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In the dead of winter, it’s hard to think about gardening. But, did you know that February is a great month to start seeds in zone 5? That’s right. Even with a fresh layer of snow on the ground, you can prepare for your summer garden harvest.
So, if you’ve been to the garden centre and picked up some fresh seeds, it’s time to dust off your gardening tools and get started! In today’s guide, we walk you through the seeds you can start in February zone 5. We cover the best vegetable, flower, and herb seeds to plant in February zone 5. You will find tips on how to get started so that you can plan for a summer full of fresh produce and beautiful blooms.
We also give you a planting schedule of seeds you can start now in February in zones 5a & 5b. This schedule is a rough guideline of when you can start seeds in February zone 5. It’s meant to help you plan out your February seed starting journey. Be sure to consult your frost dates and local growing conditions before starting any seeds.
Starting seeds in February zones 5a & 5b
Within zone 5, there are different microclimates. These are designated by the letters A or B. The information in today’s guide is broadly designed for zone 5 gardeners. You may need to adjust the planting schedule for your specific growing conditions and climate. It is usually a couple of weeks here or there if you need to make any adjustments.

Are you new to starting seeds?
If so, you may be wondering what the terms growing zone, hardiness zone, and frost dates mean. You may also be wondering about how to get started sowing seeds.
Don’t fret, we’ve put together two handy guides available over on our blog. One is dedicated to understanding growing zones, hardiness zones, and frost dates. The other walks you through the basics of seed starting.
The information in both guides will get you well on your way to starting seeds in no time!
Best seeds to start in February zone 5
As we inch closer to spring, the variety of seeds that you can start indoors is slowly increasing. Last month we saw that the choices were a little limited. But, in February, there are a few different types of crops that you can begin to sow by seed indoors in zone 5.
The air and ground temperatures are not warm enough yet to sustain warmer weather crops.
Vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are best started later on in the season. Be sure to check back later on for more seed starting guides to come!

Vegetable seeds to start in February zone 5
With the arrival of February, there are a few more vegetables that you can start now by seed. Celery is a new one to add to the list. Starting celery in February gives you the time to make sure that you have a successful summer harvest.
February is also a great month to get started growing your own onions and leeks by seed if you didn’t get started last month. Growing your own onions and leeks is so rewarding. Since they are used in so many different recipes, having your own stockpile at your fingertips makes for easy meal prep!
Cole crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can be started indoors towards the end of the month or the first two weeks of March. Since there is a lot of variation in zone 5, you may need to adjust the schedule a little bit. But, starting early will allow you to gently acclimate them earlier and get a head start on the growing season.
You can continue to sow leafy greens like kale, Swiss Chard, Asian greens, and lettuce in February zone 5a & 5b. Aim for towards the end of the month and succession sow.
This will allow you to stagger your harvests. You can choose to grow some varieties completely indoors. Or, once early spring arrives, you can transition outdoors using a cold frame, green house, or hoop tunnel.

