With the ground covered in snow and winter temperatures perhaps hitting some seasonal lows, February is actually the perfect time to begin some hands-on garden preparation. Key seasonal indicators, garden tasks, and seed starting suggestions are listed here with more information at the link below. 

Seasonal Indicators

  • Days noticeably longer with about ten hours and twenty minutes of light

  • Nice views of the constellation Orion at nightfall

  • Perhaps the coldest and snowiest conditions of the year

  • Look for winter bird migrants such as snow goose, tundra swan; redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, and bufflehead ducks; snow bunting, tree sparrow, and dark-eyed junco; snowy owl

  • Wildlife tracks in snow

  • Dropped deer antlers and deer browse on woody plants

Garden Tasks 

  • Get growing area and containers set up

  • Purchase or exchange any additional seeds you may want

  • If you’re into planning, draw out your garden beds so you know how many seeds to start

Seeds to Start Indoors

  • Rosemary

  • Thyme

  • Oregano

  • Savory

  • Bulb onions and shallots


Seeds to Stratify

  • Echinacea 

  • Common Milkweed

  • Apple

  • Lavender