What to plant in February

February can be a wild month in the patch. It’s still very much summer, but every now and then you get a glimpse that autumn is just around the corner. Depending on where you live, you’re either managing hot and dry conditions or humid, stormy conditions. Sometimes all of those conditions in the space of a few days (classic Australia)! Don’t let the weather put you off though, the trick is to keep planting to set yourself up for a pumping autumn patch.

Cool Temperate

Where? Much of Tasmania, ACT/Canberra, Ballarat, inland Victoria & NSW highlands, cooler parts of SA and SW WA.

You can keep planting summer crops early in the month, but February is also prime time to start your autumn and winter seedlings so they’re ready to plant out as soon as nights cool off.

Veg to sow or plant now

• Summer fruiting veg (early Feb is best):
  Bush & climbing beans, cucumbers, zucchini, sweet corn (quick varieties), pumpkins/squash (small/fast types), cherry tomatoes
• Leafy greens (give them afternoon shade):
  Lettuce, rocket, Asian greens (pak choy, tatsoi, mizuna), silverbeet/swiss chard, kale, warrigal greens
• Roots:
  Carrots, beetroot, radish, turnips, parsnip (cool pockets), kohlrabi
• Start seedlings for the cooler months (in trays is ideal):
  Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts

Herbs & edible flowers

• Herbs: basil (while it’s warm), parsley, chives, dill, mint, oregano, thyme, sage
• Flowers: nasturtiums, calendula, marigolds, borage, zinnias

Warm Temperate

Where? Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, coastal VIC/NSW, much of SA, parts of SW WA.

February is about smart planting. Focus on crops that love heat, but start shifting into autumn planning late in the month, especially if you’re in a spot where nights cool quickly.

Veg to sow or plant now

• Heat-loving summer crops:
  Capsicum, chillies, eggplant, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, sweet corn (early month), climbing beans
• Greens that can handle a bit of heat:
  Silverbeet, Asian greens, rocket (shade), lettuce (shade + consistent water), amaranth, warrigal greens
• Roots & alliums:
  Beetroot, carrots (keep moist), radish, spring onions, leeks
• Autumn seedlings to start late month:
  Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, spinach (in cooler microclimates)

Herbs & flowers

• Herbs: basil, parsley, chives, mint, oregano; coriander for seed (or try in a cooler spot)
• Flowers: marigolds, alyssum, cosmos, zinnias, sunflowers

Arid

Where? Inland WA, SA, NT, QLD and NSW (think big heat, big evaporation).

February is still hot, but if you can protect young plants and keep water up, you can keep the patch productive. Shade cloth + mulch are your best friends.

Veg to sow or plant now

• Arid all-stars:
  Okra, sweet potato, pumpkins, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, melons, eggplant, chillies, capsicum, corn (only with reliable watering), beans
• Greens (choose tough ones):
  Silverbeet, amaranth, warrigal greens, purslane; lettuce only with shade
• Roots & bulbs:
  Beetroot, carrots, radish, spring onions

Herbs & flowers

• Herbs: rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, basil (with water)
• Flowers: sunflowers, marigolds, zinnias, borage

Subtropical

Where? Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Northern Rivers, Coffs, much of coastal QLD and northern NSW.

Warm + humid + fast growth = great crops… plus pests and fungal issues. Keep airflow up, water early, and harvest often.

Veg to sow or plant now

• Reliable subtropical crops:
  Cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, sweet corn, capsicum, chillies, eggplant, sweet potato
• Legumes:
  Bush beans, climbing beans, snake beans/cowpeas
• Leafy greens (shade helps):
  Asian greens, silverbeet, amaranth, mustard greens, lettuce (heat-tolerant types in shade)
• Roots & rhizomes:
  Beetroot, radish, carrots (mulched beds), ginger, turmeric
• Subtropical specials:
  Rosella, luffa, cape gooseberry

Herbs & flowers

• Herbs: basil (all varieties), chives, parsley; coriander for seed
• Flowers: marigolds, cosmos, zinnias, sunflowers, alyssum

Tropical

Where? Far north QLD, Darwin/Top End, Broome and tropical coastal regions.

Wet season can make planting tricky, but plenty of tropical staples thrive. Aim for raised beds, good drainage, and crops that love humidity.

What to plant now

• Wet-season winners:
  Sweet potato, okra, cowpeas/snake beans, rosella, taro, ginger, turmeric
• If you’ve got drainage + airflow (and are feeling brave):
  Eggplant, chillies, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, Asian greens under shade cloth

Herbs & flowers

• Herbs: Thai basil, lemon basil, lemongrass, mint (contained)
• Flowers: marigolds and zinnias

Quick February garden jobs

• Mulch thickly (Gotta protect that soil!)
• Water deeply, less often so roots go down, not sideways.
• Give seedlings afternoon shade for their first 1–2 weeks.
• Keep airflow up in humid areas (prune, space plants, trellis cucumbers).
• Succession sow every 2–3 weeks for beans, corn, zucchini and salad.