# What Crops to Sow This February (And What to Avoid!) Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOAVcU9LyuQ Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/hOAVcU9LyuQ Generated: 2026-01-29T13:42:07.659+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Gardeners should avoid sowing tomatoes in February unless they have extensive space and artificial heat/light, instead focusing on hardy essentials like onions, celery, celeriac, peppers, and aubergines, while also considering optional early sowings of broad beans, brassicas, peas, and parsley. **Key Points:** - Do not sow tomatoes in February unless significant artificial heat and light are available because they grow quickly and risk being potted on too many times before the last average frost date in mid-May. - Onions, including spring onion varieties like 'North Holland Blood Red' which can become bulb onions, are essential February sowings requiring bottom heat initially, then placement in a poly tunnel or insulated cold frame. - Celeriac and celery require a long, gradual introduction to the growing season and necessitate bottom heat for germination, unlike some other February crops. - Chili peppers, bell peppers, and aubergines (like 'Long Purple' or 'Black Beauty') can be germinated in shallow trenches in a tray with a heat mat, then pricked out, relying on undercover conditions and grow lights rather than constant bottom heat once sprouted. - Optional early crops include broad beans like 'Witk Kam Manita' and the black-flowered 'Black Isle Broad Bean,' sown 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm) deep in module trays. - Brassicas such as cauliflower and 'Greyhound' cabbage can be started in February using HR20 trays with covers to create a warm environment for germination, yielding early summer crops. - Parsley is specifically recommended for February sowing because it is slow to germinate and benefits from warmth, unlike most other herbs which can wait until March or later. **Context:** The video provides essential guidance for gardeners on what crops to sow during February, contrasting those that require pampering with hardier options. The speaker emphasizes avoiding premature sowing of tender crops like tomatoes due to space and light requirements relative to an early to mid-May last frost date. The discussion centers on utilizing specific module trays, such as HR10 or 40L trays, and managing temperature requirements like bottom heat for early germination. ## Detailed Analysis The primary advice for February sowing is to prioritize essentials like onions, celeriac, and celery, while strongly advising against starting tomatoes unless extensive artificial heat and light are available, suggesting March is a better time for tomatoes. For onions, varieties like 'North Holland Blood Red' can be multi-sown in modules (8 to 10 seeds per module in HR10 trays) and need bottom heat to start before moving to a poly tunnel or cold frame. Celeriac and celery also demand bottom heat for their long introduction to the growing season. For heat-loving crops like chili peppers, bell peppers, and aubergines, the speaker demonstrates germinating seeds in shallow trenches in trays without modules, relying on a heat mat for initial warmth, after which they only need to be undercover with good light. Beyond the essentials, optional sowings include early broad beans ('Witk Kam Manita'), black-flowered broad beans, brassicas like cauliflower and 'Greyhound' cabbage planted two seeds per module in HR20 trays with covers, garden peas, sugar snaps, and parsley, which benefits from early warmth due to its slow germination rate. ### Tomato Sowing Warning - Do not sew tomatoes unless extensive space and artificial heat/light are available - March is a better starting time if the last frost is mid-May - Starting too early leads to plants being potted on too many times and stressed. ### Essential February Sowings - Onions - Sow spring onions like 'North Holland Blood Red' (which can become bulb onions) in module cells (8-10 seeds/cell) in HR10 or 40L trays - Seeds need bottom heat to start, then thrive in a mini greenhouse or poly tunnel. ### Essential February Sowings - Heat Lovers - Celeriac and celery need bottom heat and a long, gradual introduction to the season - Chili peppers, bell peppers, and aubergines (e.g., 'Long Purple') can be sown densely in shallow trays over a heat mat, pricked out later, and managed with undercover protection. ### Optional Early Sowings - Broad Beans & Brassicas - Sow early broad beans like 'Witk Kam Manita' 3 to 5 cm deep in module trays - Start brassicas like cauliflower and 'Greyhound' cabbage in HR20 trays with covers to create a warm environment for germination. ### Sowing Techniques & Equipment - Utilize durable module trays like HR10 from Container Wise, noting their large drainage holes promote air pruning of roots when grown on shelving - Use permanent ink pens like Luma Color Permanent for labeling - For limited space, sow seeds densely in trays and prick out later. ### Final February Recommendations - Peas (garden and sugar snap) are a great addition this month - Parsley requires early warmth to overcome slow germination, unlike most other herbs.