Gardening Jobs For February

February plants

• Helleborus Orientalis (Lenten Rose)
• Clematis Armandii
• Rhododendron
• Corylus ‘Contorta’

(all available at Palmers)

February Jobs Checklist

• Check your frost protection measures
  
• Dig new borders
  
• Bring Dahlias out of hibernation
  
• Sow sweet peas in greenhouse
  
• Plant pansies & violas
  
• Lawn repair and maintenance
  
• Cover strawberries
  
• Collect & dispose of any old rotting fruit
  
• Sow radishes & early veg
• Dig up any over wintered root crops
• Provide food & water for the birds

General Maintenance

• double check all of your frost protection is still in place; don’t be fooled by any sunshine you may see, it’ll still get frosty.
• dig those new borders if you didn’t have time in January, just make sure the ground isn’t frozen
• continue with any cleaning and maintenance jobs of tools, pathways and pots that you didn’t get round to in January

Flowers and Plants

• bring your Dahlias out of hibernation and pot in compost in a tray. Keep them somewhere frost free and with light
• sow your sweet peas in the greenhouse – spring is on it’s way
• lightly trim winter flowering Heathers once the flowers die off
• plant some Pansies and Violas to brighten up your garden
• now is the perfect time to plant Lily of the Valley crowns

Lawns

• stay off the lawn as much as possible
• spruce up any tatty edges or repair holes
• if you’re laying your lawn, you can start preparing the space.

Fruit

• cover your strawberries to encourage earlier fruit
• prune any fruit trees, if you haven’t already. Remember to keep the centre fairly open and cut out any rubbing branches to prevent disease
• don’t forget your netting cover to keep the birds from stealing your fruit
• re-mulch your trees and shrubs with fresh produce
• throw away any rotting fruit

Vegetables

It is time to sow your early vegetable and salad crops in the greenhouse or in trays:

• keep them on a windowsill, they need the light and air
• thin out your radishes to 1″ apart when large enough to handle
• dig over any vacant areas ready for new crop
• dig up any root crops still planted and store

Don’t Forget The Birds

Winter is a hard time for wild birds, they struggle to find food in the cold and their water freezes over.

• make sure you put out fresh water
• put out fresh food that is high in energy, or fat/suet balls
• give your bird table a good clean and check that it’s sturdy and in good condition.