Starting celery by seed in February zone 5
A fun and interesting crop to try growing by seed is celery. The staple of many meals, celery has a long growing season. So, starting early will give you the head start you need to have an abundant summer harvest.
Celery comes in many standard heirloom varieties. There are also some interesting hybrids. Several interesting Asian varieties of celery are available too if you are new to growing this nutritious vegetable.
In zone 5, aim to start your celery around the end of February. Celery needs roughly 130-140 days from seed to harvest.
Starting celery by seed does take some special care and attention. You want to have the celery just make contact with the soil. Gently press it down into the soil. But, be careful not to press too firmly. It should just touch the surface of the soil. Lightly mist after seeding.
Set your celery on the path to success by making sure that it has an adequate source of light and heat to germinate. Overseeding and thinning later is best. Keep your strongest seedlings when thinning. If you germinate too many seedlings, you can always share with a friend or give some away.
Celery is very hardy, so it is one of the first crops that you can plant out in the garden. You will need to gently protect it until the danger of frost has passed. Using a hoop tunnel, greenhouse, or cold frame will help to protect your crop.
Some of our favourite varieties of celery to grow by seed in February zone 5 are:
- Tall Utah
- Giant Red
- Tango
- Golden Pascal
- Conquistador
Starting onions and leeks by seed in February zone 5
If you missed starting some onions and leeks by seed last month, you still have time. Onions and leeks can be started by seed during the month of February in zone 5. Aim to start them by mid February for best results.
As onion seedlings develop indoors, it’s best to give them a haircut from time to time. Gently trimming them will help them to grow into healthy and strong seedlings.
When it comes to choosing different types of onion seeds to grow, there are several options available. You can grow shallots for cooking, storage onions, and even bunching onions to name a few. The type of onions you choose will come down to how you intend to use them in the kitchen.
Choosing the Right Onion Varieties for Your Growing Zone
You also need to make sure that you are choosing onion seeds that are best adapted to your growing zone. Long day onions are a good choice for gardeners in more northern zones. These onions are well adapted to growing with the amount of daylight hours available in areas like zone 5. These onions can withstand cooler temperatures and the storage life is more viable for longer term storage.
Bunching onions and shallots are planted for more immediate use in the kitchen. They are often a staple of many kitchen garden designs. Some are even suited for growing in containers and raised beds if you are short on space.
If you are new to growing onions or looking for a more detailed guide, be sure to visit our blog post about growing your own onions. It walks you through the basics of growing onions by seed or set. It also explains how to select the best onions to grow based on your growing zone and conditions.
Some of our favourite varieties of onions and leeks to grow by seed in February zone 5 are:
- Utah Sweet Spanish Onions
- Walla Walla Onions
- King Richard Leeks
- American Flag Leeks
- Evergreen bunching Onions
- Tokyo Long Onions
- Candy Onions
Starting cole crops by seed in February zone 5
February is the month when you can begin to seed your cole crops in zone 5. Most of these crops belong to the brassica family. The vegetables belonging to this family include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, or Brussels sprouts.
These crops can all tolerate the cooler weather of spring. So, they are some of the first crops to be planted out in the garden. Getting a head start in February will allow you to harvest produce from your garden earlier in the season.
Aim to start your cole crops by seed indoors end of February to mid March. Since zone 5 covers a large geographic area, you may have to adjust this schedule. It will depend on your last frost date and growing conditions. The adjustments could be a couple of weeks here or there.
Once the seedlings have grown to a decent size, you can gently transition them outdoors. Continue to grow them under cover. Use a cold frame, greenhouse, or hoop tunnel to protect your crops from any damaging frosts. Most of these crops can tolerate a light frost and colder conditions. But, always best to err on the side of caution.
Cole crops grow well in raised beds and in-ground gardens. Some varieties are even adaptable to growing in containers.
Some of our favourite varieties of cole crops to start by seed are:
- Imperial Broccoli
- Copenhagen Market Cabbage
- Emiko Cabbage
- Snowball Y Cauliflower
- Calabrese Broccoli
Starting leafy greens by seed in February zone 5
If you missed getting started sowing some leafy greens indoors last month, you’re in luck! You can still start your leafy greens indoors in February zone 5. Crops like kale, Swiss Chard, Asian greens, and lettuce can all be started indoors this month. Getting a head start will allow you to transition your seedlings out earlier in the spring. To protect from the danger of frost, use a cold frame, greenhouse, or hoop tunnel.
If you haven’t done so already, aim to start your leafy greens indoors from mid-February to early March. You can also succession sow lettuce and Asian greens completely indoors over winter throughout the month of February.
Several leafy greens can be grown indoors and eaten as tender baby greens. Or, you can let them grow to full strength. It’s completely up to you and how you like to eat your greens. Growing them indoors over winter is a great way to add some vital nutrients and vitamins into your diet over winter.
Some of our favourite varieties of leafy greens to start by seed in February zone 5 are:
- Winter density lettuce
- Winter Gem lettuce
- Bright Lights Swiss Chard
- Dinosaur Kale
- Red Russian Kale
- Shanghai Bok Choy
- Baby Bok Choy
- Grand Rapids Lettuce

