As a cold blast is expected to hit from this weekend, gardeners planning to sow seeds have been warned to postpone this task until the weather improves.
Gardening can be a challenging task, especially for those with a busy schedule. However, as February arrives, it is essential to start preparing your garden to ensure it looks its best before the warmer weather sets in. Although winter is still here, and the temperatures are expected to drop, this is the perfect time to get ahead with essential maintenance tasks that will encourage healthy plant growth in the months ahead.
February in the UK is often cold, wet, and foggy, with temperatures fluctuating between -0.4C and 10C. Despite the chilly conditions, the month sees the emergence of early spring flowers such as narcissi, cyclamen, and crocuses, which join the delicate snowdrops in adding colour to the garden. Those are the first signs that spring is just around the corner… How exciting!
When it comes to planting seeds, timing is crucial. Sowing seeds in frozen ground is unlikely to result in successful germination, as the cold temperatures prevent seeds from sprouting. Instead, February is the perfect time to focus on soil preparation, pruning, and other garden maintenance tasks.
If you don’t take care of your garden space during the winter months, you can expect to see an increase in weeds, damaging the plants due to harsh and freezing weather. This will eventually decrease plant health in spring, a higher risk of disease spread, and a bad-looking garden when warmer weather arrives – meaning that there’s going to be more work to do trying to repair it.
Must-do checklist for February
According to Garden Health, here’s the essential checklist for February:
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Prune the shrubs that have become overgrown and misshapen
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Replant snowdrops
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Prepare houseplants for spring
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Prepare the soil with straights
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Cut back ornamental grasses
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Start sowing bedding
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Sow or re-pot sweet peas
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Mulch and improve the soil
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Lime your vegetable beds
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Start preparing outdoor seed beds for early vegetables
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Plant rhubarb crowns
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Dig trenches for runner beans
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Feed the birds and put up nest boxes
By tackling these essential February gardening tasks, you will create the perfect conditions for a thriving and vibrant garden as spring approaches with longer sunlight. Taking time now to prune, prepare, and plant will ensure that your garden is full of healthy plants, bright flowers, and flourishing crops in the coming months.
