February is a transitional month in the garden, with winter still present but spring on the horizon. It’s a great time to finish off winter tasks and prepare for the busy growing season ahead.
General Maintenance
– Prepare tools and equipment: Ensure everything is in good working order for the season, including lawnmowers and irrigation systems.
– Check compost bins: Turn the compost to aerate it, and add green waste if needed.
– Tidy garden structures: Clean greenhouses, cold frames, and cloches to maximize light and reduce pests.
Ornamental Gardening
– Prune shrubs and trees: Finish pruning roses, wisteria, and late-flowering clematis before growth resumes.
– Divide snowdrops: Lift and divide clumps while they are still ‘in the green’ to spread them around the garden.
– Mulch borders: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch to suppress weeds and conserve moisture before new growth starts.
– Cut back deciduous grasses and perennials: Trim old growth to make room for fresh shoots.
Fruit and Vegetable Gardening
– Plant bare-root trees and shrubs: It’s the last chance to plant them before growth starts.
– Force rhubarb: Cover crowns with a forcer or bucket to encourage tender stems.
– Sow early crops: Indoors, start tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, and salads in heated propagators. Outdoors, sow broad beans and peas under cloches if the soil isn’t waterlogged.
– Prepare vegetable beds: Weed, dig over, and add compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility.
Lawn Care
– Clear debris: Remove leaves and branches from lawns to prevent bare patches.
– **Edge borders**: Neaten the edges to give your garden a tidy appearance.
### **Wildlife and Sustainability**
– **Set up nesting boxes**: Encourage birds to settle in your garden before spring breeding season.
– **Check pond health**: Remove debris and ensure ice doesn’t completely cover ponds to allow oxygen exchange.
– **Plant for pollinators**: Add late-winter bloomers like crocuses and hellebores to feed early bees.
February is about laying the groundwork for a thriving garden. With days lengthening and temperatures gradually rising, your efforts will soon be rewarded!
