Jobs in the Garden this February

Jobs in the Garden this February

Published: 29th January 2023

Statistically February is the coldest month in the UK so it’s hardly surprising the that there’s still a big focus on tidying the garden this month as we wait for the spring to burst into full colour. We’re being eased in with splashes of colour from the spring bedding favourite, the primrose which is always a welcome sight.
If you’re stuck how to get your garden spring-ready this season then take a look at Sam from our Great Shelford Plant Department’s top tips for this month.

Maintenance in the Garden

It’s not too late to cut the tatty old leaves off your Hellebores. This allows this years flowers and foliage to shine.

Shrub and bush roses can be pruned now, new growth is showing so it is easier to see where to cut back to. Remove dead or spindly, weak growth, and cut back by up to a third depending on how tall the plant is. Always cut to just above a bud. Hybrid tea Roses can be cut back harder.

If you haven’t cut back your Wisteria yet doing it now can still improve flowering. The long whippy stems which grew over the summer need trimming back to two buds from the main stem. This should reduce the amount of leafy growth this year and increase the amount of flowers.  Try and complete this earlier in the month to maximise its effectiveness. The end of February can sometimes see temperatures rising and growth accelerating.

Continue tidying up the borders, cutting back last years stems before this year’s growth starts to take over again. Plants like Sedum need the old stems removed quite low down so they don’t spoil the look of the plant,  Doing this now means less damage to emerging new growth.

Snowdrops can be divided to create more plants or to move whilst the plants are “still in the green”. 

Winter-flowering Jasmine can be cut back now to encourage new growth. It’s best to cut last year’s growth to about 5cm of the old wood.

Deciduous hedges should be given a trim now before birds nest, but always check before starting this task.

Tools will be coming into regular use shortly, so take the time to give then a once over, whether oiling joints or sharpening blades.

Cover the soil around your plants with a thick mulch. With lower rainfall and ground water levels decreasing in this region our plants are suffering. Improving your soil structure with organic matter such as soil conditioner, sterile manures or homemade compost will mean any water and nutrition in the soil will be retained longer and plant roots can therefore take advantage of it.

Alternatively you can prep the soil by warming with a layer of fleece or polythene pinned to the ground, cloches will be required for some plants such as outdoor strawberries.

Disinfect and scrub pots and containers with a mild detergent. Make sure to rinse the pots thoroughly afterwards.

If you haven’t done so already, lift containers onto feet and group together against an exterior house wall. The escaping heat from the house will help to keep the containers warm through the winter.

Winter pansies can be deadheaded now before they go to seed to encourage a new flush of flowers as we head into the warmer weather.

Whilst maintenance jobs are limited, think about installing a water butt. Ericaceous plants will benefit in particular with rainwater as opposed to tap water as the water from the tap is often slightly alkaline.

Now is the time to cut back foliage from ornamental grasses before the new growth shows. Cut them back to about a few centimetres of the ground.

Unless of waterlogged soil or if the ground is too frozen, deciduous trees can be moved and repositioned now.

Weeds will start to show in the perennial beds. It’s best to dig them out including the roots now before they really establish themselves in the warmer weather. Keep the good practice of keeping an eye out for weeds regularly. 

What to plant now

Summer flowering bulbs are still available for planting now.  

Sweet peas can be grown in a glasshouse, cold frame or a cool place indoors now. To speed up germination, soak the seeds overnight in tepid water.

Winter-flowering shrubs will be ideal for adding interest to borders and containers. Looks for viburnums, witch hazels, daphnes.

Begonia tubers can be potted up in moist compost with the hollow side facing up. Cover the tuber with a little more compost then keep them in a sunny, frost-free location.

Hardwood cuttings can be potted on or planted out now.

Grow your own

Onion sets and garlic bulbs are available from the bulb departments.

Prepare for the growing season by cleaning any plant debris and building raised beds. The benefit of raised beds particularly for areas with clay soil is that the soil warms up quickly and drains quickly.

Force rhubarb for an early crop with a forcing jar. Once the plant reaches to the top of the jar, it’s ready for harvesting.

Yellowing leaves on brassicas should be removed to prevent against downy mildew and grey mould from spreading.

Carry on chitting potatoes but placing the seed potatoes in a module tray or egg box located in a warm, sunny position such as a windowsill. 

Slugs can still be an issue in the garden, particularly with the damp weather. For a variety of slug control methods visit our garden care departments.

Gooseberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants  can be pruned now to help maintain a productive framework.

For mild areas of the UK or for those with sandy soil, carrots, parsnips, broad beans, salad onions, lettuces, peas and spinach can be sown outside under a cloche. Otherwise wait until March or April when the soil has begun to warm up.

Apple and pear trees can be pruned whilst the trees are dormant. Plum, cherry and apricot trees should be left until the summer to reduce the chance of getting Silver Leaf disease from pruning.

Asparagus and artichokes will benefit from a layer of well-rotten mulch or compost.

Cucumber and tomato seeds can be sown in a warm greenhouse.

Leeks can be sown under cover for the long growing season they require.

Plan what fruiting trees would make a welcome addition to  your allotment or garden plot.  If space is limited look into patio and dwarf varieties.

For more great advice and expert knowledge then visit our plant departments and speak to a member of the team. We’ll see you again next month for more tips to start the spring right.

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