February might not be the first month you associate with gardening, after all, the ground is still frozen in many parts of the world, and the days are short. However February is actually a fantastic time to start planning, preparing, and even planting for your upcoming garden. Here’s why February is a great time to start a garden—and how to make the most of it.
1. Time to Plan and Dream
One of the most rewarding aspects of gardening is dreaming up your garden’s potential. In February, while the weather still keeps us indoors, take advantage of the time to plan your garden for the season ahead. This is when you can:
- Research New Varieties: Dive into gardening catalogs and online plant databases to explore new varieties of plants you might want to grow. Whether it’s a new tomato you’ve never tried or you’re finally going to get some herbs in an elevated bed right outside the kitchen window, February gives you a chance to refine your wishlist.
- Design Your Garden Layout: Now is the time to sketch out how you want your garden to look. Consider the sun patterns in your yard, the space available, and which plants complement each other best. If designing isn’t your strength and you’re feeling stuck knowing how to change your yard, reach out to a landscape designer for some help.
- Assess Your Current Garden Tools: Check if your tools need sharpening, cleaning, or replacing. This way, you’ll be ready to dig in once the weather cooperates.
2. Starting Seeds Indoors
In many growing zones, the soil is still too cold to plant directly outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get started. February is an excellent time to begin growing seeds indoors. Starting seeds indoors gives plants a head start and can lead to stronger, healthier plants when it’s time to transplant them outside.
- Vegetables and Herbs: Your kitchen garden can start from seed from the safety of an indoor window. Herbs, leafy greens, tomatoes, onions and many others can be started now and may take 6-8 weeks to be ready to transplant.
- Flowers: For those who love color, it’s the perfect time to start flowers like pansies, petunias, and marigolds. If you’re aiming for an early bloom, starting flowers indoors in February gives them enough time to mature before the last frost.
To make the most of your indoor growing, use seed trays or pots with good drainage, keep your seeds warm (many thrive between 65-75°F), and provide them with sufficient light—either through natural sunlight or grow lights.
3. Preparing Your Garden Space
Even if the ground is still too frozen to dig, there are plenty of ways to prep your garden in February, setting you up for success once spring arrives.
- Clean Up Your Garden Beds: Remove any leftover plant debris from last season to prevent pests and diseases. Make sure to compost organic matter or add it to your compost bin for future use.
- Amend the Soil: Testing your soil’s pH and nutrient levels can help you determine which amendments are necessary. In February, you can order soil tests or begin planning how to enrich your soil with compost, organic fertilizers, or mulch. For more on soil.
- Build Raised Beds: If you’ve been thinking about adding raised garden beds, now is the perfect time to order our raised bed kits. They are easy to install and come in hundreds of size configurations. For custom shape inquiries email sales@backyardboxes.com Raised beds warm up faster than ground soil, allowing you to plant earlier in the season.
- Build or Maintain Garden Structures: If you want to add structures like trellises, fences, or garden arches for climbing plants like peas or cucumbers, February is a great month to build them before the rush of spring planting.
4. Getting a Jump on Pests and Weeds
While it’s true that pests and weeds are not as active during the colder months, February is a great time to lay the groundwork for keeping them under control in the growing season.
- Order AgFabric: If you’ve had issues with certain pests in the past, now is a good time to get some agfabric for the easiest and most organic way of protecting your plants. Simply cover your plants right after you plant them to keep the bugs out but the water, sun and air in.
- Prepare for Weed Control: Preemptively plan for weed control by laying down landscaping fabric, or by adding a fresh layer of mulch to suppress weed growth. You can even start collecting the materials you’ll need for mulch, such as leaves, straw, or grass clippings.
Conclusion
While it may seem too early February is a great time to start a garden, in reality, it’s one of the best months to get a head start. With time to plan, space to prepare, and the opportunity to grow seedlings indoors, February can be a highly productive month for gardeners. Whether you’re growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers, taking these early steps will ensure you’re ready for the full glory of the gardening season when spring finally arrives. So, grab your seed catalogs, gather your tools, and get planting—your garden will thank you come summer!