What to Do in the Garden in February (Cool-Climate US)

Start and sow indoors

• Order seeds now, before it's too late for this year's planting (Purdue Extension).
• Start seeds of cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage indoors about 5-7 weeks before you plan to transplant them out.
• Test old seed for viability with a simple germination test before relying on it.
• Grow seedlings under fluorescent or LED lights kept within a few inches of the plants, 12-16 hours a day (UMN Extension).

Prune and maintain

• The late dormant season (late winter to early spring) is the best time for most tree and shrub pruning (UMN Extension).
• Hold off on pruning early-spring bloomers like lilac and forsythia until after they flower.
• Delay pruning fruit plants until you can assess winter injury (Purdue Extension).
• Prepare or repair lawn and garden tools for the coming season.
• Verify winter protections, mulches, screens, and rodent guards, are still intact.

Indoors and houseplants

• Move houseplants to brighter windows, but keep them out of drafts and away from cold windowpanes.
• Water houseplants less often while winter growth is slow.
• Check stored produce and flower bulbs for rot, shriveling, or excess moisture.
• Cut branches of forsythia, pussy willow, crabapple, and quince to force into bloom indoors.

Sources

Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.

• Purdue University Extension — February garden calendar (Indiana Yard and Garden) — February tasks: order seeds, start cool-season vegetable seeds indoors 5-7 weeks before transplanting, germination-test old seed, tool prep, forcing branches, houseplant care, delay fruit pruning until winter injury can be assessed
• University of Minnesota Extension — Pruning trees and shrubs — The late dormant season (late winter to early spring) is the best time for most pruning
• University of Minnesota Extension — Starting seeds indoors — Seedling light requirements (12-16 hours daily, lights within 2-4 inches) and indoor seed-starting practice

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