It can be very tempting during the potentially cooler days of February to stay in the comfort and warmth of your own home; however, nothing blows away the cobwebs better than some time in the garden.
There’s plenty to keep you busy and your mind off the unpredictable weather, even if you’re just outside to watch the first bulbs appear, says our CEO Peter Burks, who is a professional horticulturalist.
Take a look at our tips on gardening in February below. Then you can get ahead of the game and be prepared for the busy spring, especially if the weather remains mild.
Jobs in the home and garden during February
Feed
- Due to the longer days, houseplants may start growing again. You can begin feeding them again but use a dilute 50% fertiliser mix until the growth is well established.
Fertilise
- Mid-to-late February is the time to fertilise shrubs and evergreens with fish, blood and bone.
Plant
- Sow seeds such as antirrhinums, geraniums and parsley in pots on windowsills to get some early growth started
- Plant evergreens like ivy and laurel. It’s also the last chance to trim established ivy
- Asparagus, artichokes, horseradish and rhubarb can be planted this month
- Strawberries can be planted as soon as they become available
- Plant anemones, gladioli, ranunculus and tiger lilies
- Sow sweet peas and other seeds if you have heating in your greenhouse.
Prune
- Prune trees such as willow, fruit and roses if necessary
- Prune summer flowering shrubs if there is no sign of budding on the plants, if you do prune when the plant has begun to bud then it will result in a lower flower count
- Trim back any branches that were damaged by the winter weather
- Grapes must be pruned by Valentine’s Day to prevent sap ‘bleeding’
- Divide clumps of perennials
- Cut back winter flowering shrubs as they finish flowering.
Transplant
- Some shrubs and trees are still dormant enough to transplant this month, however the tell-tale sign that it’s too late is if the buds have begun to swell
- Ensure all plants in the garden are stable and haven’t come loose in the frosts and bad weather. If needs be re-plant, however, don’t do this if it is particularly cold.
Other things to remember include
- The vegetable garden should get its first tilling, subject to the weather
- Turn the compost heap
- Aerate and rake lawns
- Book your lawnmower in for a service ahead of what could be a busy spring
- If you live in the South or South West your lawn may have already started growing so could receive its first cut this month
- Remove dead or dried leaves from houseplants
- Get prepared for your busy period by cleaning and repairing equipment
- Oil and sharpen tools
- Sweep paths and treat with a moss killer if needed
- If we do end up with some exceptionally cold weather during the coming weeks, then it’s very important to keep early flowering or tender plants protected by covering them. Remove the covering as soon as the weather begins to improve again.
As a last note, during February the wildlife really starts to stir again from the cold dormant winter months. Birds are getting ready for spring and defend their territory so the feeding tables will remain very busy and it’s important to keep them stocked up. It’s also a good time to see birds such as geese heading north for their summer feeding grounds.
Take a look in the pond, as you’re likely to see frogs, toads and newts begin to wake up from hibernation.
For more information about gardening in February, please check out our early spring pruning tips.