February Seed Sowing
February always feels like the turning point for gardeners, doesn’t it? The days start stretching ever so slightly, there’s a hint of spring in the air (on the good days, at least), and for me, it’s the perfect time to roll up my sleeves, grab my seed packets, and get sowing. By February gardeners in the UK are eagerly anticipate the upcoming growing season and ready to start their February seed sowing.
Starting certain seeds indoors this month provides a head start, ensuring robust plants ready to thrive once the risk of frost has passed. There’s something incredibly satisfying about knowing that these tiny seeds will transform into a summer spectacle of colour and flavour. This month, my February seed sowing includes sweet peas, aubergines, chillies (and their sweet pepper cousins), and broad beans—each bringing something special to the garden. There is no rush to get these started, but it can be done now if you want to get going! Let me take you through my February seed sowing favourites.
1. Sweet Peas
Ah, sweet peas—the nostalgic scent of summer in a single sniff. If you’re looking for a flower that smells as good as it looks, these are a must. February seed sowing means they have plenty of time to establish strong roots, and come summer, they’ll climb and twirl their way up trellises, adding charm to any garden spot.
How I Sow Sweet Peas:
- I soak the seeds overnight in tepid water. This softens their hard coats and helps them germinate more easily.
- I sow them individually in deep pots or root trainers to give their roots plenty of room. Toilet Roll tubes filled with compost also work very well as it gives them a deep, long root run.
- Mice love sweetpeas so I don’t put mine outside until they have germinated. After about 14 days they seedlings should have appeared, this is a great time to move them somewhere cool like a greenhouse or cold frame as the cold temperature makes the sweetpea put in more root growth than stem growth.
- Keep them somewhere bright such as in your greenhouse, conservartory, window sill or under a grown light so they don’t become leggy.
My Tip: Once they reach about 10 cm tall, or have four leaves I pinch out the growing tips with my finger and thumb. This makes them bushier and more floriferous (fancy word for lots of flowers). They can be pleanted outside when we have a mild spell between March and May – I have mine over a garden arch and if you have children a sweet pea teepeeis amazing! Pick as often as you can when they bloom to keep them producing flowers and prevent them from going to seed.
2. Aubergines
Aubergines are not something I have had any luck with in my own garden, so I will be paying a lot of attention in getting them to produce this year! These heat-loving plants has a long frowing season so need a bit of a head start, so February seed sowing is ideal.
How I Sow Aubergines:
- I sow the seeds in small pots with seed compost, covering them lightly with compost or vermiculite.
- They need warmth to germinate, so a heated propagator set to around 25°C does the trick. If you don’t have one, a warm, sunny windowsill works too.
- Once they’ve got a few true leaves, I transplant them into larger pots and keep them in a warm, bright spot until it’s safe to move them outdoors to my geodome greenhouse in May.
My Tip: Aubergines are tender plants that love being pampered, so give them plenty of warmth, sunlight, and a little low-nitrogen feed once they start growing.
3. Chillies and Sweet Peppers
If you’re after something to spice up your meals or add sweetness to your salads, chillies and sweet peppers are where it’s at. I love the variety you can grow—from fiery red chillies to juicy, sweet bell peppers. February seed sowing ensures they have enough time to develop and fruit before the season’s over.
How I Sow Chillies and Peppers:
- I sow the seeds in small pots, covering them with a thin layer of compost.
- Like aubergines, they need warmth, so I keep them in a heated propagator or on a sunny windowsill.
- Once the seedlings have grown their true leaves, I transplant them into individual pots and keep them warm and well-lit.
My Tip: Don’t rush them outside. Chillies and peppers are sun worshippers, so wait until the weather is reliably warm before moving them outdoors.
4. Broad Beans
Broad beans are one of the first veggies I harvest, and there’s nothing like wating produce fresh from the garden. February seed sowing gives them a head start, and they’re pretty tough, so they can handle a bit of chilly weather.
How I Sow Broad Beans:
- If the soil is workable, you sow them directly outside about 5 cm deep and 15-20 cm apart in March.
- I start them in modular trays indoors in February and plant them out once they’ve established.
- They don’t need a heated environment to germinate, which makes them perfect for early sowing.
My Tip: To avoid blackfly infestations, pinch out the tops of the plants once they start flowering. Not only does this help prevent pests, but the young shoots are delicious steamed or in salads.
5. Cosmos
Cosmos are one of those flowers that just keep giving. Their delicate, daisy-like blooms and airy foliage create the kind of effortless beauty that makes you feel like you’re in a dreamy meadow, even if you’re just in your back garden.
February seed sowing
Sowing cosmos at the end of February means I’ll get an earlier and longer-lasting display—and trust me, once you see them swaying in the breeze, you’ll be glad you gave them a head start. I love mixing them with my Dahlias for a spectacular mix of colour.
How I Sow Cosmos:
- I sow the seeds in small pots or trays filled with seed compost. The seeds are super tiny and Cosmos seeds require light to germinate, so scattering them on the surface of seed compost in a tray and transplant them once they’re large enough to handle.
- They like warmth to germinate, so I pop them in a plastic bag on a sunny windowsill or in a heated propagator.
- Once they’ve got a couple of true leaves and the risk of frost has passed, they’ll be ready to move outdoors. I usually harden them off over a week or so before planting them out.
My Tip: Cosmos thrive on a little neglect, so don’t fuss too much—they’ll reward you with blooms well into autumn if you keep deheading.
General Tips for February Seed Sowing:
- Light: Seedlings need plenty of light to prevent them from becoming leggy. If you don’t have a bright windowsill, grow lights are a great investment.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to disease.
- Label Everything: Trust me, you won’t remember what you sowed in which pot three weeks from now. Labels save you from the mystery seedling game.
February seed sowing always feels exciting after a bit of a slower allotment and gardening winter. Longer, warmer days spent outside are only a few weeks away. Come summer, my garden will be bursting with life, colour, and delicious homegrown flavours—all thanks to the February seed sowing I’m starting now. Whether you’ve been gardening for years or you’re just testing the waters, these five are definitely worth a try. I’d love to hear how you get on, so feel free to share your progress.
Happy February seed sowing!
