What Can I Plant in Southern California in February?

In Southern California, the climate is mild, so there’s little difference between months of planting fruit and vegetables. Some varieties are even suited to the area’s Mediterranean-style climate. However, if you’re a beginner gardener looking to start your spring and summer garden in a hurry, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First of all, the season is a key consideration when choosing plants.

For plants that will bloom in the spring, you can plant them now. Some perennials, such as ferns, will bloom in the spring, and container-grown plants can be planted now. For warm-season annuals, you should wait until the danger of frost is past, and then plant them at the end of the month. In Southern California, you can plant a variety of plants in mid-February, but for deciduous trees and citrus, wait until the next month.

Cool-weather plants can be planted now, such as fava beans, radishes, carrots, beets, and chard. For vegetable gardens, you can start seeds of summer crops such as strawberries and peppers. In order to get the most from your investment, you should invest in a quality seed-starting kit and adjustable grow lights. If you have a green thumb, you can even plant a bare-root lilac bush or two.