What to Sow in February in Ireland

A gentle start to the growing year

February in Ireland is a month of promise rather than certainty. The soil is still cold, the weather likes to keep us guessing and yet the days are stretching that little bit longer. There is a quiet excitement in that change. This is not a month for rushing outdoors with seed trays under your arm but it is a perfect time to begin.

Think of February sowing as setting intentions for the year ahead. A slow start now leads to stronger, happier plants later.

A quick February mindset

Before we get into the list, one important thing to remember. Most sowing in February is done indoors or under cover. A bright windowsill, a greenhouse or a polytunnel makes all the difference. Outdoor sowing is still a bit too early for most crops in Ireland.

Veg you can sow in February

Tomatoes

February is ideal for sowing tomatoes if you have good light and a bit of warmth. These plants need time to grow before summer, so an early start helps.

Best sown indoors in seed trays or small pots.Keep them warm and somewhere bright and resist the urge to pot them on too quickly.

Good forGreenhouses and sheltered outdoor spots later in the year.

Chillies and peppers

If you love a bit of heat in your cooking, February is the moment.

These plants are slow to get going, so an early sowing gives them the long season they need. They like warmth more than most, so a heated propagator or warm windowsill works best.

Salad leaves

Some quick growing salad leaves can be started now under cover.

Think• Lettuce• Rocket• Mixed salad leaves

Sow little and often rather than all at once. This gives you a steady supply later and avoids gluts.

Onions from seed

If you fancy growing onions from seed rather than sets, February is a good time to start them indoors.

They take patience but reward you with excellent flavour and good storage onions later in the year.

Leeks

Leeks are a classic Irish crop and February is perfect for starting them.

They take their time, so sowing now gives strong plants ready for transplanting in spring. A tray on a windowsill is all they need to get going.

Flowers worth sowing now

February is not just about veg. A few hardy flowers can also be started under cover.

Good choices include• Sweet peas• Hardy annuals like calendula• Early summer flowers if you have space

Flowers bring pollinators later in the year and a bit of joy now when the garden still feels quiet.

What not to sow yet

It is just as important to know what to hold back on.

Avoid sowing outdoors• Beans• Courgettes• Squash• Root crops

These prefer warmer soil and will sulk if started too early. Waiting a few weeks will give much better results.

A gentle word of advice

February is about restraint. It is very tempting to sow everything, especially when the seed packets are calling. But a handful of well timed sowings now will always outperform trays of leggy seedlings started too early.

Focus on• Warmth• Light• Not overcrowding seedlings

And remember that every growing season is different. Watch the weather, trust your instincts and enjoy the process.

Looking ahead

What you sow in February is only the beginning. March and April will bring plenty more opportunities to plant, pot on and head outdoors.

For now, enjoy this quiet hopeful moment. A cup of tea, a few seed trays and the knowledge that the growing year has truly begun 🌱