February may still feel like winter, but for gardeners, it’s the true beginning of the growing season. Cool-season crops and onions thrive in chilly soil and shorter days, making this the perfect time to start planning, prepping, and planting.
This month, we’re focusing on cold weather crops and onions—what to plant, how to prepare your soil, and which amendments will give you the strongest start possible.
Cold Weather Crops: Getting Ahead of Spring
Cool-season vegetables actually prefer soil temperatures between 40–65°F. Starting them now means earlier harvests and stronger plants before summer heat sets in.
Best Crops to Start in February:
Lettuce
Spinach
Kale
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Peas
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Give your seedlings the strong start they deserve with the right nutrition at the right time. Once those first true leaves appear, young plants benefit from gentle, consistent feeding — and at Anderson’s, you’ll find a wide variety of fertilizer options to match your growing style.
From easy-to-mix liquid concentrates perfect for regular watering schedules, to convenient granular fertilizers that can be planted right alongside your seeds or starts, we carry solutions for every gardener. Whether you prefer quick-absorbing liquids or slow-release granules, you’ll find the ideal fit for healthy roots, steady growth, and vibrant young plants.
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Onions: Start Strong for Big Bulbs
February is prime time to start onions from seed indoors or plant onion sets in workable soil. Onions are all about root development early on—strong roots now mean bigger bulbs later.
Why Root Development Matters
Onions have shallow root systems. They depend heavily on early soil preparation and phosphorus availability to establish quickly in cool soil. Bone Meal is a natural source of phosphorus that promotes vigorous root growth. Incorporating Bone Meal into your soil before planting onions helps:
Strengthen early root formation
Improve nutrient uptake
Support larger, healthier bulbsMix it directly into the planting row or hole before setting onions.
Build Better Soil Before You Plant
Healthy soil is living soil. Before planting cold crops or onions, it’s the ideal time to improve soil biology.
Mycorrhizae is an easy way to give your garden a natural boost. This powerful soil amendment adds beneficial fungi to your soil — and those fungi team up with your plant roots to help them work better.
Think of it as extending your plant’s root system. The fungi connect to the roots and help them absorb more water and nutrients from the soil, which can lead to stronger growth, improved resilience, and healthier plants overall.
Apply Mycorrhizae directly into planting holes or rows to establish beneficial soil biology from day one.
The Takeaway
February gardening is about setting the stage. Cold crops reward early action, and onions especially benefit from thoughtful soil preparation and strong root development. By combining good timing with the right soil amendments and fertilizers, you’ll see stronger plants, better yields, and a head start on the season.