🌱 What Can You Grow in February Without a Greenhouse?

You don’t need a greenhouse to start growing in February. While conditions are still cold in the UK, there are several vegetables and crops that can be grown outdoors, in cold frames, on windowsills, or under simple protection like fleece and cloches.

⭐ Recommended Products — February Gardening Essentials

• Early Spring Seed Collection (February Sowing)
A pack of seeds suited for February sowing — think early onions, brassicas, tomatoes, chillies, and early flowers like pansies and primroses. Great for getting a head start on the growing season.
👉 Click here to see top options

• Seed & Cutting Propagation Compost
Fine, well-draining compost formulated for seeds and cuttings. Essential for giving young roots the ideal environment to establish strongly without rotting.
👉 Click here to see top options

• Seed Trays & Propagator Kit
Includes reusable seed trays, modules, and clear lids to create a controlled germination environment. Helps maintain humidity and protects young seedlings.
👉 Click here to see top options

• Heat Mat & Grow Lights for Seed Starting
Provides bottom heat and supplemental light — especially helpful in February’s low light and cooler temperatures to improve germination and early growth.
👉 Click here to see top options

• Plant Labels & Waterproof Marker Set
Keep track of your sowings with durable labels and a weather-proof pen — very useful when starting lots of different seeds in February.
👉 Click here to see top options

🌾 Vegetables You Can Grow Outdoors in February

Only plant outdoors if soil is workable, free-draining, and not frozen or waterlogged.

🧄 Garlic

• Plant cloves directly into the soil
• Choose a sunny, well-drained spot

Why it works:
Garlic is hardy and continues to grow slowly through cold weather.

🧅 Shallots

• Plant sets with the tip just showing
• Protect in very cold weather with fleece

Why it works:
Cold helps trigger strong root growth.

🌱 Broad Beans

• Can be sown directly outdoors in mild areas
• Best results in sheltered positions

Why it works:
One of the hardiest vegetables you can grow without protection.

🌿 Vegetables to Grow Without a Greenhouse (Indoors on a Windowsill)

A bright windowsill works well for these crops.

🧅 Onions (from seed)

• Sow in trays or modules
• Keep cool and well lit

🥬 Leeks

• Sow thinly in trays
• Grow on indoors before planting out

🥬 Lettuce

• Sow small amounts for early salads

🌱 Spinach

• Sow in modules
• Transplant outdoors later

🌾 Vegetables to Grow in a Cold Frame or Under Cover

If you have cloches, fleece, or a cold frame, you can grow more.

🫛 Peas (early varieties)

• Sow in guttering or modules
• Grow on under cover

🥬 Spring Cabbage

• Sow in modules
• Protect from hard frost

🌿 Herbs You Can Grow Without a Greenhouse

Many herbs cope well indoors or outdoors with protection.

• Parsley
• Chives
• Coriander

❄️ February Growing Tips Without a Greenhouse

• Use fleece or cloches during cold spells
• Avoid overwatering cold compost
• Grow little and often
• Harden off plants gradually before planting outside

⚠️ What to Avoid Growing in February Without Protection

These crops need warmth and should wait:

• Courgettes
• Squash
• Beans (except broad beans)
• Sweetcorn