If you’ve got the garden itch this month, you’re not alone! February in the garden may still feel like the middle of winter, but if you’re dreaming of fresh vegetables, cheerful flowers, and a thriving garden, now is the good time to start preparing for the growing season!

Even though the days are still chilly and short, there’s plenty you can do to get a head start on early spring gardening. From planning your vegetable garden to pruning fruit trees, these February garden tasks will help you set yourself up for success.

If you prefer a printed version, I’ve created a free PDF version of this checklist for you. You can grab a copy of it here.

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So grab a warm cup of tea, dust off your gardening gloves, and let’s dive into what you can do in the garden this month!

Want To Stay On Track With Monthly Garden Chores All Year?

Looking for garden tasks for every month? I’ve got you covered! You can find January garden chores here, and I’ll be adding each month’s gardening tips to my website in 2025.

To be sure you never miss a month of chores, grab your free February in the Garden printable PDF, where you’ll be added to my gardening newsletter. I send these garden tasks by month out at the beginning of each month, and I also share other seasonal advice and gardening tips to help you grow your best garden yet!

You may also enjoy my 29 Winter Garden Activities blog post, with several winter garden chores to help you beat the winter blues!

February Garden Tasks: Garden Planning and Organization

If you’re feeling the garden itch but can’t get outside just yet, this is the great time to start planning! A little prep work now will make your flower or vegetable garden more productive and stress-free when planting season finally arrives.

• Sketch out your vegetable garden layout – Grab a notebook (or use an app if that’s more your thing) and map out where everything will go this year. Think about new plants you want to try and plan for crop rotation to keep your soil healthy. If you had tomatoes in one spot last year, swap them out for beans or leafy greens this season. 
• Organize seed packets and label your seed trays – Sorting through your seeds now saves a ton of time later. Check expiration dates, make a list of what needs replacing, and get your seed trays labeled and ready for early planting. No more digging through a pile of seed packets trying to remember what you planned to start first! For seed storage and organization ideas, check out this post.
• Order seeds early – If there’s a variety you absolutely love, don’t wait! Order seeds now before popular ones sell out. This is especially important for heirloom veggies, unique flowers, and anything that tends to go fast once spring fever hits.

Spending a little time planning now means you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when early spring arrives. And let’s be honest…it feels good to be connected to the garden again, even if it’s just planning, prepping and starting seeds indoors!

February in the Garden: Preparing Trees and Shrubs for Spring

February might still feel like winter, but it’s the ideal time to give your deciduous trees and deciduous shrubs a little attention before new growth starts pushing in early spring. A little pruning and preventative care now will set them up for a strong, healthy season.

• Prune trees and shrubs – Late February is the good time to prune most deciduous trees and deciduous shrubs while they’re still dormant. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve airflow and shape. If you have fruit trees, thinning out crowded branches can boost fruit production later in the year.
• Apply dormant spray or dormant oil – This is a simple but effective way to protect fruit trees and fruiting plants from overwintering pests and fungal diseases. A well-timed application of dormant oil smothers insect eggs before they hatch, and copper fungicide helps prevent issues like peach leaf curl and apple scab. (This is the copper fungicide I use and this is the dormant oil I use)
• Use insecticidal soap if needed – If you spot signs of insect pests, now’s the time to take action. Treating early means fewer problems later when the weather warms up. (I use this insecticidal soap. I’ve also had great success using it to treat pests on my houseplants!)

Getting ahead on pruning and pest prevention now will save you a ton of headaches in the growing season ahead. A little effort this month goes a long way toward keeping your trees and shrubs healthy and productive!

For more information on pruning and caring for fruit trees in late winter, check out this article on winter fruit tree care from Gardening Know How.

February Gardening: Protecting Plants from Cold

February weather can be all over the place—one day feels like spring, the next brings a deep freeze. These temperature swings can be tough on plants, but a little protection goes a long way in keeping them healthy until early spring officially arrives.

