In February the days are getting noticeably longer, and while winter still has its grip, we’re edging ever closer to spring and another wonderful growing season. February is a month of preparation, planning, and a touch of planting – the perfect time to get ahead before the real rush begins.
Add Colour with Primroses
For an instant splash of colour, primroses are a brilliant choice. Hardy and vibrant, they’re perfect for brightening up pots by the front door or adding cheer to borders.
Plan Your Planting
Browse through seed catalogues or visit your local garden centre to decide which flower and vegetable seeds to grow this year. If you have a greenhouse or windowsill space, early sowings of chillies, tomatoes, aubergines, and sweet peas can get a head start indoors.
Get Ready for Sowing
Propagation season is just around the corner, so now is the time to stock up on essentials. Make sure you have a good supply of seed compost, modular trays, and labels for easy organisation. Give your propagation equipment – including pots, seed trays, and propagators – a thorough clean with warm soapy water to remove any lingering pests or diseases.
Feed the Soil
A generous mulch of homemade compost or well-rotted manure will nourish your borders and vegetable beds, improving soil structure and fertility before spring planting begins.
Prune for Better Growth
Wisteria: Shorten shoots to two or three buds (around 10cm) to encourage flowering.
Deciduous hedges: February is the last opportunity to trim before birds start nesting.
Roses: Towards the end of the month, start pruning by removing dead, diseased, or crossing stems to promote healthy growth.
Keep Helping Garden Birds
Keep bird feeders, birdhouses, and water sources are clean and regularly topped up. Garden birds and other wildlife rely heavily on these resources during the lean winter months.
Lawn Care
You should try your best to avoid walking on your lawn whenever it is covered in any heavy frost or snow as this will damage the grass beneath.
Weeding
Undoubtedly there will be some tough weeds that have somehow survived and grown through beds, borders and patios in winter so far. Remove any you see.
Clean Your Tools
With the onset of a busy year in the garden ahead make sure to clean your tools thoroughly. Wipe them down, remove soil and debris, disinfect and allow them to dry completely. Then they’ll be ready for action again when spring arrives.
Seed Potatoes
Buy your seed potatoes and chit them by placing them in a box or some egg cartons in a cool, frost- free spot with good natural light.
