GardenWhat to sow in February in India
Vegetables, herbs and flowers to sow or plant in February, for the northern plains, the south and the hills, with the garden jobs of the month.
North and central plains
Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal plains and places with a similar cold winter and hot summer.
Flowers to sow or plant: Marigold (genda), Zinnia, Sunflower, Cosmos, Portulaca (moss rose).
Jobs this month:
- As the frost danger passes, sow okra, gourds, cucumber, cowpea, French beans and sweet corn.
- Transplant tomato, brinjal and chilli seedlings raised in winter.
- Sow summer flowers such as zinnia, sunflower and cosmos.
- Plant mint and lemongrass. Divide and repot crowded herbs.
- Harvest the last cauliflower, cabbage and peas, and clear the space for summer crops.
South and coastal India
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, coastal Maharashtra and Odisha: places where winter is mild and frost is unknown.
Flowers to sow or plant: Marigold (genda), Zinnia, Sunflower, Cosmos, Portulaca (moss rose).
Sow summer vegetables now, before the heat builds: okra, gourds, amaranth and beans. Mulch the soil to save water.
Hills
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kashmir, Sikkim, Darjeeling, the Nilgiris and other places above about 1,000 metres, with cold winters and mild summers.
No vegetable in our list is usually sown this month. It is a month for harvesting, soil care and planning.
In the lower hills, start sowing peas, potatoes and leafy greens as the soil thaws.
Sowing windows are typical for each region and shift by a few weeks with altitude, the monsoon and the variety. Check with a local nursery if you are unsure.
All months
More garden help
- Gardening seasons in IndiaKharif, rabi and zaid explained for the home gardener.
- Balcony and terrace gardenPots, potting mix, sun and water for growing in containers.
- How to sow seedsDepth, trays, transplanting and why seeds fail.
- Compost at homeTurn kitchen waste into plant food in a bucket or a pot.
- Pests without poisonSimple, safe ways to deal with the common garden pests.
- Flower calendarWhen to sow 20 garden flowers in each region.
- Kitchen herbsTulsi, mint, coriander, curry leaf and six more.