Best Cold-Hardy Crops to Start Now
February may be the heart of winter, but for gardeners, it’s the perfect time to start dreaming—and planting—for spring. While the cold weather might keep you from digging in the dirt just yet, there are plenty of cold-hardy crops that you can start indoors this month. Getting a jump on these early growers means you’ll have strong, healthy seedlings ready to transplant as soon as the ground warms up.
Starting seeds indoors isn’t just for seasoned gardeners. With the right tools and a bit of patience, anyone can do it! Let’s dig into the best cold-hardy crops to start indoors in February and how to set yourself—and your seedlings—up for success.
Why Start Seeds Indoors in February?
Starting seeds indoors gives you a head start on the growing season, especially for crops that thrive in cool weather. Cold-hardy vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and kale take time to mature, so planting them now means they’ll be ready to harvest earlier in the spring. Plus, growing your own seedlings gives you control over the process, allowing you to choose the exact varieties you want and ensuring they’re grown organically.
By the time spring rolls around, you’ll have sturdy, thriving plants to transplant into your garden—saving you time and money compared to buying seedlings from a nursery.
Teach your kids some seed science! (Free experiment)
Best Cold-Hardy Crops to Start Indoors
1. Broccoli
Broccoli is a classic cool-weather crop that loves to grow in the early spring. Starting seeds indoors in January gives these plants plenty of time to establish before being transplanted outside. Look for varieties like “Waltham 29” or “Calabrese,” which are reliable performers in most climates.
2. Cabbage
Cabbage thrives in cool weather and does best when it’s grown in nutrient-rich soil. Choose green varieties like “Golden Acre” for crisp, tight heads or red cabbage like “Ruby Ball” for a splash of color. Cabbage can take 10–12 weeks to mature, so starting early ensures a strong spring harvest.
3. Kale
Kale is a gardener’s favorite because it’s both nutritious and incredibly cold-hardy. Varieties like “Lacinato” (also called dinosaur kale) and “Red Russian” are beautiful additions to any garden and can handle frosty mornings like a pro. Kale grows quickly, so you’ll be harvesting tender leaves in no time.
4. Celery
Celery can be a bit tricky, but starting seeds indoors early gives this slow-growing crop the time it needs. Varieties like “Tango” and “Golden Self-Blanching” are excellent for beginners. Celery prefers consistently moist soil, so be sure to monitor its progress closely.
5. Onions and Leeks
Bulb onions and their milder cousin, leeks, are perfect for starting in January. These alliums are slow to grow, so giving them a head start indoors is key. Use a seed-starting mix with good drainage, and consider planting varieties like “Yellow Sweet Spanish” for onions or “King Richard” for leeks.
6. Herbs
Cool-weather herbs like parsley and cilantro are ideal for starting indoors now. These herbs thrive in early spring and can even tolerate light frosts. Grow them on a sunny windowsill, and you’ll have fresh herbs ready to snip for soups and stews long before your garden warms up.
“Start with what you have, reuse what you can, and let new growth spring from the seeds already in your hands.”
Containers Perfect for Indoor Gardening
You don’t need fancy pots to grow kitchen scraps. Here are some easy and creative container ideas your kids will love:
Glass Jars: Mason jars, old jam jars, or even small drinking glasses are perfect for growing green onions, celery, or leeks in water.
Shallow Dishes: Use a saucer, small baking dish, or even a clean yogurt lid to grow lettuce and celery scraps.
Plastic Bottles: Cut a soda bottle in half and use the bottom half as a planter. Poke a few drainage holes in the base if you’re using soil.
Egg Cartons: Cardboard egg cartons work well for starting garlic or small herbs. Fill the compartments with soil, and plant one clove or seed per space.
Recycled Tins: Empty soup cans or tuna cans make great little planters. Just make sure to add drainage holes if you’re planting in soil.
Decorated Pots: Let the kids decorate small terracotta pots or repurposed containers with paint or stickers for a fun, personalized touch.
Create the Perfect Environment for Your Seedlings
Cold-hardy crops may thrive in cooler temperatures, but their seeds still need warmth and light to germinate and grow. Creating the right environment indoors is essential for healthy seedlings.
Provide Warmth
Most seeds germinate best at temperatures between 65–75°F. If your home runs cool in the winter, consider using a seedling heat mat to keep the soil warm.
Give Them Plenty of Light
Once your seeds sprout, they’ll need bright light to grow strong and sturdy. Place your seed trays on a sunny south-facing windowsill, or use grow lights to mimic natural sunlight. Keep the lights about 2–3 inches above the seedlings and adjust as they grow.
Rotate Your Seedlings
If you’re using a windowsill, remember to rotate your seed trays every few days to prevent seedlings from leaning toward the light.
Thin Them Out
Once your seedlings have a few true leaves, thin them to give each plant more space to grow. Keep the strongest seedling in each container and snip the others at the soil line.
Timing Is Everything
When it comes to starting seeds indoors, timing is key. Cold-hardy crops are usually transplanted outdoors 4–6 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. To calculate your planting schedule, work backward from that date:
Find your last frost date (you can use an online tool or ask your local extension office).
Subtract 8–10 weeks for crops like onions or leeks, which need extra time to grow.
Subtract 6–8 weeks for most cold-hardy crops like broccoli, cabbage, and kale.
For example, if your last frost date is mid-April, you’d start your seeds indoors in January or early February.
Ready, Set, Grow!
February may be cold and gray, but it’s the perfect time to plant the seeds—literally—for a productive spring garden. By starting cold-hardy crops like broccoli, cabbage, kale, and herbs indoors now, you’ll give yourself a head start on the growing season. With a little preparation and care, you’ll have strong, healthy seedlings ready to thrive as soon as the weather warms up.
So grab your seed packets, set up your seed trays, and let the magic of gardening begin. Spring may still be weeks away, but your garden journey starts today!