What to plant in February — zone 7a
Zone 7a averages its last spring frost around April 15 and its first fall frost around October 25. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Start indoors
- Start onions and leeks indoorsaround Feb 4
Alliums need 10-12 weeks under lights before they go out — the earliest sowing of the year.
- Onionaround Feb 4
10 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (04-15). Match day-length to your latitude — long-day north of 37°, short-day south.
- Rosemaryaround Feb 4
10 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (04-15). In zone 6 and below, grow in a pot and overwinter indoors near a south window.
- Pepperaround Feb 18
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (04-15). Pinch first flowers on transplants so the plant invests in roots before setting fruit.
- Parsleyaround Feb 18
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (04-15). Soak seeds 24 hrs before sowing. Cut outer stems and it comes back for years in mild zones.
- Chivesaround Feb 18
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (04-15). Divide the clump every 3 years — one plant becomes six with no effort.
- Oreganoaround Feb 18
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (04-15). Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.
- Thymearound Feb 18
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (04-15). Needs sharp drainage — plant in gravelly soil or a raised bed edge. Never wet feet.
- Sagearound Feb 18
8 weeks of indoor growth before your last frost (04-15). Prune hard in spring to prevent woody stems and keep the plant productive for 5+ years.
Dormant care
- Check season-extension geararound Feb 18
Patch row cover, cold frames and hoops now so a late freeze can't catch you unprepared.
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