What to Plant in February in North Texas

What to Plant in February in North Texas

The weather in February in North Texas is somewhat similar to January's. February shows signs of gradual warming as winter transitions into early spring. In this article, you will find what to plant in February in North Texas.

I am considering February's climate and my Grandpa's (85) experience to create these planting charts. My grandpa has lived in North Texas for a long time and I can't take my eyes off his home garden.

The USDA zone of the northmost part of North Texas is Zone 6b and the rest of the major parts are in Zone 7 and Zone 8.

You can check the full-year planting calendar for North Texas, and Zone 7 planting calendar separately if you wish.

North Texas Planting Guide eBook (Buy Now) - In that eBook you will find printable planting charts also.

Some gardeners love to grow their seeds indoors for the upcoming season and some of us love to plant/sow seeds directly outdoors. Considering this fact, I have separated my charts into two major categories.

  1. Seeds we can start indoors in February.
  2. What to plant outdoors in February.

Under the major categories, you will find subcategories like:

  1. Vegetables
  2. Flowering plants
  3. Herbs ( You will only find an outdoor planting chart here, as I will not recommend starting them indoors )
  4. Berries

Seeds to start indoors in February in North Texas

February is a transitional month, and frost is still possible. This is why I have considered the hardiness of the plant to decide what to start indoors and what to plant outdoors.

Note: You may find plants in my chart that you can start indoors and the same plants can be started outdoors in February. ( Due to their extensive growing season )

Vegetable seeds to start indoors

You will find germination time, optimal germination temp. , variety suggestions, and transplanting date range in this single chart.

If not visible on small screens, scroll the table side-wise.

Plant Name Germination Time Optimal Germination Temperature Variety Suggestions Transplanting Date Range
Tomatoes 5–10 days 70–80°F (21–27°C) Roma, Cherry, Beefsteak Mid to Late March
Peppers 7–14 days 75–85°F (24–29°C) Bell, Jalapeño, Cayenne Mid to Late March
Eggplants 7–12 days 75–85°F (24–29°C) Black Beauty, Ichiban, Fairy Tale Late March to Early April
Broccoli 5–10 days 65–75°F (18–24°C) Calabrese, Green Magic Late February to Early March
Cabbage 7–12 days 65–75°F (18–24°C) Golden Acre, Red Acre Late February to Early March
Cauliflower 7–12 days 65–75°F (18–24°C) Snowball, Graffiti Late February to Early March
Swiss Chard 7–14 days 50–75°F (10–24°C) Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant Late February to Early March
Leeks 7–14 days 65–75°F (18–24°C) American Flag, King Richard Late February to Early March
Onions 7–12 days 65–75°F (18–24°C) Texas Super Sweet, Red Creole Late February to Early March

As you can see the list is short. We have experimented with other vegetables but these are the winner.

These vegetable seeds will perform great if you start indoors in February.

In the month of June, your eggplant might be attacked by aphids. In that case, feel free to read: how to get rid of aphids on eggplants.

Flowering seeds

Plant Name Germination Time Optimal Germination Temperature Perennial or Annual Transplanting Date Range
Petunias 7–10 days 70–75°F (21–24°C) Annual Late March to Early April
Marigolds 5–7 days 70–75°F (21–24°C) Annual Late March to Early April
Zinnias 5–10 days 70–75°F (21–24°C) Annual Mid to Late March
Cosmos 7–10 days 65–75°F (18–24°C) Annual Late March to Early April
Snapdragons 10–14 days 60–70°F (15–21°C) Annual Late February to Early March
Shasta Daisies 10–14 days 65–70°F (18–21°C) Perennial Late March to Early April
Black-Eyed Susans 7–10 days 70–75°F (21–24°C) Perennial Late March to Early April
Lavender 14–21 days 65–75°F (18–24°C) Perennial Late March to Early April
Delphiniums 10–21 days 60–65°F (15–18°C) Perennial Late March to Early April
Sweet Peas 10–14 days 55–65°F (13–18°C) Annual Late February to Early March

If you are a fragrant hunter like me, you should go for Lavender and sweet peas. Lavender will win this fragrant battle for sure.

I love planting marigolds in between a few of my veggies as a companion plant. If you want to know what to plant as a companion plant you can check my article: best companion plants for vegetables - Chart

Berries you can start indoors

We can grow many berries from cuttings or transplants. But with proper care, you can grow some of the berries from seeds indoors.

Plant Name Germination Time Optimal Germination Temperature Variety Suggestions Transplanting Date Range
Strawberries 14–28 days 60–70°F (15–21°C) Albion, Seascape, Quinault Late March to Early April
Blueberries 30–60 days (requires stratification) 60–70°F (15–21°C) Brightwell, Tifblue, Powderblue Late March to Early April
Raspberries 21–28 days 65–75°F (18–24°C) Heritage, Fall Gold, Anne Late March to Early April
Blackberries 14–28 days 65–75°F (18–24°C) Apache, Natchez, Arapaho Late March to Early April
Goji Berries 7–14 days 70–85°F (21–29°C) Sweet Lifeberry, Big Lifeberry Mid to Late April
Cranberries 21–30 days 65–70°F (18–21°C) Stevens, Pilgrim, Ben Lear Late March to Early April
Currants 14–21 days 60–70°F (15–21°C) Red Lake, Blackdown, Consort Late March to Early April
Mulberries 14–28 days 70–85°F (21–29°C) Illinois Everbearing, Pakistan, Shangri-La Mid to Late April
Note: It's not that easy to grow all those plants from seeds. If you are a beginner, go for the transplanting method ( you can get it from nurseries ).

