The key to knowing which vegetables to plant in February comes down to two things: keep a close eye on the weather and predict the worst! As we battle through the final weeks of winter, we may encounter cold snaps and mild spells, as well as frozen, soggy ground. So while it’s tempting to break outside, our advice is to start as much as possible in shelter, whether that’s a greenhouse or cold frame, a warm spreader or a sunny windowsill.

Indoor chiles, peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes are prime candidates for covered planting in a hot propagator or greenhouse with additional growing times and stable temperatures. It is not practical to wait until March. Get started now and maximize growing spaces for longer. Expensive seeds like cucumbers are best sown indoors because germination is more successful in a protected area. February is also ideal for sowing slow-germinating seeds such as parsley and celery.

It may be an unpredictable month, but there are some things you can count on. With the right light, heat and humidity, anything is possible. There are plenty of opportunities to mark your vegetable planting calendar to get started this month. So make sure you’re ready and start growing some vegetables now for next season.

Discover below 10 crops to plant and cultivate:

1. Mini-cucumbers

The ‘Bush Champion’ cucumber variety is compact and prolific, making it ideal for containers, raised beds and small spaces. Cucumber enthusiasts will want to stagger seedlings of different varieties over several stages, but for those of you who want to harvest the first fruits before Easter, now is the time to start.

The benefits of growing mini female cucumbers are now undeniable. They are ideal for anyone thinking about what to plant in a greenhouse, plus they are quick to flower, prolific, uncomplicated and allow harvests for months. They are also ideal for small spaces, so if you don’t have a greenhouse, a sunny propagator or windowsill is perfect. Anyone who knows how to grow cucumbers will tell you that they are relatively expensive seeds, so it is beneficial to increase your chances of germination with indoor seedlings that you can plant in a greenhouse border, grow bag or large pot.

2. Red spring onions

Speaking of critical period, if you are looking for vegetables that are easy to plant in February, it is advisable to make room for new onions. Grown early and often, these hot salad stalwarts build up at a steady pace.

Anyone who wants to know how to grow onions will love the fact that these natural immune boosters can be harvested even faster than standard bulb varieties.

Sow seeds generously in planting trays in late March. Be careful not to overwater and if you move plantings outside, make sure they don’t have to compete with weeds. Green onions are among the best vegetables to grow in raised beds, but they also thrive in containers with good drainage holes and should be ready to harvest in eight to ten weeks.

3. Chiles

Did you know that for the same weight, red peppers (Capsicum chinense) contain more than twice as much vitamin C as oranges? If you’ve reviewed our guide to essential vegetables to plant in January, you also know that early starts have a direct impact on whether a chilli tickles your taste buds or surprises you.

The trick to knowing how to grow chili peppers is to give them enough time to reach those atomic heat levels. Germination rate under shelter is most likely at 23-27°C and it is worth investing in a heating mat. Keep young plants in the south window of the greenhouse and ensure they receive at least six hours of sunlight per day at 18°C.

4. Wasabi

Wasabi (Japanese horseradish) has a place on our list of vegetables to plant in February even though it has a reputation for being a bit fussy. Don’t believe the hype – this spicy plant is fun to grow and can add interest to any garden pond and water bodies idea. In the wild, this sushi and stir-fry staple thrives near river beds and mountain streams, but for home cultivation, the only requirements are to be well watered and shaded.

As with most of the best shade-loving plants, make sure conditions are moist rather than waterlogged once you have planted your wasabi and make sure it is free of weeds.

Check your soil for a pH of 6 to 7 for the happiest growing conditions, otherwise store them in large containers. It takes patience as it takes two years for the first harvest of rhizomes, but it is worth it and you can enjoy the bounty of leaves while you wait.

5. Tomatoes in greenhouses

There are more varieties of tomatoes than there are days in the year, so why not plant some types under protection right now? Whether your tastes are traditional, small, visually striking or enormous, tomatoes are the best vegetables to plant in February. Even if you know how to grow tomatoes, you’ll be surprised by the possibilities. All you need is a heated greenhouse or the best mini greenhouse you can find to grow all types of beef heart, cherries and cocktail tomatoes.

