Warm February days feel like a soft kiss from a bunny after the cold depths of December and January. Most gardeners are doing the majority of their spring planting in February in Florida. But don’t get reckless. Last year brought temps in the 40s in mid-March in Central Florida. They dropped into the 30s in North Florida. So be prepared to cover tender vegetable plants with some protection.
Here on the Gulf Coast in a tiny pocket of Zone 10a, we’ve got a late start on our spring seed sowing. Late in January, we started tomatoes and peppers, plus cucumbers and perennial flowers. Some we’ll sell at local markets or online at the Etsy shop.
South Florida
Gardeners in Zones 10-11 usually find that they can keep their starter trays outdoors through most of February. You’ll want to keep them under cover and move indoors in the case of a cold snap.
Start Indoors in February for South Florida
In February, we’re sowing the following starter plants:
- basil
- cantaloupe
- corn
- cucumbers (more)
- eggplant
- honeydew
- peppers (more)
- summer squash
- tomatoes (more)
- watermelon
- winter squash
Other edible vegetables you can start indoors in February in South Florida Zones 10-11 include:
- chives
- cilantro
- dill
- fennel
- luffa
- marjoram
- oregano
- parsley
- rosemary
- thyme
Direct Sow in February for South Florida
I like to start almost all of my vegetable garden in cells or soil blocks and plant out in a few weeks. But I do direct sow a few things that simply perform better when planted directly. So, I’ll be adding bush beans, radish, carrots, ginger, and Irish potatoes if I can get ahold of seed potatoes.
Other edible garden plants suitable for planting in February in Florida Zones 10-11 include:
- arugula
- beets
- cabbage
- cassava
- chaya
- collards
- comfrey
- corn
- daikon
- green onions
- kohlrabi
- leeks
- lettuce
- mustard
- okra
- peas
- shallots
- sweet potato slips
- Swiss chard
- turnips
Central Florida
The central strip of the state that extends from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic covers Zone 9a and 9b. Zone 9b includes the cities of Tampa, Lakeland, and Orlando. Zone 9a includes Ocala and Gainesville, as well as Jacksonville.
Even though Jacksonville is technically located in the north of the state, its proximity to the coast means a warmer climate. Keep track of the different microclimates in your garden and adjust as needed to meet those conditions.
Sow Indoors in February for Central Florida
Gardeners in Central Florida in Zones 9a to 9b can sow starter plants indoors until they’re well established enough to plant out at the end of March:
- basil
- cantaloupe
- Cape gooseberry
- chives
- cilantro
- cucumbers
- dill
- eggplant
- leeks
- luffa
- marjoram
- okra
- oregano
- parsley
- peppers, chili
- peppers, sweet
- rosemary
- summer squash
- thyme
- tomatoes
- winter squash
Direct Sow in February for Central Florida
Central Florida gardeners can sow many cold-hardy vegetables directly, if they prefer:
- arugula
- beans, bush, and pole
- beets
- broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- cabbage
- carrots
- cauliflower
- collards
- comfrey
- corn
- daikon
- green onions
- Irish potatoes
- kale
- kohlrabi
- lettuce
- mustard
- peas
- pumpkins
- radish
- spinach
- sweet potato slips
- Swiss chard
- turnips
- watermelon
North Florida
North Florida gardeners find themselves in Zone 8a and 8b. Most of the northern span of the state is solidly placed in zone 8b, which includes the city of Tallahassee and most of the panhandle.
Florida Gardeners along the Gulf Coast near Pensacola and Panama City may find that their proximity to water gives them more leeway for planting early. To pinpoint your growing zone, use the search tool on the USDA website.
Sow Indoors in February in North Florida
The last frost date for Zone 8 is April 1st, but North Florida gardeners can get a jump on spring by starting the following seeds indoors:
- cantaloupe
- chives
- cilantro
- cucumber
- dill
- eggplant
- marjoram
- oregano
- parsley
- peppers, chili, and sweet
- pumpkins
- rosemary
- summer squash
- thyme
- tomatoes
- winter squash
Sow Direct in February in North Florida
Temperatures will remain low enough for many cool-season vegetables that you can plant directly in Zone 8:
- arugula
- beans, bush, and pole
- beets
- broccoli
- cabbage
- carrots
- cauliflower
- collards
- corn
- garlic
- green onions
- Irish potatoes
- kale
- kohlrabi
- lettuce
- mustard
- onion sets
- peas
- radish
- spinach
- Swiss chard
- turnips
Getting Ready for Your Planting in February in Florida
It sometimes seems like the seasons change too quickly in Florida. And yes, we do actually have seasons. A few years of gardening here will teach you how to note the differences, and you’ll soon feel them in your bones.
It also sometimes seems like you have to plant everything all at once if you hope to get any kind of yield. The mildness of spring can quickly become the sweltering heat of summer. That’s if you don’t get a surprise frost in March!
But relax and take it one step at a time. If you start sowing your spring seeds in late January or in February, you’ll find you can pace yourself. You still have time for some cool-season vegetables early in the year, so take advantage of it.
Warm-season vegetables, like peppers and tomatoes, can be potted up as they grow until it’s safe to plant them into the garden. Be prepared to cover anything outdoors, if necessary, but otherwise, succession planting is your friend.
If you need a tool that will help you keep track of what to plant and when, as well as some helpful advice on the best vegetable varieties to plant in Florida, check out our Florida Gardening Planner. You’ll also find even more vegetable varieties for planting in February in Florida. You can purchase it in print from Amazon or as a digital download on Etsy to print out as needed.