GreenlyWhat to plant in February in Florida
Worked out for 9 cities from their own weather and frost dates, by zone.
What to sow and plant in February in Florida, by zone: frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F (Miami, Tampa and 4 more): peas, beet, tomato, bell pepper, zucchini and 30 more; frost-free, highs of 61–72 °F (Jacksonville, Tallahassee and 1 more): broad bean, peas, onion, lettuce, radish and 37 more.
In Florida, February is winter.
Frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F: Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville and 2 more
In February, on average, these cities have highs of 73 to 79 °F and lows of 53 to 65 °F, 2.1 to 2.4 in of rain on 6 to 10 days; the day lasts 11 h 09 min to 11 h 17 min (on the 15th).
No frost in February in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| sow direct | Peas, beet, mustard greens, soybean | Miami, Tampa, Orlando and 2 more |
| plant sets | Onion | Miami |
| sow direct | Radish, carrot, kohlrabi, turnip | Miami |
| set out transplants or start indoors, plant out in April | Tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepper | all |
| sow direct or start indoors, plant out in March | Zucchini, watermelon, pumpkin, basil, luffa, okra, peanut | all |
| sow direct | Green Beans, sweet corn, arugula, bok choy, borage, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano | all |
| set out transplants or start indoors, plant out in March | Cucumber, melon | all |
| sow direct | Parsley, cilantro, chamomile, dill | Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville and 1 more |
| start indoors, plant out in March | Achocha | all |
| start indoors, plant out in May | Celeriac, celery | all |
| sow direct or start indoors, plant out in April | Moringa | all |
| sow direct | Napa cabbage | Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville and 2 more |
Compared with January: no longer sown — broad bean, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Swiss chard, chickpea and 1 more.
Not starting in February: lettuce (November, started indoors) and spinach (no month outdoors by these rules) — dates for Tampa.
Ready to harvest in February in Tampa, if sown in the right month: broad bean (November), peas (December), lettuce (December), radish (January), Swiss chard (December), beet (December), parsley (December) and cilantro (December).
Frost-free, highs of 61–72 °F: Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Pensacola
In February, on average, these cities have highs of 66 to 71 °F and lows of 51 to 53 °F, 2.8 to 3.9 in of rain on 8 to 11 days; the day lasts 11 h 07 min (on the 15th).
No frost in February in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| sow direct | Broad bean, lettuce, radish, cabbage, Swiss chard, chickpea, kohlrabi | Tallahassee and Pensacola |
| sow direct | Peas, beet, sweet corn, parsley, cilantro, arugula, bok choy, borage, chamomile, chayote, corn, dill, Florence fennel, kiwano, mustard greens, Napa cabbage | all |
| plant sets | Onion, shallot | Tallahassee and Pensacola |
| sow direct | Carrot, broccoli, kale, parsnip | Pensacola |
| start indoors, plant out in April | Tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepper, moringa | all |
| start indoors, plant out in March | Zucchini, cucumber, melon, watermelon, pumpkin, basil, achocha, luffa, peanut | all |
| sow direct | Green Beans | Jacksonville |
| start indoors, plant out in May | Celeriac, celery | all |
| start indoors, plant out in March | Okra | Jacksonville and Tallahassee |
Compared with January: new — green beans, borage and corn; no longer sown — spinach, cauliflower and daikon.
Not starting in February: spinach (November, started indoors) — dates for Tallahassee.
Ready to harvest in February in Tallahassee, if sown in the right month: broad bean (November), peas (December), spinach (December), lettuce (December), radish (January), carrot (December), broccoli (November) and Swiss chard (December).
How we work it out
For each city we use its average weather in February and the months after (highs, lows and rain for 2016–2025, ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo) and its average frost dates. A crop starts in February if the month's mean temperature reaches the minimum soil temperature for germination on its card (we use the mean air temperature as a stand-in for the soil's) and if, over its first months (up to three), the average highs stay within its group's range, with no frost for crops that cannot take it. Crops started indoors count from the month they are planted out.
Temperature groups from Colorado State University Extension: cool-season crops prefer 60–80 °F and lose quality in heat; hardy ones grow in days as cool as 40 °F, semi-hardy ones from 40–50 °F (we use 50 °F); warm-season crops need days above 55 °F, and the most tender (tomato, pepper, eggplant, melon, watermelon, squash) above 60 °F, up to 95 °F. Crops the guide does not name go into the stricter group by their frost hardiness. Fava (broad) beans, which the guide does not name, count as hardy: hardy varieties are sown in fall and overwinter (RHS). Garlic and bulbs: a month before the first frost, and later only while the ground is not frozen (as on each city's page).
Miami follows the UF/IFAS planting months for South Florida crop by crop (fall is the main season there); the other Florida cities follow the general rule.
This is a general rule from averages: your garden can be a week or two earlier or later, and a greenhouse or a cold frame brings the season forward. Greenly works out the dates for your location.
- Moon planting calendar for February 2027
- What to plant in February: all climates
- Gardening in the United States: guide by region
Other months in Florida
- What to plant in February in the Northeast and Midwest
- What to plant in February in the South
- What to plant in February in Texas
- What to plant in February in California
- What to plant in February in the Pacific Northwest
- What to plant in February in the Southwest
- What to plant in February in the Mountain West
- What to plant in February in Ireland
