Harry and Yiota’s February Garden Calendar
February is a pivotal month in the gardening year – the bridge between winter and spring. While it can still be cold, there’s an increasing sense of anticipation as days lengthen and the garden begins to stir.
Feeding & Soil Care
Bulb Feeding Early February is the perfect time to feed your spring bulbs as they emerge. Apply tomato food (high in potash) or Growmore fertilizer around daffodils, tulips, and other spring bulbs. This feeds both the current display and helps the bulbs build up energy for next year’s flowers. Scatter the feed around the bulbs and water in if conditions are dry.
→ Read more: Feeding Your Spring Bulbs
Mulching the Borders Once you’ve cleared and weeded your borders, apply a generous layer (5-8cm) of well-rotted compost or manure. This suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and feeds the soil as it breaks down. Keep mulch clear of plant stems to prevent rotting.
→ Read more: Add a Mulch of Organic Matter (and Worms!) to Improve Clay Soils
Roses & Climbing Plants
Rose Pruning on the Arch Prune your climbing roses on the arch this month. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing stems, then tie in the main framework. Cut side shoots back to 2-3 buds from the main stems. This encourages flowering along the length of the stems rather than just at the tips.
→ Read more: Pruning Climbing Roses on Arches: A February Essential
Replacing the Failed Wisteria February is an ideal time to plant new wisteria while it’s dormant. Prepare a generous planting hole with plenty of organic matter, and ensure good drainage. Plant at the same depth it was growing in the pot, and provide immediate support for the stems.
Planting Clematis Jackmanii in the Front Hedge Plant your Clematis Jackmanii deeply – about 10cm deeper than it was in the pot. This encourages new shoots from below ground level and helps protect against clematis wilt. Provide support and water well after planting.
Fruit Tree Care
Vitax Winter Wash for Potted Fruit Trees Apply Vitax winter wash to your potted fruit trees on a dry, frost-free day. This helps control overwintering pests, eggs, and diseases. Spray thoroughly, covering all branches and bark. Avoid spraying on windy days or when rain is forecast within 24 hours.
Sowing
Sweet Pea Sowing If you haven’t already sown sweet peas, early February is your last chance for early flowers. Sow in deep pots or root trainers in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. They germinate best with some cold exposure but don’t need heat.
→ Read more: Sowing Sweet Peas: A Rewarding February Project
Structural Work
Pointing the Gate Pillars Repair any crumbling mortar on the gate pillars now to prevent further frost damage. Choose a mild spell and allow the pointing to cure properly before the next hard freeze.
Hedge Cutting You can trim hedges this month, but wait for frost-free conditions before tackling the laurel. Laurel leaves turn brown and unsightly when cut in frosty weather. Aim for a mild spell, ideally when the forecast is frost-free for several days.
Weather Watch: Keep an eye on frost forecasts throughout February – some tasks are best saved for milder spells, particularly the fruit tree spraying and laurel trimming.