Gardening Tasks in February: Setting the Foundation for Spring

As winter lingers and spring beckons, February provides a unique blend of cold, frosty mornings and the hopeful promise of warmer days. While the garden might still be in its dormant phase, there are several tasks gardeners can embark upon to prepare for the bustling months ahead. Here's a comprehensive guide on gardening jobs for February and the seeds you should consider sowing this month.

Gardening Tasks for February:

General Maintenance:

• Winter Pruning: It's the last call for pruning many deciduous trees, shrubs, and hedges before they begin their spring growth.
• Composting: Turn compost heaps to allow air circulation and add fresh layers of green and brown materials.
• Mulching: If you didn’t do it in the autumn, now's a good time to mulch around the base of perennial plants with well-rotted compost or manure.



Lawn Care:

• If the soil isn't too wet or frozen, give your lawn a light mow on a high setting.
• Repair lawn edges or any damaged patches.

Greenhouse and Indoors:

• Start ventilating your greenhouse on milder days to prevent mold growth.
• Clean pots and seed trays to ensure they're ready for spring sowing.

Fruit & Vegetables:

• Chit potato tubers: Place them in a light, cool but frost-free position to encourage strong, short shoots.
• Prune apple and pear trees if you haven’t already done so.

Beds & Borders:

• Clear up any remaining fallen leaves and debris from flower beds.
• Divide large clumps of perennials like hostas and daylilies.

Seeds to Sow in February:

Vegetables:

• Brassicas: Start cabbages, cauliflowers, and Brussels sprouts indoors.
• Root Vegetables: Consider sowing early varieties of carrots, turnips, and parsnips under cloches.
• Onions and Leeks: Start onion sets and leek seeds in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill.

Flowers:

• Summer Bloomers: Begin sowing summer flowers like marigolds, cosmos, and snapdragons indoors.
• Perennials: Start perennials in a greenhouse or indoors for a head start. Examples include echinacea, lupins, and delphiniums.

Herbs:

• Basil, Parsley, and Chives: Start these indoors or in a greenhouse to transplant out after the last frosts.

Fruits:

• Strawberries: If you're using runners, now's the time to plant them.

February might still be cold, but it's an ideal month to lay the groundwork for a successful gardening year. By carrying out essential tasks and sowing the right seeds now, you're setting yourself up for a vibrant spring and a fruitful garden all year round. So, grab your gardening gloves and let's welcome the impending spring with enthusiasm!