Is it safe to begin planting vegetables and annuals this early in the year? Every year, there's an eager bunch ready to jump start spring crops and flowers. "The short answer is yes," confirms Amy Enfield, Ph.D., Senior Horticulturist at ScottsMiracle-Gro. "There are many areas of the U.S. where homeowners are already gardening in February and March."
Understanding when you're in the clear starts by understanding your zones. In November, the USDA updated its Plant Hardiness Zone map for the first time in over a decade. It ranges from 1a to 13b, and the majority of the United States falls between zones 4 and 8.
For those lucky enough to live in the warmest parts of the U.S., gardening never really stops, which means you might already be gearing up to plant your annual flowers and vegetables. Who's with me?
Zone 10-11: The Southernmost Points of the U.S.
"These zones rarely see a frost or freeze, and January-February are their coolest growing months, but still well above freezing," shared Enfield. "While cool-season flowers (pansy, petunia, lobelia, and dianthus) and winter crops (lettuce, cabbage, kale, strawberries, and carrots) have likely been in the ground since November or December, it’s time to prep the beds for warm-season crops." She recommends enriching the soil before planting with organic matter like organic compost or Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil. "This not only adds nutrients but also improves soil texture and drainage," she notes.
In February:
- Cool-season flowers, like pansy, petunia, lobelia, and diathus can still be planted
- It's planting time for your vegetable garden. This includes tomato plants, peppers, eggplant, and melons.
By March, zones 10-11 are fully into the gardening season:
- Heat-tolerant flowers like zinnia and marigold can be planted in your flower garden.
- The last of the vegetables, like squash, beans, and sweet corn, are also going in the ground.
- Adding a slow-release fertilizer, such as Miracle-Gro® Shake ‘n Feed® All Purpose Plant Food, helps support consistent growth and beautiful blooms throughout the growing season.
Zone 9
"Similar to Zones 10-11, gardeners in Zone 9 can garden almost year-round. However, homeowners in this zone are a bit more likely to risk danger of frost or freeze," cautions Enfield. "The average last frost date for this zone is right around the end of February, which means warm-season veggies and flowers, like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, marigolds, and zinnias can be planted in the garden by mid-March."
But that doesn’t mean homeowners aren’t able to get their hands dirty before that date.
In February:
- Cool-season crops like cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, onions, carrots, radishes, pansies, and diathus can be planted. (They can start being planted back in January.)
- February is also a good time to start warm-season plants from seed indoors.
By March:
- Warm-season veggies and flowers as aforementioned, like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, marigolds, and zinnias.
Zone 7-8
"The last spring frost date for Zone 8 is normally between mid- to late-March, while the last frost date for Zone 7 is at the end of March," notes Enfield. "So, while there are planting activities that can be done in February and March, having things on-hand to help protect your plants from frost is important."
She adds, "Spring planting activities for both zones are similar; however, the planting dates in Zone 7 in general happen 2-3 weeks later than Zone 8."
In early- to mid-February:
- Once the soil is thawed and weather becomes consistently warmer, prepare the garden beds for planting. If you’re planting in raised beds, fill your beds with nutrient-rich soil, like Miracle-Gro® Raised Bed Soil.
- It's the perfect time to start seeds of cool-season plants (like beets, carrots, leaf lettuce, onions, radishes, turnips, and pansies) in the outdoor garden.
- At the end of the month, transplant cole crops (broccoli, spring cabbage, Brussels sprouts) in the garden.
- It's also a good time to start seeds indoors for warm-season vegetables that have a long growing time (think tomatoes, peppers, eggplants).
In March:
- Gardeners can continue planting cool-season vegetables and fruit including sweet potatoes and strawberries.
- It’s also time to start other warm-season plants indoors—summer squashes, cucumbers, melons—if you’re not planning to direct seed them in the garden.
Zones 5-6
"The last spring frost date for Zone 5-6 is anywhere between early- to late-April," confirms Enfield. "This means that few gardening activities take place outside in February; however, it’s a great time to plant seeds indoors in anticipation of the outdoor growing season."
She also recommends preparing the soil for planting as soon as the garden plot is workable. "Let your soil thaw completely and dry out before turning it–a moist soil mixture will create hard clods."
In March (late March for Zone 5):
- Start planting cool-season flowers and homegrown vegetables outdoors–remember to have cold frames on hand to protect tender plants from unexpected frost, if needed.
Zones 4 and Lower
For the zones that experience cold temperatures, the spring frost free date is anywhere from late-April through early June. Late winter really knows how to hold on, and daytime temperatures remain low! This means most outdoor gardening activities fall later in the spring.
"No matter your hardiness zone, the warming soil temperatures and gradually increasing sunlight adds anticipation for the start of the gardening season," reminds Enfield. "Planting the right plants at the right time, properly preparing the soil for planting, protecting plants from late frosts, and feeding your plants with the right plant food makes a big difference in achieving a healthy, productive garden."
Can I start seeds indoors even if it's still too cold outside?
Of course! Starting seeds to transplant gives plants a head start before the outdoor growing season begins. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants benefit from early indoor planting, especially in cooler zones (in Zone 6b, we start our seeds in early-March). I use seed trays with quality soil, heating pads, and grow lights to encourage strong growth.
What should I do if an unexpected frost is forecasted after I’ve planted?
Protect young plants with frost cloths, cloches, or even an overturned bucket. If possible, water the soil beforehand—it holds heat better and can help protect tender crops from freezing temperatures.
How can I improve my garden soil before planting?
Adding a layer of compost, well-aged manure, or an organic soil mix can enrich the soil and improve drainage. If you're working with heavy clay or sandy soil, mixing in organic matter helps create a better environment for plant roots.
