What to plant in February in USDA zone 8

Sow indoors in February — zone 8

Start these seeds under lights or in a heated propagator so transplants are ready when the outdoor planting window opens.

• Tomatoes and peppers for March transplant

Sow outdoors in February — zone 8

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.

• Peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, beets, carrots

Transplant in February — zone 8

Move hardened-off seedlings into the garden. Tender crops want soil above 16 °C and night temperatures consistently above 10 °C; cool-season transplants tolerate light frost.

• Brassicas, onions, leeks, potatoes — Mid-February for early varieties.

Harvest in February — zone 8

These crops should be ready or in active harvest in February for zone 8 gardens. Pick fruiting crops every 2-3 days to keep production going.

• Winter greens, citrus

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 8

Zone 8 has average annual minimum temperatures of 10 to 20°F (-12 to -7°C) and a frost-free window from mid- to late March to mid-November — about 230 growing days. Summer heat can shut down tomato production July-August. Many zone 8 gardeners do spring + fall tomato crops with a midsummer break.

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 8. 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 8
• March in zone 8 →
• All zones — what to plant in February
• USDA Zone 8 — frost dates and crop list
• Full 12-month planting calendar

Other zones — February

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