Spring is fast approaching! If you live in the mild winter areas of zones 7b, 8, and 9a, these February recommendations are for you! These zones typically experience some days with freezing temperatures, but are warm enough to grow cool-season crops.

Outdoors

Plant Seeds (weather permitting): Spinach, corn salad, arugula, lettuce, Asian greens, mustard, kale, collard, Swiss chard, radish, turnip, kohlrabi, bunching onion, cilantro, dill, parsley, peas, parsnip, carrots, and beets.

Transplant from indoors or buy starts: Onion starts or onion sets and leeks.

Cover crops: Still time for a spring cover crop where you don't plan to plant early vegetables or flowers. Rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, Austrian field peas. Rye + vetch is a reliable mix.

Flowers for cuts: Sweet peas, calendula, poppies, bachelor’s button—best with a low tunnel in colder pockets.

Indoors

Sprouts, Microgreens, and Herbs: Microgreens and sprouts are great for gathering a harvest in a matter of days. Plus, they are incredibly nutrient-dense. Start hardy herbs and greens for plug-sized transplants to set out during mild spells.

Starts to begin now (under lights): Vegetables and herbs including cool crops like lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, celery, parsley, thyme, oregano, sage, chives, artichoke, and fennel. Peppers are warm-season crops that can also be started indoors in February. Flowers to start now include marigolds, stock, snapdragon, calendula, and zinnias.

Tip: A simple low tunnel or cold frame can add 5–10°F of protection and keep soil active for steady winter harvests.