list of some of the best seeds to plant indoors in February plus some tips to help you get started. Keep in mind there are lots of other things that can be started now too but I wanted to keep the list short and simple so it wasn’t overwhelming. 

Gardening Zone

 

To help a bit on reference I am in Zone 6B and my last frost date is estimated at May 1st. This means my 12 weeks to last frost date is February 6th. I love reading posts about what to start but always feel a bit let down when I can’t figure out what zone the writer is in. All of the seeds I will be recommending pertain to many zones but they are things I am personally starting now. If you are unsure of what zone you are in the most helpful place I have found is here at The Old Farmers Almanac.

 

Best Seeds to Start Indoors in February

Vegetables

1. Tomatoes – These warm-season plants need a long growing season, making February an ideal time to start them indoors. They require 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside. It is a little bit early if you follow the 6-8 week mark but I like my tomato plants nice and big before I transplant outside. You’ll also notice tomatoes are great beginner vegetables!
2. Peppers (Sweet & Hot Varieties) – Like tomatoes, peppers take time to mature and benefit from an early start. They prefer warm conditions, so keep them under grow lights and start on a heat mat. Don’t be discouraged if they do seem to take an eternity, peppers are VERY slow growing!
3. Lettuce – While lettuce grows well in cool weather, starting it indoors ensures an early harvest. It can be transplanted outdoors as soon as the soil is workable. Some also grow lettuce indoors all winter, personally I haven’t tried this but it seems like a great idea. Lettuce is perfect for beginners to grow too!
4. Cabbage & Broccoli – These cool-weather crops can be transplanted outdoors early in the season. They need about 4-6 weeks indoors before being moved outside. Again, I like to get these a bit bigger and get a good jump on my season so I still start them in February. 

Herbs 

1. Basil – Although basil thrives in warm weather, starting it indoors in February ensures early growth and a head start on summer harvests. 
2. Parsley – This slow-germinating herb takes a while to sprout, so getting an early start inside is beneficial.
3. Thyme – Another slow grower, thyme is a great herb to start indoors and move outdoors later. 
4. Oregano – This Mediterranean herb loves a long growing season and does well with an early start indoors. 
5. Chives – Hardy and easy to grow, chives are an excellent choice for beginners looking to start an herb garden indoors. 

Flowers

1. Marigolds – These hardy flowers deter pests and brighten up any garden. Starting them indoors ensures early blooms. You can also direct sow these but starting indoors gets some blooms quicker once outside
2. Snapdragons – These cool-season flowers can be transplanted outdoors early and bloom beautifully in the spring. They are very slow growing so starting inside gives them a bit of a head start. They can also be fall or winter sown which just means you can throw the seeds outside once it’s cold in the fall or winter. They often reseed themselves too!
3. Echinacea (Coneflowers) – These perennials take a while to establish but produce stunning blooms year after year. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get any blooms the first year or very few, they will be better the following year.  
4. Lavender – A fragrant favorite, lavender is slow to germinate but worth the effort for its beautiful flowers and soothing scent. Lavender is well worth the wait to get established plants that provide blooms for years to come. I find they are one of the slowest growers when started from seed. 

Tips for Starting Seeds Indoors 

• Use Quality Seed-Starting Mix – Regular potting soil is too heavy for delicate seedlings. A light, well-draining mix works best. 

• Provide Plenty of Light – Place seedlings under grow lights to ensure they get enough light for strong growth and don’t get too leggy. Remember to keep the lights close to the seed trays, this will help from preventing them getting too leggy. 

• Maintain Proper Temperature & Humidity – Most seeds germinate best at temperatures between 65-75°F. Using a humidity dome or plastic wrap can help retain moisture before the seeds sprout. Using a heat mat to increase germination speed is also helpful. 

• Water Gently – Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Overwatering can lead to mold and root rot (I am definitely known to do this mistake). It is best to water from the bottom or use a spray bottle for top watering. It is also helpful to sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top of the soil which will help prevent mold growth.   

• Harden Off Before Transplanting – About a week before moving plants outdoors, gradually expose them to outdoor conditions to help them adjust. Make sure to bring them back inside if it gets too cold. This is a gradual process of acclimation. 

My Final Thoughts 

Starting seeds indoors in February is an exciting way to get ready for the gardening season! Whether you’re growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers, (hopefully all of them!) an early start can lead to a more productive and beautiful garden. With the right care and attention, your seedlings will be strong and ready for transplanting when the time comes. Plus it helps to beat the winter blues by seeing your hard work start popping up inside!

Remember, don’t be afraid to try whatever you want to start inside so can learn what works and what doesn’t. You will kill plants as you learn and that is ok! I highly recommend starting a spreadsheet or a garden journal so you can adjust things from year to year. If you are like me you won’t fully remember what you did last year when the time comes to start planting again.