February Planting Guide for Zone 8: What to Plant Now
February in Zone 8 is prime time for getting your garden started. While much of the country is still frozen, you can plant cool-season crops outdoors and start warm-season seeds indoors. Here's exactly what to do this month.
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Quick Answer
In Zone 8, February is ideal for direct-sowing peas, lettuce, spinach, and radishes outdoors. Start tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant seeds indoors. Your last frost is around March 15-30, so you have 4-6 weeks to prepare warm-season transplants.
Zone 8 February Overview
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Last frost date | March 15-30 |
| Soil temperature | 40-50°F |
| Day length | 10-11 hours |
| Focus | Cool-season crops outdoors, warm-season starts indoors |
Zone 8 spans from coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest through the South, including parts of Texas, Georgia, and the Carolinas. February weather varies—check your local conditions.
What to Plant Outdoors in February
These crops tolerate frost and can go directly in the ground.
Direct Sow Now
| Crop | Spacing | Days to Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | 2-3" | 60-70 | Install trellis at planting |
| Lettuce | 6-12" | 45-60 | Succession plant every 2 weeks |
| Spinach | 4-6" | 40-50 | Bolts in heat, plant early |
| Radishes | 1-2" | 25-30 | Fast crop, interplant anywhere |
| Carrots | 2-3" | 70-80 | Slow to germinate, be patient |
| Beets | 3-4" | 55-65 | Eat greens while roots mature |
| Kale | 12-18" | 55-75 | Frost improves flavor |
| Swiss chard | 6-12" | 50-60 | Cut-and-come-again harvest |
| Onion sets | 4-6" | 90-120 | Plant now for summer harvest |
| Garlic | 6" | 90-150 | If not planted in fall |
Transplant Outdoors
If you have transplants ready (from nursery or started in January):
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Kohlrabi
What to Start Indoors in February
Start these warm-season crops indoors now for transplanting after last frost.
Start Indoors Now (8-10 weeks before last frost)
| Crop | Start Date | Transplant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 1-15 | Late March | Need heat mat for germination |
| Peppers | Feb 1-15 | Late March | Slow to germinate, start early |
| Eggplant | Feb 1-15 | Late March | Similar to peppers |
Start Indoors Late February (6-8 weeks before last frost)
| Crop | Start Date | Transplant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squash | Feb 15-28 | April | Don't start too early, grows fast |
| Cucumbers | Feb 15-28 | April | Sensitive to transplant shock |
| Melons | Feb 15-28 | April | Need warm soil to thrive |
February Garden Tasks
Week 1-2
- Test soil and amend if needed
- Start tomato and pepper seeds indoors
- Direct sow peas (install trellis first)
- Plant onion sets and garlic
- Order seeds if you haven't already
Week 3-4
- Direct sow lettuce, spinach, radishes
- Transplant brassicas if hardened off
- Start squash and cucumber seeds indoors
- Prepare beds for March planting
- Prune fruit trees (before buds break)
Soil Preparation
February is ideal for bed prep before the busy spring season.
Soil Temperature Check
Use a soil thermometer. Most cool-season crops germinate when soil is 40-75°F.
| Crop | Minimum Soil Temp | Optimal Soil Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Peas | 40°F | 60-70°F |
| Lettuce | 35°F | 60-65°F |
| Carrots | 45°F | 60-70°F |
| Spinach | 35°F | 50-60°F |
Warming Cold Soil
- Lay black plastic over beds 2 weeks before planting
- Use row covers after planting
- Raised beds warm faster than in-ground
Amendments to Add Now
- Compost (2-3" layer)
- Balanced fertilizer
- Lime (if pH is low)
- Sulfur (if pH is high)
Frost Protection
Zone 8 can still get hard freezes in February. Be prepared.
Protection Methods
- Row covers - Add 4-8°F of protection
- Cold frames - Extend season significantly
- Mulch - Protects roots, not foliage
- Water before freeze - Moist soil holds heat better
What Survives Frost
These crops handle temps down to 20°F:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Onions
- Peas (established plants)
What Needs Protection Below 32°F
- Lettuce
- Beets
- Carrots
- Chard
- Brassica transplants
Common February Mistakes
Starting Warm-Season Crops Too Early
Tomatoes started in January become leggy and rootbound before transplant time. February is early enough for Zone 8.
Planting in Wet Soil
February rains can waterlog soil. Wait until soil crumbles when squeezed, doesn't form a mud ball.
Forgetting Succession Planting
One lettuce planting = one harvest window. Plant small amounts every 2 weeks for continuous harvest.
Skipping Hardening Off
Indoor-started transplants need 7-10 days of gradual outdoor exposure before planting. Don't skip this step.
What's Coming in March
Get ready for March planting:
- More lettuce, spinach, radish successions
- Potatoes (St. Patrick's Day tradition)
- Brassica transplants
- Late-month: beans and corn (if soil warms)
Plan Your Zone 8 Garden
Our free AI garden planner creates a custom layout for your space:
- Zone-specific planting calendar
- Optimal spacing for your bed size
- Companion planting built in
- Shopping list with quantities