Start tender crops indoors and prepare for the busy growing season ahead. February is the month when indoor seed starting truly begins across the UK.
See the full month-by-month guide in the UK vegetable planting calendar.
Sow Indoors
Onions, leeks, broad beans, early tomatoes (heated propagator), peppers, aubergines, celery
Plant Outdoors
Garlic, shallots (mild areas), broad beans (mild south only)
Harvest Now
Kale, leeks, sprouting broccoli, forced rhubarb, parsnips
What to Sow in February
Onions and Leeks (Indoors)
If you didn’t start onions and leeks in January, February is your last realistic opportunity for a good-sized crop from seed this season. Sow onions thinly in a seed tray, leeks 3–4 per module. Keep at 10–16°C. Both need a long growing season — starting any later risks undersized bulbs and thin leeks by harvest time.
Peppers and Aubergines (Heated Propagator)
Peppers and aubergines need the longest possible UK growing season. They require a heated propagator at 20–25°C to germinate reliably, which is why February is the right start time. Without supplementary heat, germination is poor. Pot on promptly when roots appear at the base of the plug.
Early Tomatoes (Heated Propagator)
February is the earliest practical time to start tomatoes in the UK. Sow in a heated propagator at 18–22°C. Do not start earlier without supplementary lighting — tomatoes sown in December or January produce leggy, weak seedlings unless grown under LED grow lights.
Celery (Heated Propagator)
Celery is one of the most demanding crops to grow in the UK — it needs a long season, consistent moisture, and protection from frost. Sow in a propagator at 15–18°C in February. Surface sow — celery seed needs light to germinate and should not be covered.
What to Plant in February
Garlic and Shallots
In mild areas, garlic and shallots can be planted outside in February as long as the soil is not frozen or waterlogged. Plant garlic cloves 15cm apart with the tip just below the surface. Shallots are planted tip-up in well-drained soil. In cold or wet regions, wait until March.
Broad Beans (South Only)
In southern England, broad beans planted outside in February in a sheltered spot will establish quickly and provide early harvests. In the north, wait until March. Use a cloche or fleece for the first few weeks if frost is forecast.
What to Harvest in February
- Kale — still producing abundantly; pick outer leaves
- Leeks — harvest through to March
- Purple sprouting broccoli — one of the best February crops; harvest regularly to keep it producing
- Forced rhubarb — tender pink stems ready 4–6 weeks after forcing began
- Parsnips — at their sweetest now after winter frosts
Key February Tasks
- Continue chitting seed potatoes in a cool, bright, frost-free place
- Order any remaining seeds before popular varieties sell out
- Prepare beds for spring planting by forking and adding compost
- Check overwintering garlic and onions for signs of rot or pest damage
- Begin hardening off any early seedlings by moving them to a cold frame during mild days
Plan Your Whole Year
Month-by-month sowing and planting schedules for every crop — all in one printable PDF designed for UK gardeners.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Frequently Asked Questions
What can I plant outside in February in the UK?
In mild areas and the south, garlic, shallots, and broad beans can be planted outside in February. In northern England and Scotland, most outdoor planting must wait until March when the soil warms and frost risk decreases.
When should I start tomatoes from seed in the UK?
February is the earliest practical time to start tomatoes indoors, using a heated propagator at 18–22°C. Starting before February without supplementary lighting produces weak, leggy seedlings that never fully recover.
What vegetables can I harvest in February?
Kale, leeks, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, and purple sprouting broccoli can all be harvested in February. Forced rhubarb is also ready 4–6 weeks after the forcing pot was put in place.
What To Plant In February UK
In February, UK gardeners can sow broad beans, early peas, spinach, hardy salads and early carrots under cloches in mild areas. You can start tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, onions, leeks, lettuce, broad beans, peas and herbs under cover, plant out garlic, onion sets and shallots only where soil is workable and not waterlogged, and harvest leeks, kale, winter cabbage, Brussels sprouts, parsnips and protected salads.
| February task | Good UK options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | Broad beans, early peas, spinach, hardy salads and early carrots under cloches in mild areas. | Check soil moisture and local frost risk before sowing. |
| Seeds to start indoors or under cover | Tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, onions, leeks, lettuce, broad beans, peas and herbs. | Protected sowings help you control temperature, pests and watering. |
| Vegetables to plant out | Garlic, onion sets and shallots only where soil is workable and not waterlogged. | Water transplants well and protect young plants where weather or pests are likely. |
| What to harvest | Leeks, kale, winter cabbage, brussels sprouts, parsnips and protected salads. | Harvest little and often, then record what clears space for the next crop. |
Vegetables to sow outdoors in February
Sow broad beans, early peas, spinach, hardy salads and early carrots under cloches in mild areas. Use small repeat sowings where possible so the harvest is easier to manage and gaps do not sit empty.
Seeds to start indoors or under cover
Start tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, onions, leeks, lettuce, broad beans, peas and herbs under cover. This is useful when outdoor conditions are too cold, too dry, too exposed or too pest-prone for reliable germination.
Vegetables to plant out
Plant out garlic, onion sets and shallots only where soil is workable and not waterlogged. Match the planting window to your local weather and give new plants enough water while roots establish.
What to harvest in February
Harvest leeks, kale, winter cabbage, Brussels sprouts, parsnips and protected salads. Keep notes on what performed well so next year's plan is based on your own garden rather than memory.
Jobs for the vegetable garden in February
Warm soil with covers, chit potatoes, label seed trays, clean propagation kit and prepare beds for march sowing.
Common mistakes in February
Avoid starting tender crops with no heat or light, sowing outdoors into cold wet soil and forgetting to chit seed potatoes.
Printable monthly checklist
For February, write down four columns: sow outdoors, start under cover, plant out and harvest. Add one line for weather notes, one for bed space, and one for the next crop so the month turns into a practical plan.
Related UK planting guides
Use the vegetable planting calendar UK, compare what to plant in January UK and what to plant in March UK, then check when to plant potatoes UK, seed starting setup and when to plant vegetables UK.
FAQ section
What vegetables can I plant in February in the UK?
In February, UK gardeners can sow broad beans, early peas, spinach, hardy salads and early carrots under cloches in mild areas. You can start tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, onions, leeks, lettuce, broad beans, peas and herbs under cover, plant out garlic, onion sets and shallots only where soil is workable and not waterlogged, and harvest leeks, kale, winter cabbage, Brussels sprouts, parsnips and protected salads.
What seeds can I sow outdoors in February?
In February, outdoor options include broad beans, early peas, spinach, hardy salads and early carrots under cloches in mild areas. Adjust the list for your local soil, weather, frost risk and available protection.
Should I start tomatoes in February in the UK?
You can start tomatoes in February if you have warm, bright indoor conditions. Without enough light, waiting until March often produces stronger plants.
Turn This Month's Jobs Into A Plan
Month-by-month advice works best when it becomes a written sowing list, bed plan, and follow-up task list.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.