• Use cold frame structures or row covers – If you’ve got seedlings started outside, a cold frame or row cover can help protect them from sudden drops in temperature. This is especially useful for hardy greens and sweet peas that can handle cool weather but might struggle with a surprise frost.
• Mulch around fruit trees and deciduous shrubs – A fresh layer of mulch acts like a blanket, helping to insulate the soil and protect roots from extreme temperature swings. Mulching around fruit trees and deciduous shrubs also helps retain moisture as things start to warm up.
• Check for early buds if frost is expected – Sometimes the weather warms up early, tricking flowering and fruit trees into thinking it’s spring.  Then, when the cold weather returns and frost hits, you risk losing this season’s flowers.  If you notice buds on your trees and frost is still in the forecast, wrap them with a frost blanket.  Remove the blanket when the weather warms above freezing and replace if temps dip again.

February may still be unpredictable, but these simple steps will keep your plants safe and give them a great start for the growing season ahead!

Things To Do in February: Starting Seeds and Early Planting

It’s still winter, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to start planting! February is the good time to get a head start on the growing season by starting seeds indoors and even sowing a few cold-hardy crops outside if the weather allows.

• Fill your seed trays and get ready for early planting – If you haven’t already, now’s the time to prep your seed trays with fresh seed-starting mix and start those early-season veggies indoors. Tomatoes, peppers, and herbs like rosemary love an early start under grow lights.
• Review your seed packets and order seeds – Before you start planting, double-check your seed packets for germination times and planting recommendations. Make sure you have everything you need and order seeds now if you’re missing anything—popular varieties can sell out fast!
• Direct sow cold-hardy crops – If your soil is workable, you can direct sow hardy greens like spinach, arugula, and radishes in your vegetable garden. They don’t mind the cold and will germinate as soon as conditions are right.
• Plant onion sets by the end of the month – In some regions, onion sets can go in the ground now. Getting them planted in late February means a stronger start and an earlier harvest.

Even if it still feels too early, getting your seeds started now means you’ll have strong, healthy plants ready to go when early spring arrives. Plus, it’s so exciting seeing those first little sprouts pop up!

Garden Prep for Spring: Pest and Disease Prevention

Winter might seem like a quiet time in the garden, but pests and diseases are still lurking! Late February is the ideal time to get ahead of potential problems before they have a chance to take over when the weather warms up.

• Apply copper fungicide and dormant oil spray to fruit trees – If you have fruit trees or fruiting plants, a well-timed application of copper fungicide and dormant oil can help prevent fungal diseases like peach leaf curl, fire blight, and apple scab. Dormant oil also smothers overwintering pests before they hatch, reducing insect problems later in the season.
• Use insecticidal soap to manage early outbreaks of insect pests – If you spot signs of insect pests on overwintering plants, act now before they multiply. A simple treatment with insecticidal soap can stop aphids, mites, and scale insects in their tracks.
• Clean up around plants to remove overwintered pests and disease – Before new growth appears, clear away dead leaves, fallen fruit, and any plant debris left from last season. This helps eliminate hiding spots for pests and reduces the chances of disease lingering in your garden as the weather warms up.

Getting ahead of pests and diseases now will save you a lot of frustration later. A little prevention in late winter can mean a much healthier, problem free garden when the growing season kicks into full swing!

February in the Garden: Garden Maintenance and Soil Preparation

Winter can be tough on garden tools, soil, and just about everything outside, so February is the great time to check in on what needs a little TLC before early spring arrives. A little maintenance now can save you time and headaches once the busy planting season begins!

• Check your lawn mower and garden tools – Before your grass starts growing again, make sure your lawn mower is in good shape. Sharpen the blades, change the oil if needed, and check that everything is running smoothly. While you’re at it, clean and sharpen pruning shears, shovels, and any tools you’ll be using soon.
• Improve garden soil with compost or organic matter – Healthy soil = healthy plants! If your garden soil needs a boost, now is a good time to work in compost, well-aged manure, or organic amendments. This will give the nutrients time to break down before early planting begins.
• Use a cold frame to warm up the soil – If you have a cold frame, put it to work! Covering a garden bed for a couple of weeks can help warm the soil for early planting of cool-season crops in early March.

