{"id":296,"date":"2025-02-07T13:18:42","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T13:18:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/?p=296"},"modified":"2025-02-07T13:19:58","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T13:19:58","slug":"gardening-calendar-2nd-week-in-february-audio-available","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/amazon-alexa\/gardening-calendar-2nd-week-in-february-audio-available\/","title":{"rendered":"Gardening Calendar 2nd Week in February ( audio available )"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Second Week of February Audio file Click Here <\/a>to listen to .wav file <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, we\u2019ve managed to avoid any serious snowfall in the UK although the weather has been quite frosty. Garden activities may need to wait until midday when the frost clears. February is a great time to reflect on last year\u2019s gardening season and make plans for the months ahead. Below are key gardening tasks for the second week of February, along with detailed guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garden Planning and Preparation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Review and Plan Your Garden Borders<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Look at pictures from last year\u2019s garden to evaluate gaps in colour and structure. Plan to introduce perennials and shrubs that offer interest throughout the year. Consider plants with staggered flowering times to ensure continuous colour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulching Garden Beds<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Mulching improves soil structure, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds. Materials for mulching: garden compost, shredded bark, well-rotted manure, leaf mould. Apply mulch after pruning and tidying, keeping a depth of about 5 cm  (2 inches). Before mulching, apply Grow More fertiliser (one handful per square metre) to counteract nutrient loss caused by the decomposition process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hedge Maintenance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clearing the Bases of Hedges<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Remove invasive plants such as brambles, elder, or other weeds. Clear dead leaves and debris to improve airflow and reduce pest risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filling Bare Patches in Hedges For deciduous hedges: Use bare-root hawthorn, yew, or beech to fill gaps. For conifer hedges: Use yew or Lonicera lonicera nitida to fill the gaps both of which tolerate shade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pruning and Cuttings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking Hardwood Cuttings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Best time  for Cornus (dogwood) and other winter-stemmed shrubs. Cuttings should be about 15\u201320cm long, with the base just below a bud. Insert into pots or directly into a sheltered garden bed with well-drained compost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Training Espalier and Cordon Fruit Trees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 February is ideal for shaping apples, pears, and cherries before new growth starts. Espalier training: Train branches horizontally using wires against a wall or trellis. Fan-training (for cherries and some plums): Spread branches outward in a fan shape and secure to a framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seed Sowing (Indoor & Outdoor)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indoor Seed Sowing (Windowsill or Greenhouse)<\/p>\n\n\n\n