Why I Don’t Start Seeds in February

This Southern Gardener’s Take on Seed Starting

📝 Opinion | by Guy Saldiveri | February 04, 2026

So you got your new seed catalog in December or January and all your seeds have been ordered.

All your gardening friends are champing at the bit, wanting to get started. YouTube channels are pushing you to get it in gear.

You will run out of time if you don’t get started now! Nope, not even close—well, not in the Deep South anyway.

Here’s my take on things—I’m letting what I planted last fall wrap itself up before I even think about spring. I’ll chill out for a few more weeks, think things over, get my beds ready, and prune back the hedges, roses, grapes, and fence lines. 

The growing season here in Southern Mississippi starts early, but goes on forever. I plant for the long run. I’ve lost too many seedlings and starts to late-winter or early-spring frosts over the years. The growing season around here lasts into November on average. For me, there’s just no need to rush it. 

I don’t use heat mats or expensive heat lamps and lights—just good old “Sol.” The sun is the best friend you have in this situation. I wait until late March or early April to get rolling. Most of my seeds get direct-sown right into the containers or beds they will live in the whole season.

I know many people just like to get an early start. To be honest, there are two good reasons to do so, ones that I struggle with myself. These are pest pressure and midsummer heat—which stops most vegetable production in its tracks. The flip side to that is the seedlings often have to be hardened off, or they take enough damage from the cold that they experience stunted growth.

Pest pressure usually ramps up in the mid- to late-season, right as those temperatures start their climb. Many folks just want to get that first harvest done before those two issues become too big a problem. I usually get enough of an early-season harvest to be satisfied, so I don’t worry too much. 

I also expect to be growing all through the summer into the fall anyway, so I’d rather not take the chance on losing half to two-thirds of my seedlings up front. Believe me when I say, this has happened to me more times than I want to think about. It’s also a lot of effort for me to move the trays and starts back and forth between the patio and house depending on the weather we’re getting. Waiting an extra month just makes this easier—basically just set it and forget it. Well…you get my drift here.

February and March usually look a lot different to me. I don’t use the time for planting; I use it for cleanup and preparation. For me, it’s time to get the yard ready, the beds raked out, turned, and amended. The containers dumped, soil fertilized, compost added, refilled, and ready to go. Hedges and roses pruned back before new growth springs out. Azaleas fertilized and tree rings mulched. 

Once that’s all done, and I can catch my breath, I find the weather is usually in a much more cooperative state. The seeds go in, the sprouts come up, and the season is underway!

It’s a routine that I’ve come to appreciate, and it seems to work in my situation. I know many folks have differing experiences and that’s great. Everyone needs to work it to their advantage. Over the years, I’ve found this to be “my” sweet spot. 

Now if I can just remember where I left my coffee...

How do you work your schedule? Leave me a comment—I’d love to hear how you plan and set up your season.

Happy Gardening 🌱