Jobs In the Garden for February
In the UK, February marks a transition towards the spring season, and there are a few essential gardening tasks to focus on. Here’s a list of key tasks to tackle during the month: pooling content from reputable sources including the RHS. Enjoy! Cheers Steve.
- Prepare Soil for Spring Planting
Clear debris: Remove any leaves, dead plants, or other debris that have accumulated over winter.
Soil improvement: If you haven’t already, you can start adding organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil. This is a good time to lightly dig or turn the soil, weather permitting.
- Prune Shrubs and Trees
Winter pruning: It’s the last chance to prune certain trees, shrubs, and hedges that require winter pruning (such as apple trees, roses, wisteria and shrubs that bloom on old wood). Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood and shape the plants.
Cut back perennials: Many perennials that have died back can be cut back now, just above the ground, to allow for fresh growth in spring.
Trim back overgrown hedges and prune climbers.
- Start Seedlings Indoors
Start seeds indoors: Start seeds for flowers and vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and aubergines undercover or indoors. It’s still too cold to plant these outdoors, but February is perfect for starting them in trays or pots. Prepare vegetable seed beds, and raised beds.
- Tidy Up Flower Beds
Deadhead remaining flowers: Remove dead flowers from winter pansies or other winter-flowering plants to encourage more blooms and to keep the garden tidy.
Cut back ornamental grasses: If not already done, you can cut back ornamental grasses to the ground before the new growth starts.
Soft fruit plants are especially vulnerable to frost and may need protection to crop well.
- Check for Pests and Diseases
Inspect plants: Look for any signs of pests or diseases on trees, shrubs, or perennials. Aphids or fungal issues can sometimes show up early in the year, so keep an eye out.
Clean pots and tools: If you haven’t already done so, clean your garden tools and pots to help prevent disease and pests from being carried into the new season.
- Prepare for Lawn Care
Moss and weed control: You can apply a moss killer or rake out any weeds that have appeared in the lawn. Avoid cutting the grass too early, though, as it’s still too cold for most lawns to be mowed regularly.
- Plant Bare-root Trees and Shrubs
Bare-root planting: February is the ideal time to plant bare-root trees and shrubs, as the plants are dormant and will establish themselves before the growing season kicks in. Adding Mycorrhizal fungi to encourage root establishment.
- Check Greenhouses and Cold Frames
Ventilate: Ensure that greenhouses and cold frames are ventilated to prevent fungal diseases from developing due to excess moisture. Keep an eye on temperatures inside and make sure the structure is secure.
- Plan for Spring Planting
Order seeds and plants: If you haven’t already, now is a great time to plan what to plant for spring and summer. Order any seeds, bulbs, or plants you’ll need in advance.
Though February is often chilly and unpredictable, it’s a great time to prepare your garden for the busy growing season ahead!