Gardening Guide, What to Plant in Florida in February

The most glorious part about gardening in Florida is that there’s always something to grow no matter what time of year it is. Let’s take a look at what to plant in Florida in February for your backyard vegetable garden.

Florida has such varying growing zones, so we’re going to break this up in three parts for what to plant in Florida in February: North, Central, and South Florida.

What to Plant in Florida in February, North Florida

For those of us in the northern regions, we border temperate with tropical. We get a handful of hard freezes and frosts that will kill back our tropical plants. However, we also have that brutal summer heat coming fast to take out our winter season crops. There’s a constant balancing act, especially during these transition seasons.

Last of the Cool Weather Crops

For February, we probably have enough time to get another round of most cool-season vegetables. Carrots, lettuces, and brassicas are my favorite plants to grow during Florida’s winter growing season. Start these final winter crops in the first week of February, and be prepared to possibly provide them some shade so they’ll produce for you.

Brassicas seem to do especially well for me during this late winter, early spring garden, except brussels sprouts. They just need more time, and the heat will be here before they’re ready. Do try broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, collards, kohlrabi, and mustards.

You can also direct sow more radishes in succession for the month of February and possibly into March before the warmer weather causes them to bolt. This is also the ideal time to start snow peas during the last of our cool months.

Bunching Onions or green onions can be planted now as well. It’s probably too late to plant bulbing onions and expect to get much size out of them.

Potatoes

Potatoes can be found at most farm stores around. Plant them now in your garden beds so that you get good tubers during the dry season. My favorite varieties to grow are Red Irish and White Kenneback. This year, I’m also growing Yukon Gold and Purple Majesty potatoes just to try something new.

We have lots of tips for growing potatoes for you.

Start Indoors

If you haven’t already started them in January, start your nightshade plants indoors under grow lights. These include your peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants.

We start these seeds indoors so that we can beat the heat in the Spring garden. They’re frost tender plants. We aren’t expecting our last frost for about another six weeks, so we can’t put them out yet.

What to Plant in Florida in February, Central Florida

You are wrapping up your winter garden in Central Florida, so you can look forward to the Spring garden. You are probably finished with your coldest weather, so you’re in full planting mode.

Now is the time to transplant out your tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Plant these warm-season crops out in full sun.

Direct Sow

During the first half of February, you can probably get away with radishes, carrots, and turnips, but this is your last chance before it gets too hot.

You can also direct sow your summer vegetables by the end of the month. Use seeds to start sweet corn, beans, southern peas, okra, roselle, squash, and melons.

Other Hot Weather Vegetables

Don’t forget to get those slips in the ground for your sweet potatoes. They should be showing some quick new growth with the warmer nights this time of year, but don’t be surprised if they take a little more time.

Swiss Chard is an excellent green to have in the cooler months that will also last into the hotter season. This is a great time to start some chard.

What to Plant in Florida in February, South Florida Garden

Gardeners around the country are envious of you. You really don’t have to worry with freezing temperatures or cold damage to your crops.

There really is no question about what to plant in Florida in February. The answer is almost anything.

This is a good time to take advantage of the end of winter to start your favorite summer annuals.

Start from Seed

You can start beans, melons, corn, okra, roselle, southern peas, and squashes from seed.

Also, this is the perfect time to start chayote. If you’re unsure about where to find this seed, you can purchase the fruit from the grocery store and remove the seeds. Plant them in moistened soil and wait for them to germinate.

Once they have their true leaves, harden them off and transplant them out to your garden. Be sure to give them a trellis to climb. Once they’ve been planted, they’ll probably come back as a perennial plant for you every summer.

Tropical Transplants

You can transplant out pineapples, calabazas, sugarcane, luffa, papaya, passion fruit, and our favorite seminole pumpkins. These plants will do extremely well this time of year before the hottest part of the summer season.

The Usual Suspects

Of course you can plant out your hot peppers, tomatoes, and all the other warm-season vegetables that you usually plant. They may even grow as perennials for you instead of the annuals that North Florida grows.

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Summarizing What to Plant in Florida in February

Are you ready for it now? The busiest growing season is coming fast if it hasn’t already arrived for you. There’s something to plant for everyone. I hope we’ve given you an idea of what to plant in Florida in February this year.