8 Must‑Sow Vegetable Seeds for February if You Want a Bumper Crop of Delicious Organic Produce

If you’ve ever read an Enid Blyton book, you’ll know that the Famous Five (and everyone else) are forever declaring that food tastes better when eaten outdoors. Personally, though, we think it tastes best when you’ve grown it yourself – and February is a brilliant time to get started on your vegetable seeds.

That's right, folks: February is a feel-good month for gardeners, as it's when the seed packets come out, that last frost date starts to feel closer, and the promise of spring and summer begins to beckon in earnest.

Starting seeds now? Well, it means earlier harvests, stronger plants, and more organic produce on your table. So, whether you’re in the kind of USDA Planting Zone that demands seed trays under lights or gardening in warmer zones where some crops can actually (gasp!) be sown outdoors, February is the perfect time to kickstart your growing season.

8 Must‑Sow Vegetable Seeds for February

Unsurprisingly, the best vegetables to sow this month are those that benefit from an early start – either indoors or outside if your soil is workable and frost-free.

Of course, some take longer to mature (hello, tomatoes), so getting a head start now really pays off later. Others, like cool-season greens, are happy to be sown directly outdoors in milder climates.

Whichever camp you find yourself in, grab your seed mix, fill up those cell trays, and let’s sow these seven must-sow vegetables for February, stat.

1. Tomatoes

Tomatoes have become the poster child of home vegetable gardening – despite technically being fruits – and for good reason: they're as easy as they are delicious. You'll want to start seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before your last frost date to give them time to grow into sturdy transplants, and make sure your seedlings get plenty of light to prevent legginess.

Try something like the Burpee Garden Sown™ Little Big Boy Tomato Seeds for (surprise) big yields.

2. Peppers (Sweet & Hot)

Peppers are slow starters, so February is the right time to sow them indoors. Whether you like sweet bells or fiery chilies, starting early gives them a long season to develop strong fruiting. They thrive in warm soil and love bright light once they sprout.

If you fancy growing five different kinds of hot peppers from one packet, check out Burpee's Salsa Blend Hot Pepper Seeds. Fair warning, though: when they say hot, they mean hot.

3. Onions

Not only do they store beautifully and add fresh flavor year‑round, but onions and leeks can be sown from seed indoors in February. In fact, doing so helps them strengthen before transplanting outdoors in spring.

Both short‑day and long‑day varieties can be started now, depending on your zone. Go for something like Amazon's Organic Onion Seeds Variety Pack and you can grow a whole host of different types – from fresh greens to flavorful yellows.

4. Broccoli

One of those cut-and-come-again vegetables that well and truly earns its keep, February is a good time to start broccoli seeds indoors (so long as you aim to do so around eight weeks before the last frosts).

They like the cooler weather and can be moved outside as spring warms, giving you heads just as other crops are kicking off. Burpee's Calabrese Broccoli Seeds are widely considered one of the best varieties to go for if you want those same dark bluish-greens that Italian immigrants brought to the US all those years ago.

5. Basil, Oregano & Thyme

Herbs are the easiest seeds to start now, particularly if you want something that's perfectly suited to life on a sunny windowsill while it’s still cold outside. Basil, oregano and thyme sprout well indoors and can be transplanted after frost or kept as indoor herb plants year‑round. Go for the former, though, if you can: they’re great pollinator plants once outside.

Bag yourself a 10 Herb Seeds Variety Pack from Amazon, then, and get to work on a crop that will well and truly elevate every dish.

6. Kale

Hardy, nutrient-packed, and surprisingly easy to grow, kale is basically the superhero of leafy greens. February is a perfect time to start seeds indoors, so long as you keep seedlings evenly moist and give them plenty of light indoors.

Alternatively, you can sow directly outside in milder climates. In fact, these cold-tolerant greens actually thrive in cool weather, so early sowing gives you tender, flavorful leaves well before summer heat hits. And yes, homegrown kale really does taste better than the supermarket bunch.

Something like Burpee's Prizm Kale Seeds is a great place to start (not least of all because it's an award-winning variety).

7. Radishes

Radishes are the perfect February starter! These fast-growing, forgiving, and endlessly satisfying veggies can be sown directly outdoors as soon as the soil is workable (typically in Zones 4-10), or indoors for an even earlier crop. Just be sure to pop them in shallow rows with loose soil and consistent moisture.

Most varieties mature in just 3-4 weeks, making them ideal for impatient gardeners who want near-instant results. Honestly, nothing tastes quite like a radish pulled straight from your own garden. Try Amazon's Crimson Giant Radish Seeds for a fun twist on the classic.

8. Cauliflower

Cauliflower may get a reputation for being a bit fussy, but starting seeds in February gives it the head start it needs to shine. Indoors, sow in trays or pots 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, keeping the soil moist and warm.

Just remember that this is a veg that loves steady conditions, so take care to avoid letting seedlings dry out or get too cold. Once transplanted outdoors after the last frost, you’ll be rewarded with firm, creamy heads just in time for summer meals.

Opt for something like Burpee's Early White Cauliflower Seeds and try to get them started before early March. Happy planting!

Vegetable Seed Starting Essentials

Honestly, it might feel early, but getting these seeds started in February is the best way to ensure a thriving vegetable garden. And, when you're tucking into a glut of homegrown goodies, you'll definitely be glad you put the time and effort in...