February is the perfect time to start seedlings indoors so they will be strong enough to harden off and plant outside once its warm enough.

To start seedlings inside, you’ll just need a seedling tray or small containers with drainage holes, sterile seed starter mix, some plastic wrap, and a sunny window. Plant your seeds 1-2 per cell or container in the moistened mix. Cover with plastic wrap. Check each day that the medium is moist. Once seedlings emerge, you can remove the plastic wrap. Provided they get enough water and strong sunlight, your seedlings should be strong enough within the next 2-3 months to go outside.

4. START COMPOSTING

February is the perfect time to set up a compost bin. Choose a spot that’s a little bit further from your home (due to the smells obviously), and throw in all compostable items such as fruit and vegetable leftovers, coffee grounds, and eggshells.

5. BUILD A HOOP HOUSE

A hoop house is a series of parallel hoops that arch over your garden, protecting them from the elements. It’s fairly easy to build and won’t cost you a lot of money. This dome basically acts as a mini greenhouse and can extend your growing season by at least 8 weeks in the spring and fall. By the middle of February, you can plant cold hardy plants in your hoop house, such as arugula, onions, and broccoli.

6. PLANT FALL BULBS

If you forgot to plant your bulbs in the fall, not to worry – you can still plant them now before it’s too late! Fall bulbs need a cold weather period to bloom before the weather gets warm again. As long as the ground is still cold, it’s not too late to plant your fall bulbs!