Taking care of these tasks now means you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when planting season arrives. A little effort in late winter makes a big difference in how smoothly things go once spring is in full swing!

Winter Garden Chores: Caring for Indoor and Outdoor Plants

By late February, your plants (both indoors and out) are starting to sense the shift toward early spring, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. A little extra care now will keep everything happy and healthy as the days slowly get longer.

• Check on your indoor plants – If you’ve got houseplants, they might need a little extra attention right now. With more daylight coming in, many indoor plants start waking up from their winter dormancy and may need more frequent watering. If they’re looking a little sad, consider giving them a light feeding with a diluted organic fertilizer.
• Cut back ornamental grasses before new growth appears – If you left your ornamental grasses standing for winter interest, now is the time to trim them down before new growth starts emerging. Cutting them back now keeps them looking tidy and encourages healthy growth in spring.
• Prune damaged or dead branches on new plants – Take a look at any new plants you put in last fall. If they have any broken or dead branches from winter weather, go ahead and prune them off so they can focus their energy on healthy growth.

These small tasks don’t take long but go a long way in setting your plants up for a strong start to the growing season. Plus, it’s a nice way to sneak in some garden time while you wait for the weather to warm up!

February in the Garden: Encouraging Early Blooms

By late February, the first signs of early spring are starting to pop up. Whether you’re forcing bulbs indoors or planting cool-season flowers outside, a little effort now means more color sooner!

• Force bulbs indoors for an early splash of color – If you planned ahead and chilled bulbs like tulips, daffodils, or hyacinths, bring them out and let them bloom. Set them in a sunny window, keep the soil moist (but not soggy), and enjoy those first signs of spring!
• Plant sweet peas and other cool-season flowers in a cold frame – Sweet peas are one of the best flowers to plant in late winter for gorgeous, fragrant blooms in early spring. If the soil isn’t frozen, you can also plant hardy annuals like calendula, larkspur, and poppies outside or give them a protected start in a cold frame.
• Look for flower buds on early bloomers – Keep an eye out for the first signs of flower buds on plants like crocus, hellebores, and snowdrops. If you spot them, you’re officially on your way to spring!

Bringing a little color into the garden (or indoors) this time of year makes the wait for spring feel just a little bit shorter!

February Gardening: Supporting Wildlife in the Garden

Winter can be tough on local wildlife, but your garden can be a lifeline for birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects as they start to wake up in late winter. A few small steps now can help them thrive—and in return, they’ll help keep your garden healthy all season long!

• Clean and refill bird feeders – Birds do a great job keeping insect pests in check, so make sure your bird feeders are stocked with high-energy food like sunflower seeds or suet. While you’re at it, give the feeders a good cleaning to prevent the spread of disease.
• Plan for native plants – If you want to attract more birds, butterflies, and pollinators to your garden, now’s the time to research and plan for native plants. They provide the best food and habitat for local wildlife and require less maintenance than non-native species.
• Leave some plant debris for shelter – While it’s tempting to do a big cleanup, leaving some leaf piles or dried stems in place can provide much-needed shelter for overwintering insects and beneficial pollinators. If you must tidy everything up, set debris aside in a corner of the garden instead of bagging it up. (Note – I always clean up around perennials, to prevent the spread of pests and diseases on my plants.  But debris left in empty corners can be a haven for the good guys!)

Encouraging wildlife in your garden isn’t just good for the environment—it also helps keep pests under control and improves pollination for your fruiting plants and flowers. A little effort now can create a thriving, balanced ecosystem in your garden all year long!

February might still feel like winter, but it’s a good time to start getting your garden in shape for the season ahead. Whether you’re pruning fruit trees, prepping your vegetable garden, or getting a head start on planting, every little task you check off now makes spring gardening that much easier.

By focusing on new plants, garden soil, and early maintenance, you’ll set yourself up for a smooth transition into early spring. Plus, let’s be honest…getting outside (or at least playing in the dirt indoors) feels really good after a long winter!

Don’t forget to grab your free printable PDF checklist! You can get it HERE.

So, what’s on your February gardening to-do list? Let me know in the comments.  I’d love to hear what you’re working on!

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