February might be the shortest month, but there’s plenty to keep us busy in the garden as we edge closer to spring. It’s the perfect time to prep for the growing season ahead, whether you’re sowing seeds indoors, tidying up your beds, or giving your tools a bit of TLC. With frost still lurking, it’s a balancing act between protecting tender plants and dreaming about the vibrant blooms and fresh veg to come. Let’s dive into some practical tips to make the most of this transitional month!

Last Chance to Prune

In the South you can go into early March, but in the North you just need to get on with it !  Anyway, everyone must cut back shrubs & hedges before the nesting season starts.   Don't forget those clematis, buddleias and roses.   Also tackle cutting-back those grasses.

Planting

This is the ideal time to plant bare-root plants: shrubs, trees, fruit trees and bushes can all be planted directly into beds or pots during February.

Repotting

Repot or top-dress all of your shrubs in containers.

Garden Birds

Be sure to provide the birds with plenty of water and food during the harsh weather.   Plus it keeps them away from anything starting to bud in your garden!

Dahlias

Those tubers you have been storing over the winter can come out now.  Plant them in pots or trays and place them indoors in good light.  Spray them every now and then with water to encourage them to bud.

Audit Plant Supports

Have a hunt through all your plant supports and stakes: do you have enough for your planting plan?  Are the ones you've got in good order?  

Sowing

Start sowing annuals undercover.  

Here are some flowers which can be started now: sweetpeas, impatiens (busy Lizzies), laurentia, sun flowers (late feb) & nicotiana.

Vegetables

Starting chitting early potatoes.

Sow chillies.

Sow rocket.

Sow tomatoes:  1 lot in February and 1 lot in March

Happy Gardening!

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