Ali's Garden

MyGardenTeam member with GardenAdvice.co.uk

Gardening tasks for Late January and Early February

by · Published · Updated

Chitting Potatoes for an early crop

January

Winter Pruning – Fruit Trees

Apple Tree Hygiene

Raised Bed Maintenance

  • Apply winter wash to raised bed frames to eliminate overwintering pest eggs and mildew spores
  • Clean and inspect greenhouse structures

Rose Pruning

  • Prune roses back to outward-facing buds, removing about one-third of growth
  • Cut back to healthy wood (white/green inside, not brown)
  • Remove any remaining black spot affected leaves
  • More info: https://gardenadvice.co.uk/?s=rose+black+spot

Mid-February

Vegetable Sowing – Under Cover

  • Broad beans: Sow in deep pots or modules for planting out in March
  • Early peas: Sow in guttering or deep trays indoors
  • Onions: Start onion sets in modules if not already done
  • Garlic: Check garlic planted in autumn is establishing well
  • Leeks: Start leeks from seed in seed trays using Coco Coir compost
  • More info: https://gardenadvice.co.uk/blog/grow-your-own-fruit-veg/

Early Salad Crops

  • Lettuce: Sow early varieties indoors in modules
  • Spinach: Direct sow under cloches or in cold frame if weather permits
  • Radish: Quick-growing crop – sow successionally in greenhouse

Herb Preparation

  • Check on rosemary, sage, and oregano – trim any frost-damaged shoots
  • Pot up some mint in containers to control spread before spring growth

Compost Bay Setup

Late February

Greenhouse Preparation

Vegetable Bed Preparation

  • Begin preparing vegetable beds by adding garden loam to improve soil structure (helps prevent mildew)
  • Remove any winter weeds before they set seed
  • Apply Growmore fertilizer to beds at one handful per square metre
  • Cover with cardboard in areas where you’ll plant later (prevents weed germination)

Early Potato Preparation

  • Potatoes: Chit seed potatoes indoors in egg boxes or trays in a light, frost-free place
  • First earlies should have good shoots by late February

Greenhouse Sowing

  • Tomatoes: Sow seeds in Coco Coir compost for greenhouse planting
  • Peppers & Chilies: Start seeds indoors in propagator or warm windowsill
  • Aubergines: Sow in modules with heat (18-21°C)
  • Basil: Start early sowings for greenhouse growing

Sweet Pea Support

  • If you want sweet peas, sow now in deep pots (root trainers ideal)
  • Place in cold frame or unheated greenhouse

Ornamental Garden Tasks – Throughout February

Front Garden

Lavender Care

Philadelphus Pruning

Euonymus Check

Mulching Preparation

  • Order spent mushroom compost or well-rotted manure for spring mulching
  • Have cardboard ready for weed suppression around new plantings
  • Remember: Don’t use spent mushroom compost around acid-loving plants

Pest & Disease Management – Throughout February

Mildew Prevention Strategy

  • Continue implementing the mildew management plan:
    • Ensure good soil structure improvements are ongoing
    • Have Vitax Yellow Sulphur ready for first sign of mildew in spring
    • Dispose of any remaining mildewed plant material from last season (bin, don’t compost)
  • More info: https://gardenadvice.co.uk/vitax-yellow-sulphur-powder/

Slug Control Preparation

Pheromone Trap Preparation

General Maintenance – Throughout February

Watering

Tool Maintenance

  • Clean and sharpen secateurs and pruning saws
  • Oil tool blades to prevent rust
  • Check irrigation system components are ready for spring

Planning Tasks

Wildlife Support

  • Keep bird feeders topped up during cold weather
  • Ensure wildlife pond (if installed) has an ice-free area
  • Leave some areas undisturbed for overwintering beneficial insects

February Vegetable Sowing & Planting Schedule

Based on Ali’s fruit and vegetable list, here are the priority crops for February:

Under Cover (Greenhouse/Windowsill):

  • Tomatoes (late February)
  • Peppers & Capsicum peppers
  • Chilies
  • Aubergines
  • Cucumbers (very late February if heated)
  • Basil
  • Coriander
  • Lettuce
  • Leeks
  • Onions (from sets)
  • Peas (in guttering)

Could Start if Conditions Allow:

  • Kale (hardy varieties)
  • Spinach (under cover)
  • Radish (quick crop in greenhouse)

Preparation for March Planting:

  • Potatoes (chitting)
  • Broad beans (in pots)
  • Spring onions (prepare site)