What to Sow in February

February marks the official start of the growing season for me. I don’t sow anything in January due to lack of light and me basically using it as a slow start to the year. Once Valentine’s day hits, the light levels are much better in the UK. WIth the days now getting slowly lighter and longer, it’s a good time to start seeds. Alas, there are still some things to consider.

February might be a little lighter, but it is still cold and the light levels still aren’t long enough for certain crops. Things like peppers, chillies, aubergines and tomatoes need warmth to germinate. Once they have germinated, they are going to need strong light for a lot of the day. This is why I wouldn’t sow them unless you have grow lights and a heat mat.

Things I sow in early February:

• Chillies & peppers (with artificial heat & light)

• Aubergines (with artificial heat & light)

• Coriander (indoors with ambient heat)

• Parsley (indoors with ambient heat)

• Spinach (indoors with ambient heat)

• Kale (indoors with ambient heat)

• Early cabbage (indoors with ambient heat)

• Pak choi (indoors with ambient heat)

• Kohlrabi (indoors with ambient heat)

• Onions (indoors with ambient heat)

• Sweetpeas (with artificial heat & light)

• Basil (with artificial heat & light)

• Broccoli (indoors with ambient heat)

Everything above that I have sown indoors with ambient heat will go outside into a cold frame as soon as they have germinated. They are all cold loving crops, so will be absolutely fine with a little cover. The stuff that needs heat will stay inside until all chances of frost have passed.

When the temperatures are at a consistent 10c, you can direct sow everything apart from chillies, peppers and aubergines.

things i’ll sow in mid february:

• Peas (indoors with ambient heat)

• Salad leaves (indoors with ambient heat)