February is the month the gardening year starts to move. The days lengthen, the first seed trays fill up, and the earliest hardy crops can go outside. In Zone 8, February is a bridge month: still cold enough to damage tender plants, but warm enough in milder spells to sow peas, lettuce and radishes, and to start tomatoes indoors for a strong spring.

What February means in Zone 8

USDA Zone 8 runs through the southern United States, from parts of Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina to the Pacific Northwest coast and parts of California. Winters are mild, with average winter lows of 10 to 20°F, and the growing season is long, which gives Zone 8 gardeners one of the most forgiving calendars in the country.

The dates that matter most are the frost averages. The average last spring frost in Zone 8 is Mar 1–15, and the average first autumn frost is Nov 15–Dec 1. These are USDA zone averages drawn from NOAA frost records, not exact dates for any one garden. Always check your local extension service and the forecast before planting tender crops outside. Use our frost date calculator for your zone’s averages.

February in Zone 8 is when the seed table fills up: tomatoes and peppers started now will be ready to go out after the average last frost in early March. Potatoes can go in this month, and peas sown now will crop before the summer heat arrives.

February task list

  1. Start tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and basil indoors.
  2. Sow peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots and beets outdoors in mild spells.
  3. Chit seed potatoes in a light, frost-free place.
  4. Transplant hardy seedlings, such as broccoli, cabbage and lettuce, under cover.
  5. Prune roses and fruit trees before buds break, and finish winter pruning.
  6. Top up mulch around perennials and check cold frames.
  7. Prepare beds: fork in compost, check drainage, and warm soil with cloches.

What to start indoors in February

Start these under cover now, with strong light and steady moisture.

  • Tomatoes — matures in 60–85 days; tender; soil pH 6.0–6.8.
  • Bell peppers — matures in 60–90 days; tender; soil pH 6.0–6.8.
  • Eggplant — matures in 70–85 days; tender; soil pH 6.0–6.8.
  • Basil — matures in 60–70 days; tender; soil pH 6.0–7.5.
  • Okra — matures in 50–65 days; tender; soil pH 6.0–6.8.

What to direct-sow in February

Sow these straight into prepared beds and water the seed row well.

  • Peas — matures in 60–70 days; hardy; soil pH 6.0–7.5.
  • Lettuce — matures in 45–60 days; hardy; soil pH 6.0–7.0.
  • Spinach — matures in 40–50 days; hardy; soil pH 6.0–7.5.
  • Radishes — matures in 25–40 days; hardy; soil pH 6.0–7.0.
  • Carrots — matures in 60–80 days; hardy; soil pH 6.0–6.8.
  • Beets — matures in 50–70 days; hardy; soil pH 6.0–7.0.
  • Potatoes — matures in 70–120 days; frost-tolerant; soil pH 5.0–6.0.

What to transplant in February

Harden seedlings off for a week before planting out, and water them in well.

  • Broccoli — matures in 60–85 days; frost-tolerant; soil pH 6.0–7.0.
  • Cabbage — matures in 60–90 days; frost-tolerant; soil pH 6.0–7.0.
  • Lettuce — matures in 45–60 days; hardy; soil pH 6.0–7.0.
  • Kale — matures in 50–65 days; hardy; soil pH 6.0–7.5.

What to harvest in February

Pick little and often: regular picking keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

  • Kale — hardy, matures in 50–65 days.
  • Collard greens — frost-tolerant, matures in 60–80 days.
  • Carrots — hardy, matures in 60–80 days.
  • Leeks — hardy, matures in 90–120 days.
  • Broccoli — frost-tolerant, matures in 60–85 days.
  • Cauliflower — frost-tolerant, matures in 55–80 days.

February planting at a glance

Crop What to do Days to maturity Cold tolerance Spacing
Tomatoes Start indoors 60–85 tender 24–36 in
Bell peppers Start indoors 60–90 tender 18–24 in
Eggplant Start indoors 70–85 tender 18–24 in
Basil Start indoors 60–70 tender 12–18 in
Okra Start indoors 50–65 tender 12–18 in

All figures are broad published ranges from standard horticultural references, and they vary by variety, soil and weather. Check your local extension service for advice on your own garden.

Soil, water and feeding in February

February soil is often wet and cold. Work it only when it crumbles rather than sticking to your boots, and fork compost into the top few inches instead of deep digging. Raised beds warm up faster than flat ground, which is why February sowings do better in them. Water new sowings gently and only when the surface dries.

Frost and weather protection

February frost is still a real risk in Zone 8, where the average last spring frost is Mar 1–15. A warm week can tempt you to plant out tender crops, but a single cold night can undo it, so harden seedlings off gradually and keep fleece ready. Sow hardy crops with confidence, and keep tender ones under glass until the frost averages say it is safe. Check your local extension service for your county's dates.

Pests and problems to watch

Slugs wake up early in mild February weather and love young lettuce and pea shoots. Set beer traps or go out at dusk with a torch. Watch for pigeons stripping brassicas and net them if needed. Clean seed trays and pots before sowing to stop damping off.

Frequently asked questions

Can I plant tomatoes outside in February in Zone 8?

No: tomatoes are tender and will not survive a frost. Start them indoors now and transplant after the average last frost, Mar 1–15. February is for starting them under cover, not planting them out.

What can I sow outdoors in February in Zone 8?

Hardy crops: peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, beets and broad beans. Sow in mild spells and protect with cloches or fleece if a cold night is forecast.

When should I chit potatoes in Zone 8?

Start chitting seed potatoes in February in a light, frost-free place. They will be ready to plant outdoors a few weeks before the average last frost, once shoots are short and sturdy.

Is February too early to start seeds indoors?

Not for tomatoes, peppers and eggplant: they need eight to ten weeks indoors. Sow thinly, give them strong light, and pot them on before they get leggy.

For the full year, browse the planting calendar hub. Nearby months: January in Zone 8, March in Zone 8, February in Zone 9. Use the seed-starting calculator to work out exact dates for your own garden.