February: Indoor Starts & Early Cool Crops

February: Indoor Starts & Early Cool Crops

Introduction

February is the bridge between winter and spring — longer days, slightly warmer temperatures, and the first signs that gardening season is near. It’s the perfect month to start seeds indoors, refresh your LifeSpace Garden beds, and get your GardenWells ready for the busy season ahead.

With LifeSpace Gardens powered by GardenWells sub-irrigation, you’ll set up a strong foundation for early growth, helping seedlings establish and thrive even before outdoor conditions are ideal.

Reservoir Rhythm for February

Even with cooler temperatures, you may notice some uptick in plant water use as daylight hours increase. Refill your GardenWells reservoirs roughly every 20–25 days. Use the WaterStem to check your levels — when the Hummingbird pops up, your beds are topped and ready.

Pro Tip: Unless your gardens are indoors or undercover, there's not a lot (if any) watering required in Feb, as rain will keep your reservoir full.

Reservoir vs. Top-Watering Comparison for February

Watering Method Average Refill Frequency Water Efficiency Plant Stress Risk Maintenance Level
GardenWells Wicking Bed Every 20–25 days ★★★★★ (90%+ retained) Very low — steady hydration supports root prep Minimal
Traditional Top Watering Every 7–10 days ★★☆☆☆ (55% retained) Moderate — surface soils still dry quickly High
Hand-Watering Containers Every 3–5 days ★☆☆☆☆ (35% retained) High — shallow soils lose moisture rapidly Intensive

Key Gardening Tasks for February

1. Start Seeds Indoors

  • Begin sowing tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and herbs under grow lights.

  • Start cool-weather crops like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower to transplant next month.

2. Prep Garden Beds

  • Add compost or slow-release organic fertilizer to your SIPs to restore nutrients.

  • Check WaterStems and ensure your Hummingbird indicators move freely.

3. Plan Your Crop Layout

  • Use square-foot gardening techniques to maximize space in your LifeSpace Gardens.

  • Group companion plants like basil + tomatoes and carrots + onions for healthier growth.

4. Get Ahead on Pest Prevention

  • Start interplanting plans with nasturtiums and herbs to deter aphids, flea beetles, and other early pests.

🌟 Veggie of the Month: Broccoli

Broccoli loves a head start, making February ideal for indoor sowing before spring planting.

Quick Broccoli Tips:

  • Start Indoors: Sow seeds in trays, keeping them under bright light.

  • Transplant: Move outside in March/April when hardened off.

  • Bonus Tip: Pair broccoli with dill and onions to repel cabbage worms.

📘 Read the Full Broccoli Growing Guide →

What to Plant, Start, Transplant & Harvest in February

Action Veggies & Herbs
Direct-Seed Outdoors (only in mild climates) Spinach, Garlic, Arugula, Radishes, Mache
Start Indoors Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, Dill
Transplant Now (greenhouse setups only) Spinach, Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Kale
Harvest This Month (overwintered crops) Spinach, Mache, Kale, Parsley

Out-of-the-Box: Start Your Garden Today

Just unboxed your LifeSpace Garden? February is the perfect time to get started indoors:

  • Sow tomatoes, peppers, and herbs under grow lights.

  • Prep your SIP beds with compost for spring readiness.

  • Keep your GardenWells partially topped and check the Hummingbird indicator weekly.

💡 Product Tips

February is about setting up for spring success:

Back to A Year in Your LifeSpace Garden