What to plant outdoors in February in North Texas

For outdoor planting, we need to keep in mind that February is still cold. All the plants I am listing in the below charts can handle February's cold.

But mother nature is unpredictable sometimes. Do not forget to check weather forecasts frequently.

This chart can help you protect your outdoor plants from cold damage -> When to cover your plants in Winter (Chart)

Vegetables

Vegetable Planting Method Variety Recommendations Harvesting Time (Days)
Carrots Direct Sow Nantes, Danvers Half Long, Scarlet Nantes 60–80 days
Beets Direct Sow Detroit Dark Red, Golden Beet, Chioggia 50–70 days
Spinach Direct Sow Bloomsdale, Space, Giant Nobel 30–45 days
Broccoli Transplant Calabrese, Waltham 29, Green Magic 50–70 days
Cabbage Transplant Golden Acre, Red Acre, Savoy 60–100 days
Onions Transplant or Sets Texas Early Grano, Candy, Red Creole 90–120 days
Radishes Direct Sow Cherry Belle, French Breakfast, White Icicle 25–30 days
Peas Direct Sow Wando, Little Marvel, Oregon Sugar Pod 60–70 days
Turnips Direct Sow Purple Top White Globe, Tokyo Cross, Hakurei 30–60 days
Swiss Chard Direct Sow Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant, Rainbow 50–60 days
Potatoes Seed Pieces Red Pontiac, Yukon Gold, Kennebec 80–100 days

Flowering Plants

Flower Perennial or Annual Planting Method Blooming Season Fragrance
Sweet Peas Annual Direct Sow Spring Yes
California Poppies Annual Direct Sow Spring to Early Summer No
Black-Eyed Susans Perennial Direct Sow Summer to Fall No
Snapdragons Annual Direct Sow Spring to Early Summer No
Larkspur Annual Direct Sow Spring No
Columbine Perennial Direct Sow Spring to Early Summer No
Coreopsis Perennial Direct Sow Spring to Summer No
Bluebonnets Annual Direct Sow Spring No
Hollyhocks Biennial/Perennial Direct Sow Summer No
Marigolds Annual Direct Sow Spring to Fall No
Stock Annual Direct Sow Spring Yes
Alyssum Annual Direct Sow Spring to Fall Yes
Dianthus Perennial Direct Sow Spring to Summer Yes
Lavender Perennial Direct Sow Summer Yes
Evening Primrose Biennial/Perennial Direct Sow Spring to Summer Yes
Four O’Clocks Annual Direct Sow Summer Yes

Note: Some Four O'clocks flowers do not contain any noticeable fragrance at all.

It's hard to find indoor flowering plants as most of the flowering plants need sunlight to bloom. We have worked hard to create a list of those rare flowers. You can find it here: Flowering plants to grow indoors in North Texas

Herbs

Herb Flavor Perennial or Annual Planting Method Variety Suggestions
Cilantro Citrusy, Peppery Annual Direct Sow Slow-Bolt, Santo
Chives Mild Onion Flavor Perennial Direct Sow Garlic Chives, Common Chives
Parsley Herbaceous, Slightly Bitter Biennial Direct Sow Curly, Flat-Leaf
Thyme Earthy, Slightly Minty Perennial Direct Sow English, Lemon
Oregano Pungent, Earthy Perennial Direct Sow Greek, Italian
Mint Cool, Refreshing Perennial Direct Sow Peppermint, Spearmint
Rosemary Piney, Earthy Perennial Direct Sow Arp, Tuscan Blue
Sage Earthy, Peppery Perennial Direct Sow Common, Purple
Lavender Floral, Herbaceous Perennial Direct Sow Munstead, Hidcote

I have heard some nursery owners suggesting basil to plant in February, but I would never suggest this. February is still cold for basil.

Berries

Berry Perennial or Annual Planting Method Variety Suggestions First Harvesting Time (Days)
Strawberry Perennial Transplant Bare Root Plants June-bearing, Ever-bearing, Day-neutral 90–120 days
Blueberry Perennial Plant Bare Root or Potted Plants Legacy, Tifblue, Sunshine Blue 2–3 years
Raspberry Perennial Transplant Bare Root Plants Red, Black, Yellow 60–80 days
Blackberry Perennial Plant Bare Root or Potted Plants Triple Crown, Marion, Apache 60–100 days
Goji Berry Perennial Transplant Bare Root or Seedlings Phoenix, Crimson Star 2–3 years
Currant Perennial Transplant Bare Root Plants Red, Black, White 1–2 years
Grape Perennial Transplant Bare Root or Potted Plants Concord, Niagara, Thompson Seedless 2–3 years
Do you want to download the printable chart? Just subscribe to this site as a premium member and I will send you the chart to you via email. A free subscription will also be appreciated.

If you find this article helpful, share it with your Texas gardening friends.

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