What to sow in February
February is the tease. You get a couple of warm days, the snowdrops are out, and you start thinking about tomatoes. Don't. Stick to the hardy stuff for now — there's plenty to be getting on with, and the soil is finally starting to come alive again.
Your timing depends on where you are
The last frost date in Cornwall can be three weeks earlier than the Highlands. That changes when you can safely plant out tender crops — and when you need to start seeds indoors.
| Location | Last frost | Days behind Cornwall |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwallmildest — coastal Gulf Stream | 7 April | — |
| Londonurban heat island | 19 April | +12 |
| Bristolsouth-west, sheltered | 18 April | +11 |
| Birminghammidlands | 24 April | +17 |
| Manchesternorth-west | 30 April | +23 |
| LeedsYorkshire | 2 May | +25 |
| Edinburghcentral Scotland | 13 May | +36 |
| InvernessHighlands — latest frost | 22 May | +45 |
These are estimates based on latitude and coastal proximity. Enter your postcode on our frost map for a date specific to your plot.
Sow indoors this month
These crops want warmth to germinate. A windowsill, heated propagator, or greenhouse will do.
Pinch out the growing tips once the first pods form to discourage blackfly. They'll also ripen faster.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Supports for taller varieties.
- Aquadulce Claudia — The classic. Sow autumn or spring
- The Sutton — Dwarf — brilliant for containers and small plots
Companions: Lettuce, Spinach, Carrots
See recommended kit →Sow every 3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Pick regularly to keep them producing — leave one pod on and the whole plant slows down.
Needs: Sun. Something to climb — sticks, netting, or a trellis.
- Kelvedon Wonder — Compact and reliable. A safe bet
- Hurst Greenshaft — Heavy cropper, great flavour
Companions: Carrots, Radishes, Turnips, Sweetcorn
See recommended kit →Drop seedlings into deep holes and just water in — no need to fill the hole. They'll fatten up on their own.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Rich, well-drained soil.
- Musselburgh — Tough-as-nails Scottish classic
- King Richard — Early variety, long white stems
Companions: Carrots, Celery
See recommended kit →Different varieties for each season — spring, summer, autumn, and winter types. Red cabbage is less bothered by caterpillars.
Needs: Sun. Firm, well-manured soil. Net against pigeons and butterflies or they'll destroy it.
- Hispi — Pointed spring cab — sweet and fast
- January King — Stunning purple-tinged winter cab
Companions: Onion sets, Celery, Beetroot
See recommended kit →Fold outer leaves over the curd to keep it white. Cauliflower leaves are delicious too — don't throw them away.
Needs: Sun. Rich, firm soil. Consistent watering. The fussiest brassica.
- All Year Round — Name says it all — sow spring or summer
- Snowball — Compact heads, good for smaller gardens
Companions: Celery, Onion sets
See recommended kit →Grow through summer, harvest from autumn through winter. Flavour improves after frost. Start early — they're slow.
Needs: Sun. Very firm, fertile soil. Stake tall plants against wind or they'll topple.
- Trafalgar — Mid-season, sweet buttons
- Groninger — Heritage, open-pollinated classic
Companions: Onion sets, Beetroot
See recommended kit →Slow to germinate (3-4 weeks) — don't give up on it. Soak seeds overnight in warm water to speed things up. Flat-leaf has the stronger flavour.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Moist, rich soil. Grows brilliantly in pots.
- Giant of Italy — Flat-leaf, strong flavour, big leaves
- Moss Curled — Classic curly type for garnish and cooking
Companions: Tomatoes, Carrots, Broad beans
Sow seeds on the surface — they need light to germinate. Start early in a propagator. Cutting celery is much easier than trench celery if you're new to it.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Rich, moist soil. Thirsty plant — water and feed regularly.
- Victoria — Self-blanching, easy to grow
- Tall Utah — Crisp green stalks, old-school reliable
Companions: Leeks, Cabbage, Cauliflower
Pinch out side shoots on cordon types. Feed weekly with tomato feed once the first truss sets. Don't overwater — flavour comes from a bit of stress.
Needs: Full sun. Sheltered. Rich soil. Regular feeding once fruiting.
- Gardener's Delight — Cherry — the most reliable tomato in the UK
- Sungold — Orange cherry, absurdly sweet
Companions: Basil, Parsley, Carrots, Garlic
See recommended kit →Start early — they're slow growers. Pinch out the first flower to encourage bushier growth and more fruit overall.
