Planting in February
Although winter may be mild in some regions of Florida, temperatures can dip into freezing levels in parts of the state. Despite the cooler weather, some gardeners can begin to plant warm-season crops, while others should stick to plants that can survive the cold. Make sure your garden thrives this month with these suggestions based on the Florida climate zones. Use the gardening region map to find your region.
North Florida
Bedding Plants: Opt for plants that can withstand colder weather such as pansy, viola, and dusty miller. Ensure that any plants added this month can survive freezing temperatures.
Bulbs: Many bulbs, such as dahlias and crinum, can be planted in February. Remember to provide adequate amounts of water and use mulch to protect them from low temperatures.
Flowering Plants: Trees and shrubs that will be in bloom include red maple, star magnolia, and spirea.
Vegetables: Potatoes can be planted this month—purchase healthy seed pieces from your local nursery and plant three inches deep. Remember not to add lime to your potato planting bed.
Central Florida
Bedding Plants: Plants such as petunia, verbena, and strawflower perform well in cool months, but don’t forget to protect your plants from frosts and freezing temperatures.
Bulbs: Try bulbs such as Amazon Lily, crinum, and agapanthus, which are three of many bulbs that can be planted this month.
Azaleas: February is a great time to select azalea varieties for your landscape because they are in full bloom this month.
Vegetables: Now is the time to start planting warm-season crops in Central Florida. Vegetables such as pepper, cucumber, and tomato can be planted in cool weather.
South Florida
Bedding Plants: Take advantage of South Florida’s mild winter with bedding plants such as impatiens, verbena, and lobelia.
Bulbs: Several types of bulbs can be planted in February, including Amazon lily, crinum, and agapanthus. Divide large, crowed clumps and ensure establishment by providing plants with adequate water.
Ground Cover: South Florida gardeners should consider replacing areas of grass with low maintenance, drought-tolerant ground covers.
Vegetables: Warm-season crops such as sweet potato, eggplant, and squash can be planted while temperatures are cool this month.
Adapted and excerpted from:
“Florida Gardening Calendar,” UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar (Accessed 01/2014).
Related Sites & Articles
- Hot Topics
- Cold Protection of Ornamental Plants
- Cold Weather Plants
- Cold Weather Protection
- UF/IFAS Publications
- Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
