February - The Prelude to Spring

• More frosts and the garden continues to struggle to look good, but the blackened stems of many herbaceous perennials can be cut back to tidy beds if desired

• Complete the winter pruning of apples and pears (non-stone fruit) and many climbers and shrubs that flower late in the summer

• Prune Wisteria by cutting stems back stems to two or three buds

• Also prune other climbers such as Virginia creeper, ivy, Campsis, winter-flowering jasmine, and the late-flowering Clematis – ones that flower on the new season’s growth

• Bare rooted roses, shrubs, hedging, and some trees can also be planted now through to end of February and are a very cost-effective way to buy new plants

• February is usually when the seed sowing season starts but choose which seeds to sow first with care - Plants that need a long growing season or when you want the earliest possible flowers should be started under cover in February

• Later sowings made when light levels are higher and the weather generally warmer are usually more reliable

• Hardy annuals and many vegetable seeds, garlic, and onion sets can be started under cover now, as well as the chitting of seed potatoes.  

• Dahlia tubers and Lily and Dutch Iris bulbs can also be started back into life under cover, but do be careful of cold weather – the full moon on the 5th is called a ‘Snow Moon’ for a reason!

• Continue to ventilate greenhouses on warmer or sunnier days if you are overwintering plants or perhaps give it a pre-Spring clean inside and out and ensure that the glass is clean to allow as much light in as possible

• Finally, as you enjoy your garden and the frosts that paint the stems and foliage, spare a thought for the birds, and put some food and water out – they will repay you later in the season by eating lots of unwanted pests