Sow in moist potting soil, place in a warm location with multi-directional light and the tomatoes will germinate quickly. When they have two real sets of leaves, transplant them and move them to a cooler location. When the first cluster of flowers appears, plant in soil, large containers or grow bags, or baskets for impressive presentations. Herb lovers who know how to grow basil will find these two cultures to be perfect partners.

6. Early carrots

If you want to extract the most growth potential possible from each week, carrots (Daucus carota) are an ideal choice for planting vegetables in February. You can make successive sowings from now until all summer and success is assured if you start February sowing in the soil beds of a greenhouse or tunnel. Besides the satisfaction of having early roots at the head of the pack, there is another benefit to planting indoors. You have the joy of discovering how to grow carrots that are not at risk of carrot fly (which can only attack outdoor crops).

Deep, sandy, well-drained soil and regular watering are essential for your carrots. Place them in a well-lit location at 10°C and water at frequent intervals for young roots from April to May.

7. Lemongrass

Lemongrass is one of the best vegetables to plant in February. Thanks to its delicious edible stems, fragrant lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is an ideal choice if you are looking for plants that repel insects and an eye-catching focal point if you want to create an herb garden and now is the perfect time to start.

Propagation couldn’t be easier, starting from seed in a heated propagator or growing from root cuttings in a bright, frost-free location. Leave a few fresh stems in the water and roots should appear within a few weeks. They can then be potted to grow, possibly moved to large containers or planted in summer. Give them time to establish themselves into distinctive arches of green foliage before harvesting individual stems for cooking.

Due to its tropical origins, lemongrass thrives in a sunny, sheltered position and moist, nutrient-rich, free-draining soil. It should be kept away from frost between October and April.

8. Eggplants

Mention the word “eggplant” and you’ll probably imagine a large, shiny black fruit. But if you choose this Far Eastern favorite as one of your vegetables to plant in February, you’ll quickly realize the variety you can get from these unassuming superfoods.

Eggplants (Solanum melongena) are semi-tropical plants and therefore thrive if grown in greenhouses. Eggplants need a lot of heat, so grow them in a heated greenhouse or a very sunny location.

When your plants begin to flower, it is also advisable to give them a high-potash diet every two weeks, as well as a moist, nutrient-rich compost. Generously packed and loaded with nutrients, eggplants are among the best companion plants for peppers and also thrive alongside spinach, tomatoes, and potatoes.

9. Artichokes

Few edible plants arouse as much ornamental interest as the giant artichoke. Adds architectural weight and majesty to your ideas for low-maintenance garden walkways, as well as lawn and vegetable garden borders. With their abundant flower buds and silvery leaves, artichokes (Cynara scolymus) will definitely help you elevate your gardening game. They thrive in fertile, well-drained soils and open, sunny situations, requiring little maintenance and are drought tolerant once established.

Planting done now gives these sky-scratching perennials plenty of opportunity to develop healthy root systems and sumptuous shoots. It is best to start in protected pots, sowing one seed per pot. Keep the compost on the dry or wet side. Plant artichokes with plenty of organic matter and don’t skimp on additional mulch to maintain soil quality.

10. Tomatillos

With their fun paper hats, tomatillos are sure to brighten your table. If you’re craving something different to complement your February planting greens, tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica and P. ixocarpa) is a good option. The plant is fast growing, simple and strangely familiar like a tomato but more tart. And if you know how to grow cilantro and grow the tomatoes and chiles from this list, you’re on your way to making the best salsa verde, as well as all kinds of refreshing sauces and chutneys.

Being part of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), there aren’t many rules to follow when approaching this spicy customer. Don’t forget to grow two tomatillo plants together to facilitate pollination. Treat the seeds as you would a tomato or pepper, sowing in a propagator. Transplant into individual pots and plant in a sunny location once the risk of frost has passed.
Resist the urge to overwater because they hate wet feet!