Key Gardening Tasks for February

 

Pruning and Maintenance

  • Prune Shrubs: This is a good time to prune late-summer flowering shrubs like Buddleia and Wisteria. Cut back to healthy buds to encourage new growth.
  • Ornamental Grasses: Cut back old foliage from ornamental grasses to make way for fresh shoots.
  • Clematis: Prune Group 2 and 3 Clematis, cutting back to healthy buds about 30 cm from the base.

Planting and Sowing

  • Early Seeds: Start sowing seeds indoors for vegetables like spinach, kale, and leeks. Use a heated propagator or a sunny windowsill.
  • Rhubarb: Plant rhubarb crowns and cover them with forcing pots to encourage early growth.
  • Snowdrops: Lift and divide snowdrops while they are still ‘in the green’ to create more plants.

Soil Preparation

  • Prepare Seed Beds: Cultivate and warm up the soil for upcoming sowing. Use fleece or cloches to protect the soil from frost.
  • Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch around perennial plants and trees to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

General Care

  • Check Tools: Ensure all gardening tools and machinery are in good working order for the upcoming season.
  • Wildlife Support: Install bird feeders and nest boxes to support local wildlife as spring approaches.

These tasks will help prepare your garden for the growing season ahead.

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