Flower seeds to start in February zone 5
If you’re looking to get a start on your summer flower garden, February is a great month! Starting your flower seeds early in zone 5 will give you a head start on the season.
Flowers that you might consider starting this month are calendula, agastache, poppies, alyssum, marigolds, sweet peas, foxgloves, or rudbeckia. All of these flowers are hardy and can handle the cooler temperatures of spring. This makes them the perfect flowers to get started on now in February in preparation for summertime blooms.
Aim to start these flowers by seed indoors towards the end of February in zone 5. This will give you plenty of time to grow some healthy seedlings that will be ready to transition outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
If you’re new to growing your own flowers, many of these are very hardy varieties that require minimal care. Many of these flowers can also be used in pollinator gardens. If you are interested in creating your own pollinator garden this year, head on over to our helpful blog post on how to create a pollinator garden in 5 easy steps! This guide is full of great advice to get your started.
Some of our favourite varieties of flowers to start by seed in February zone 5 are:
- Pam’s Choice Foxgloves
- California Poppies
- Cappuccino Rudbeckia
- Old Spice Blend Sweet Peas
- Early Multiflora Blend Sweet Peas
- Neon Calendula
Herb seeds to start in February zone 5
When starting herbs by seed in February zone 5, choose ones that are cold hardy. This includes parsley, chives, thyme, sage, mint, lavender, or tarragon. These herbs will be able to better handle the transition outdoors in early spring when the temperatures are still cool.
Aim to start your seeds indoors in mid to late February in zone 5. To make the transition easier outdoors, you can start your seeds in pots.
Some of these herbs can also be grown exclusively indoors and kept as an indoor herb garden. How you choose to grow and harvest your herbs is completely up to you. Be creative and perhaps try both approaches!
Some of our favourite herbs to start by seed indoors in February zone 5:
- Garlic Chives
- Italian Flat Leaf Parsley
- Curly Parsley
- Apple Mint
- Chocolate Mint
- English Lavender
Frequently asked questions about starting seeds in zone 5
Do you need grow lights to start seeds?
Most seeds will need some light to germinate. The exception is pansies which require darkness at first until germination begins.
You do not necessarily need to grow lights to grow indoors over winter. They do help if they are in your budget and you have available space for them.
You can also use a sunny kitchen window or south facing windowsill to germinate your seeds. As they sprout, you will need to turn them as the sun moves during the day.
How many hours a day should grow lights be on for seedlings?
Usually 14-16 hours a day is sufficient for most seedlings. Some power bars come with a timer or you can buy a separate timer attachment. This will help you to set it for a certain amount of hours per day after which they will automatically shut off.
Should you leave grow lights on 24/7?
No, you should avoid leaving your grow lights on 24/7. Most seedlings once they emerge will require about 14-16 hours of light per day.
The idea is to mimic the daylight that they would receive outdoors. So, only having them on for a certain amount of hours per day will get your seedlings ready for their outdoor transition.
What to do after seeds sprout indoors?
After your seedlings emerge, you will need to actively monitor their progress. This means ensuring that they have the right balance of temperature, light, and water.
If the soil is dry to the touch, it’s time to gently water them. Avoid having your seedlings sitting in too much standing water. This will cause stress which you want to avoid.
How long can seedlings stay in seed trays?
Young seedlings can typically stay in their seed trays for 4-6 weeks. After this, you will need to consider re-potting them into larger containers.
Or, if you are at the point where they can go outdoors, you can slowly acclimate them for later transplant.
How often do you water seedlings?
Seedlings will need water while they are actively growing. Keep an eye on their water levels. Do not let them dry out too much.
Since you are most likely starting your seeds indoors this time of year in zone 6, the tendency to dry out is higher. Keeping a close watch over your seedlings each day will help you to monitor their progress.
Avoid over or under watering and inconsistent watering schedules. This can add undue stress to your seedlings.

Final thoughts on starting seeds in February zones 5a & 5b
If you’ve caught the gardening fever and are eager to get started, there are several seeds you can start in February in zone 5. Whether it’s vegetables, herbs, or flowers, let today’s guide be the inspiration you need to get started.
If you’re new to starting seeds, be sure to follow along with us all month long over on our socials. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Don’t miss out on any of our how-to tutorials and seed starting guides that will be posted throughout the month.
Also, while you’re here on the blog, consider subscribing to our newsletter. Don’t miss out on any of the fun and interesting updates to come as we begin the seed starting season! You will also want to visit our online store with easy shipping options throughout Canada. Here you will find a large variety of our handmade items with the quality craftsmanship you can trust from Canadian-made products.
Until next time gardening friends, have some favourite seeds that you are starting in February in zone 5? Drop a comment below or share a photo over on our socials. We love to hear from you and share in the seed starting journey together!