What to Plant in February (UK)

February is the gardener's itch — the days are lengthening, the first snowdrops are out, but it's still genuinely cold. The trick is to get a few warmth-loving crops going indoors without rushing everything else into a frosty grave. Here's exactly what to do this month.

Sow indoors

These need warmth (a heated propagator or a bright windowsill above a radiator) — outdoor soil is far too cold:

• Chillies — they're slow, so February is the time to start
• Peppers — same long season as chillies
• Aubergines — another slow grower that needs a head start
• Early tomatoes — only late in the month, and only if you have a greenhouse or warm windowsill to grow them on
• Early lettuce — for an early crop under cover

Sow outdoors

Outdoor sowing is a gamble in February — only worth it in milder parts of the UK (the south-west, sheltered city gardens) and ideally under a cloche or fleece to warm the soil:

• Broad beans — hardy enough to risk in mild areas; cover with cloches
• Peas — an early round-seeded variety, under cover

In colder or exposed gardens, wait until next month — see what to plant in March. Check your local timing with the planting calendar.

Plant out

There's very little to plant out in February, but two jobs are worth doing on a dry, mild day:

• Garlic — if you missed the autumn window, get cloves in now
• Bare-root fruit — the last chance to plant bare-root raspberries, gooseberries and fruit trees while they're dormant, before the soil warms

Chit your potatoes

Not sowing, but a key February job: stand your seed potatoes in a cool, light, frost-free spot to sprout before planting next month. This is called chitting, and it gives earlies a useful head start. Egg boxes on a windowsill are perfect.

Harvest now

The hungry gap is close, but the garden still has plenty if you planted for winter:

• Purple sprouting broccoli — at its best now
• Leeks — standing happily through the cold
• Forced rhubarb — tender pink stems from covered crowns
• Winter brassicas — kale and hardy cabbages

Jobs for February

A few quick wins while it's quiet:

• Order seeds now — popular varieties sell out, and you'll want them ready for March
• Warm the soil with cloches or black plastic where you'll sow early
• Clean pots and seed trays so they're ready for the spring rush
• Improve beds — spread compost over empty ground (the no-dig way) and let the worms work it in. See improving your soil
• Force rhubarb by covering a crown with a bucket or bin for an early, sweet crop

That's February sorted. Pick the few jobs that suit your garden, and don't fret about the rest — the year is long. For the full picture, head to our month-by-month gardening guide, and if you're just beginning, start with the easiest crops for beginners.