What to plant in February in USDA zone 10

Sow outdoors in February — zone 10

Direct-sow these seeds into prepared garden beds or large containers. Soil temperature matters more than the calendar date — wait for a sustained warm-up before sowing tender crops.

• Warm-season crops — tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers
• Eggplant, okra, squash, melons

Harvest in February — zone 10

These crops should be ready or in active harvest in February for zone 10 gardens. Pick fruiting crops every 2-3 days to keep production going.

• Citrus, leafy greens, root crops

Maintenance in February — zone 10

• Fertilize fruit trees — Pre-bloom feed for citrus and avocado.

Universal February tasks

These apply across most US and UK gardens in February, regardless of zone.

• Start onions, leeks, and slow-growing perennials under lights.
• Prune fruit trees, grapes, and dormant shrubs while still leafless.
• Test soil where you can dig — collect samples for pH and nutrient reports.
• Top up cold-frame and cloche supplies; cover early beds for soil-warming.
• Stratify seeds that need cold (echinacea, milkweed, native perennials) outdoors or in the fridge.
• Inspect stored bulbs, potatoes, and dahlia tubers for rot.

Why this works for zone 10

Zone 10 has average annual minimum temperatures of 30 to 40°F (-1 to 4°C) and a frost-free window from frost rare or never to frost rare or never — about 365 growing days. Summer can be too hot for many tomato varieties. Winter is the prime growing season for cool-loving crops.

Dates are zone-wide averages. Local microclimates (south-facing slopes, urban heat, lakeside warmth, elevation) can shift the window by 1-2 weeks within the same zone.

UK gardeners — February

In the UK, February brings broad beans, onion sets, shallots, and Jerusalem artichokes outdoors in milder regions. Sow tomatoes, peppers, and aubergines under heat indoors. Chit early potatoes in a cool, bright spot.

Source and methodology

Frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online within USDA zone 10. Hardiness boundaries from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023). Crop timing curated against US Cooperative Extension Service publications (UNL, UMN, NC State, Texas A&M, UF/IFAS, Oregon State) and cross-referenced against the RHS sowing calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.

Keep going

• ← January in zone 10
• March in zone 10 →
• All zones — what to plant in February
• USDA Zone 10 — frost dates and crop list
• Full 12-month planting calendar

Other zones — February

• What to plant in February in zone 3
• What to plant in February in zone 4
• What to plant in February in zone 5
• What to plant in February in zone 6
• What to plant in February in zone 7
• What to plant in February in zone 8
• What to plant in February in zone 9