1. Start the right seeds
February is early—focus on slow growers like:
-
Peppers
-
Tomatoes
-
Onions & leeks
-
Herbs like parsley and thyme
Skip fast growers (zucchini, beans) for now—they’ll outgrow their pots before it’s warm enough outside. These can be started indoors closer to spring.
2. Light is everything
Winter sunlight in the Midwest isn’t strong enough on its own.
-
Use grow lights (not just a sunny window)
-
Keep lights 2–3 inches above seedlings
-
Aim for 12–16 hours of light per day
Leggy seedlings = not enough light.
3. Use clean containers & fresh seed-starting mix
-
Skip garden soil—it’s too heavy and can carry disease
-
Use a lightweight seed-starting mix
-
Clean pots = healthier seedlings (no mystery mold)
4. Warm soil = better germination
Many seeds germinate best at 70–75°F.
-
Use a heat mat if possible
-
At minimum, keep trays off cold windowsills
Once seeds sprout, you can remove extra heat.
5. Water gently
Seedlings are delicate.
-
Bottom water when possible
-
Keep soil moist, not soggy
-
Good airflow helps prevent damping-off disease
6. Label everything
Trust us—tiny green seedlings all look the same in February
Label trays with plant name and planting date.
7. Be patient
Growth is slow this time of year—and that’s okay.
Strong roots matter more than fast top growth.
8. Don’t forget the calendar
Count backward from your last frost date (mid-May for Chicagoland). Starting too early can mean stressed, overgrown plants by spring.