{"id":797,"date":"2026-02-16T13:31:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T12:31:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/?p=797"},"modified":"2026-02-16T13:33:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T12:33:07","slug":"gardening-calendar-for-sonia-and-ben-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/gardening-calendar-for-sonia-and-ben-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Gardening Calendar for Sonia and Ben \u2013 February 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"432\" src=\"http:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2026\/02\/dahlia-flowers.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-782\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2026\/02\/dahlia-flowers.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2026\/02\/dahlia-flowers-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2026\/02\/dahlia-flowers-520x346.jpg 520w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2026\/02\/dahlia-flowers-320x213.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Beautiful Multicolored Dahlias Close-up<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This month&#8217;s focus:<\/strong> Preparation, soil feeding, pruning, lawn readiness, and setting the garden up for strong growth and colour later in the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information about Sonia and Ben&#8217;s garden project, visit their <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/\">MyGardenTeam page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Planning and Ordering<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Order <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/summer-colour-in-your-garden\/\">sweet pea seeds and dahlia tubers<\/a> (available from B&amp;Q) for strong seasonal colour later in the year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/blog\/starting-dahlias-from-tubers-in-january-and-february\/\">starting dahlia tubers in February<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Soil Feeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Feed the entire garden with Growmore fertiliser at approximately one handful per square metre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply evenly across all beds and borders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Borders and Ground Preparation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Side Borders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Apply ground sheeting to suppress weeds and prepare for later planting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See the <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/garden-renovation-notes\/\">side border renovation plan<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hyacinth Borders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dig out and thin overcrowded hyacinths<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After thinning, either apply ground sheeting OR lay cardboard and mulch over the top<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>New Border Areas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lay cardboard directly onto the soil<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply a layer of mulch over the cardboard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Front Garden Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dig out as many bluebells as possible in the front garden and the area where the lawn will be removed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cover cleared areas with ground sheeting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Organise wood chip delivery for mulching<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shrub Pruning and Feeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prune quinces hard, cutting stems back to approximately 6\u20138 inches to encourage strong new growth from the base (retrain new stems as they develop)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lightly shape other shrubs as needed to maintain form and encourage bushier growth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feed hebe plants with high nitrogen feed (such as Miracle-Gro) to encourage fresh green growth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read more about <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/789-2\/\">pruning and border reset planning<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lawn Preparation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Apply additional lime to the lawn if required<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepare for <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/gardening-tips\/creating-a-mirco-clover-lawn\/\">clover sowing<\/a> in the coming weeks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More information on <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/newsandarticles\/creating-a-new-clover-lawn\/\">creating a new clover lawn<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fruit Tree Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prune apple and other dormant fruit trees (if not professionally scheduled)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/gabi\/winter-wash-fruit-trees-wisteria-and-rose-plants\/\">winter wash<\/a> after pruning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install pheromone traps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>During flowering, if there&#8217;s a dry spell, water thoroughly as blossom drops to improve fruit set<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>General guidance on <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/gardening-tips\/apple-tree-care-and-general-pruning-rules\/\">apple tree care and pruning<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Comprehensive <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/care-of-fruit-trees\/\">fruit tree care information<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Propagation and Early Growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/sowing-seeds-vegetable-and-flower-seeds\/\">Sow sweet peas<\/a> in deep pots<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pot up dahlia tubers to bring them into early growth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitor pelargoniums and other emerging perennials<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maintenance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Spot treat emerging weeds using a hand sprayer with stronger glyphosate-based weedkiller where necessary<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spot treat ivy on the fence; once dead, cut back and remove<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn about <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/bindweed-and-bramble-weeds\/\">spot treatment with weedkiller<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check containers for <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/gardening-tips\/vine-weevil-control-in-pots\/\">vine weevil<\/a> and take preventative measures if required<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continue planning screening for the left-hand side (viewed from the house)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Refer to the pruning schedule already recorded online<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>View all of Sonia and Ben&#8217;s gardening notes at:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/\">https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This month&#8217;s focus: Preparation, soil feeding, pruning, lawn readiness, and setting the garden up for strong growth and colour later in the year. For more information about Sonia and Ben&#8217;s garden project, visit their&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-797","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-gardening-tasks"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/797","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=797"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/797\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/soniaandben\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}