Gardening in February

 

In my zone, we are less than 6 weeks away from our last expected frost date! To me, February feels like the official start of the gardening season. It is when I start tomatoes, that quintessential garden plant, and the first seeds of early herb and veggie  are able to be planted outdoors. 

February garden tasks:

Amend Your Soil: If you didn't do it in the Fall, place a 1-2 inch layer of compost or manure on all your growing spaces. Do not turn into the soil as rain and snow melt will filter the concentrated nutrients down into the soil and help to further mellow the compost.

Prepare and/or Purchase Seed Starting Equipment: Check to see if your grow lights, heat mats and temperature regulators are in good working order. Clean and sanitize old growing containers or purchase new ones. Purchase a quality seed starting mix.

Make Plant Labels: If you use plastic, metal or wooden labels, now is a good time to get them made up. For each plant, or group of plants, you plan to grow, mark a label with the plant variety and days to maturity.

Seeds to Start in February:
(Based on my last frost date. Find yours here)

Lettuce: Start 4-6 weeks before average last frost date. Harden off plants for one week then transplant outdoors after last expected frost date, 6-12 inches apart.

Tomatoes: Start 6-8 weeks before average last frost date. Harden off plants for two weeks then transplant outdoors after soil has warmed, 24-36 inches apart.

Basil: Start 6-8 weeks before average last frost date. Harden off plants for two weeks then transplant outdoors after soil has warmed, 12 inches apart.

Scallions: Start 5-6 weeks before average last frost date. Transplant outdoors once seedlings have 2 leaves, 2-3 inches apart.

Seeds to Plant in February:

Parsley: Soak seeds overnight. Direct sow seeds, 6-8 inches apart in rich, weed free soil. Parsley is slow to germinate so plant 3-4 weeks before average last frost date.

Peas: Plant seeds, 2 inches apart in rich, well drained soil, 2 weeks before average last frost date. Soil temperature should be above 40°

Radishes: Plant seeds 2 inches apart in rich, well drained soil, 4-6 weeks before average last frost date. Make plantings every two weeks, while weather is cool, for continual harvests