Get busy in the garden in February

Green-fingered Brits are being offered top tips on the gardening jobs they should be tackling during February.

The experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have put together advice on the jobs gardeners should be carrying out this month and the plants, bulbs, fruit and vegetables they should be planting.

Among the tasks are preparing for the milder months ahead by building raised beds, preparing seed trays and cleaning pots ready to fill them with bright spring bedding plants.

For gardeners planning to grow fruit and vegetables, February is a good month to begin preparing seed beds and chit early potatoes.

Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Although your garden may look dormant now, there is lots to be getting on with ahead of Spring.

“With longer and hopefully milder days ahead, make the most of the sunlight and get outside to prepare your space for planting. There are other important jobs to tackle too like pruning, feeding the soil with some well rotted manure and giving the greenhouse a good clean down.

“February is a good month to take stock of what you have in the garden, the changes you want to make and to get ordering to make sure it all happens.”

Here are GardeningExpress.co.uk‘s February gardening jobs:

1. Prepare seed beds

Start preparing seed beds this month and sowing some vegetables under cover. Invest in some seed trays – this will make it easier when it comes to moving the fledgling plants outside. Try starting with some salad veg, broad beans and summer cabbages. You can start these in the greenhouse in seed trays, or outside under cloches to protect the seeds.

2. Pruning

February is a good time to begin pruning dormant plants. Climbers, wisteria and rhododendron are all ones to look at as well as summer flowering clematis. 

3. Ornamental grasses

Cut these back in February so they’re ready for new growth in the spring. Deciduous grasses can be cut right back. For evergreen varieties, remove dead blades at the base. 

4. Build raised beds

If you want to grow some vegetables in raised beds, get those built now before growing season gets well underway. Raised beds are great for growing – the soil warms up faster and drainage is better.

5. Snowdrops

Split and replant snowdrops in February to guarantee a glorious display next year. As the flowers fade, dig up, tease the bulbs apart and replant in clumps.

6. Prep for spring planting

If you’re planning to plant pots with spring colour, brush down and wash this month so they’re ready for you to get creative in March.

7. Install a waterbutt

If you don’t already have one, install a waterbutt. It’s a much greener way to keep your plants well watered during the warmer summer months.

8. Chit potatoes

Start chitting early potatoes. Lay them out in trays or egg boxes until they show signs of sprouting. Think about planting out towards the end of the month when it begins to warm up.

9. Feed the garden

Cover your flower or vegetable beds with well rotted manure or compost and fork it in. This will feed and warm up the soil ready for the months ahead.

10. Clean the greenhouse

If you have a greenhouse, clean the windows to allow maximum light in and clear any gutters. If there’s been any damage during the winter, make sure it gets fixed.

11. Plan ahead

On those colder days, spend time planning out your garden for the months ahead, select the plants, fruit and vegetables you want to grow and order the bulbs, seeds and plants.  

Take a look at the GardeningExpress.co.uk garden style guides to help you plan your garden.