Spring is fast approaching! If you live in the mild winter areas of zones 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.