February 2021

With the peak of summer upon us and many of us furiously picking and finding ways to use our current harvests, the thought of planning for a winter or even an autumn garden seems quite absurd, but in all reality, February is a great month to start your first sowing of winter vegetables. An early sowing of seeds this month, along with a staggered planting over the next 6-8 weeks will ensure you have seedlings ready to start planting out in early Autumn and an abundance of vegetables to harvest throughout the winter/cooler months.

If you have summer crops coming to an end or some spare space in your patch, why not sow a quick crop of mizuna or rocket. The crops will be ready in just a few weeks, leaving your garden bed ready for winter planting. Alternatively, If your soil is lacking or needs improving, use this time to start to prepare your winter veggie patches by adding in a good dose of manure or compost. A few weeks of resting while your seedlings are growing and your patches will be in tip top shape.

Kohlrabi can be planted in all climates this month. This weird and wonderful looking vegetable is a must in all vegetable gardens which can be sown in both punnets and direct. We sow in punnets with excellent results but be sure to minimize root disturbance when transplanting. This delicious vegetable can be sliced finely and added to salads, pickled or steamed and mashed with a little butter. Kohlrabi thrives in full sun but for early plantings, especially in hot locations, a little shade will produce best results. If the pesky cabbage moth is a problem in your area, you may need to provide protection.

Continue to plant radishes in all zones, they make a great interim crop while waiting for winter seedlings to grow. Just remember to keep them well watered and harvest when young to prevent woodynees. For a continued supply, sow smaller rows every two weeks.

Silverbeet can be planted in cool and temperate zones now, Fordhook Giant is a very hardy variety that will grow well in the late summer heat and can easily handle the cooler autumn and winter temperatures. For a striking colourful addition, Rainbow chard cannot be passed. For best results

Sweet Peas are an all time favourite that make a colourful and fragrant addition to autumn and early winter gardens when summer annuals are all but done. They also make a wonderful cut flower. Now is a perfect time to sow in cool, arid and temperate climates. Sweet peas love to climb so ensure you have a good support for them as they grow. Plant into free draining well composted soil.

Tropical gardeners continue to sow basil, it thrives in warm conditions and is such an easy crop to grow and will continue to grow in abundance.

Happy Gardening.

Vegetable, herb and flower seeds to plant in February

In Cool Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Beetroot – Sow direct
• Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
• Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM)
• Cauliflower – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
• Carrot – Sow direct
• Kale – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
• Kohlrabi – Sow direct (CM)
• Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Leek – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Onion – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rhubarb – Sow direct*, in punnets* or plant out seedlings
• Rocket – Sow direct (HS)
• Silverbeet – Sow direct in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Spinach  – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Swede – Sow direct
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Zucchini – Plant out seedlings*
• Herbs – Chives,Coriander, – Sow direct
• Pollinating flowers – Sweet Alyssum,Sweet pea – Sow direct

HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.

CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Temperate Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Beans – Sow direct*
• Beetroot – Sow direct
• Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM) (HS)
• Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (CM)
• Capsicum – Plant out seedlings*
• Carrots – Sow direct
• Cauliflower – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Corn – Sow direct*
• Kohlrabi – Sow direct (CM) (HS)
• Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Leek – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Mizuna – Sow direct (HS)
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Onion – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rocket – Sow direct (HS)
• Rhubarb – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Silverbeet – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Spinach – Sow direct,  in punnets or plant out seedlings (HS)
• Swede – Sow direct
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Zucchini – Plant out seedlings*
• Herbs – Chives –  Sow direct*, Basil, Marjoram Coriander- Sow direct or in punnets*
• Pollinating flowers –  Sweet Alyssum*, Sweet pea or Calendula* sow direct or Marigolds* sow in direct or in punnets

HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.

CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Hot/Arid Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct (HS)
• Beans  – Sow direct*
• Broccoli – Sow direct or in punnets (CM) (HS)
• Cabbage – Sow direct or in punnets (CM) (HS)
• Capsicum – Plant out seedlings*
• Cauliflower – Sow direct or in punnets (CM) (HS)
• Carrots – Sow direct
• Kohlrabi – Sow direct (CM)
• Leeks – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct (HS)
• Onion – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Swede – Sow direct
• Zucchini – Plant out seedlings*
• Herbs – Chives sow direct, Basil plant out seedlings*
• Pollinating flowers  – Sweet Alyssum, Sweet pea or sow direct or plant out seedlings.  Marigolds or Zinnia or plant out seedlings*

HS – Heat sensitive, protect from afternoon sun.

CM – Protection from Cabbage moth will be required.

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Tropical Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Beans (Snake only) – Sow direct
• Capsicum – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Chilli – Sow in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Corn – Sow direct
• Eggplant – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Luffa – Sow direct
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Mizuna – Sow direct
• Okra – Sow direct
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rosella – Sow direct
• Malabar Spinach – Sow direct
• Herbs –  Basil and can be sown direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings and Thyme – plant out seedlings
• Pollinating Flowers  –  Marigolds or Zinnia sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings. Sunflower or Calendula – Sow direct

* Last chance to plant or sow