Posted: 15 February 2024
Author: Luke
From bulb shoots to blossoms, wildlife and longer days, there is an awakening taking place in the garden in February. A promise of new beginnings and the first sightings that Spring is on the horizon.
Here are our gardening tips for February:
Check on Newly Planted Trees
We’ve had some windy weather over recent weeks so now it’s starting to calm (fingers crossed), it’s a good time to check on the stability of any freshly planted trees in your garden. They may not have had enough time to establish a strong foundation just yet, so if you see any gaps appearing around the root ball be sure to add in additional compost and firmly press it in. This is to prevent water build up around the roots. Add in extra supports where necessary too.
Tidying in the Garden
Check fixings and ties, and that any fleece protection is still holding as there may still be a risk of frost. Weed and keep the ground clear of any fallen leaves, branches, twigs, or any other detritus that may have blown in.
Prune Roses
Late winter is a great time to begin pruning roses. Take out any cross branches and damages that have occurred over winter, along with any diseased stems. Use this time to encourage your roses into the shape you are after – it’s good to aim for a goblet shape as this allows for air circulation throughout the plant.
Divide Snowdrops
Maximising the spread of Snowdrops in your garden can be done by lifting and dividing whilst they are still in an active state of growth. This window is usually just as they have finished flowering. To do this, be sure to push the spade in below the group of bulbs, lift and gently tease apart before moving. Once you have split the clump, you can simply re-plant the smaller clumps around the garden. It’s a good idea to have the new area prepped and ready for transfer to ensure the bulbs don’t dry out.
Chitting Potatoes
Now is a good time to start chitting your ‘first early’ potato varieties, ready for planting at the end of March. Chitting is where you place your potatoes in a cool, light space so that they begin to produce shoots. A handy tip is to use an old egg carton and face any shoots upwards.
Keep an Eye Out for Low Temperatures
As the days get milder, your plants will begin sending out new buds and shoots. Be mindful of any colder days and ensure plants like Camellias with buds are protected from being burnt by frost.