Needs: Full sun. Warmth. Sheltered spot or greenhouse. They sulk in the cold.
- California Wonder — Big blocky sweet pepper, reliable
- Jimmy Nardello — Italian sweet frying pepper, incredible
Companions: Basil, Tomatoes, Carrots
See recommended kit →Need heat to germinate — use a propagator or the warmest windowsill you've got. The more sun they get, the hotter the fruit.
Needs: Full sun. Warmth. Sheltered or under cover. Perfect for a sunny patio in pots.
- Apache — Compact, prolific, perfect for pots
- Hungarian Hot Wax — Mild-medium, great for beginners
Start very early — January isn't too soon. Limit to 5-6 fruits per plant if you want decent-sized aubergines rather than marbles.
Needs: Full sun. Warmth. Best under cover in most of the UK. Not for cold, exposed plots.
- Black Beauty — The reliable standard
- Moneymaker — Good for UK conditions
Companions: Peppers, Tomatoes
See recommended kit →Sow directly outside
Hardy enough for the soil temperature right now. Sow where they are going to grow.
Pinch out the growing tips once the first pods form to discourage blackfly. They'll also ripen faster.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Supports for taller varieties.
- Aquadulce Claudia — The classic. Sow autumn or spring
- The Sutton — Dwarf — brilliant for containers and small plots
Companions: Lettuce, Spinach, Carrots
See recommended kit →Plant out this month
Seedlings started earlier that are ready to go into their final positions.
One of the easiest fruit bushes for UK allotments. Plant a bare-root bush in winter, prune to an open goblet shape, and it will produce kilos of fruit every summer for 20+ years. Pick them young for cooking, or leave to ripen fully for eating fresh.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Moist but well-drained soil. Annual mulch with compost. Prune in winter to keep an open centre.
- Invicta — Green, heavy cropper, mildew resistant. The most reliable
- Hinnonmaki Red — Red dessert variety, sweet enough to eat raw. Compact
Companions: Broad beans, Peas
Blackcurrants are packed with vitamin C and make the best jam and cordial. Plant deep — 5cm below the soil line — to encourage strong shoots from the base. Prune a third of the oldest wood out each winter. One bush produces 4-5kg of fruit.
Needs: Full sun for best crops. Rich, moisture-retentive soil. Shelter from cold winds (they flower early). Annual mulch and feed.
- Ben Sarek — Compact, heavy cropping, good disease resistance. Best for small spaces
- Big Ben — Huge berries, sweet enough to eat fresh. Vigorous grower
Companions: Garlic
Beautiful jewel-like berries that hang in trusses. They tolerate more shade than most fruit, so they are perfect for a north-facing fence. Prune to a permanent framework like a gooseberry, not like a blackcurrant.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Well-drained soil. Train as a cordon against a wall or fence to save space. Net against birds.
- Jonkheer van Tets — Early, heavy cropping, good flavour. The standard variety
- Rovada — Late season, very long trusses, excellent for jelly
Companions: Garlic
Plant a crown in winter, do not harvest the first year, and it will reward you with decades of stalks. Pull (do not cut) stalks from April to June, then leave it alone to build strength for next year. Force a clump in January for the most tender, pink stems.
Needs: Sun or partial shade. Deep, rich soil with lots of organic matter. Water in dry spells. Mulch heavily with manure each autumn.
- Timperley Early — Earliest to crop, ready from March. Thin stalks, good forced
- Victoria — The classic. Thick stalks, reliable, excellent for pies and crumbles
Companions: Broad beans
These sowing windows close by the end of February. If you want them this year, now is the time.
- Broad beansdirect sow — 11 days left
- Peassow indoors — 11 days left
- Cabbagesow indoors — 11 days left
- Cauliflowersow indoors — 11 days left
- Parsleysow indoors — 11 days left
- Tomatoessow indoors — 11 days left
- Gooseberriesplant out — 11 days left
- Blackcurrantsplant out — 11 days left
- Redcurrantsplant out — 11 days left
- Rhubarbplant out — 11 days left
What kit you will need
If you are starting seeds indoors this month, you will want a heated propagator, good seed compost, and decent modules. We have tested and reviewed the kit that actually matters.
Browse all recommended kit →Get personalised dates for your postcode
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