Jobs in the garden for February

Written by Daily Fix - Published 01-Feb-2019, last updated 21-Jun-2024

In the garden, February marks an exciting time as we begin to witness the first signs of Winter's departure and the approach of Spring. As the month progresses, we can observe bulbs eagerly emerging from the ground, anxiously awaiting their chance to bloom and add vibrant colors to our garden. The days also gradually become longer, by just a few minutes each day, promising more sunlight and warmth for our plants.

To make the most of this transitional period, there are several important tasks to consider in order to prepare your garden for the upcoming season...

Divide snowdrops

As snowdrops appear you may want to divide clumps, creating new clumps elsewhere in the garden.

Cut hedges

If you didn't cut evergreen hedges last September or October, don't worry! You still have the opportunity to carry out this task before birds begin nesting. Trimming your hedges at this time, before spring arrives, will not only help maintain a neat and tidy appearance, but it will also promote new growth when warmer weather eventually sets in.

Most importantly, take a moment to check for any signs of nesting activity among your hedges before proceeding with cutting. Birds often seek shelter in dense evergreen hedges during nesting season. If nests are found, it is best to postpone trimming until after birds have safely moved on.

Assuming you find no signs of birds nesting, start by assessing the overall condition of your hedges. Identify any dead or damaged branches that need to be cut off first, ensuring you have a pair of sharp pruning shears or hedge trimmers handy. Trim back any overgrown branches that may be encroaching on neighbouring areas or obstructing walkways.

When cutting, keep in mind that you should aim for a slightly tapered shape - wider at the bottom and narrower towards the top. This design allows sunlight to reach all parts of the hedge evenly, ensuring healthy growth from top to bottom.

After trimming your hedges, don't forget to clean up any fallen leaves or clippings beneath them. This prevents potential fungal diseases and keeps your garden free from debris.

Cut back ornamental grasses

Now is the perfect time to consider cutting back your ornamental grasses in preparation for the upcoming new growth. You may have left last year's growth to provide some winter interest, but as winter comes to an end, it's time to tidy them up. Trimming them back not only improves their appearance but also allows fresh, vibrant growth to take center stage.

Sow vegetables

Some vegetables can be sown now, probably under cover, and planted out when the soil warms up.

Chit potatoes

Garden Centres will be selling seed potatoes which you can chit inside now.

Chitting potatoes is a simple process that can help your potatoes get off to a good start in the garden. Here's how to do it:
Choose your potatoes. You'll need seed potatoes, which are specially grown for planting. They should be firm and have a few eyes.
Place the potatoe in a shallow tray or egg box with the eyes facing upwards. Put the tray in a cool, bright spot (about 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit/10-15 degrees Celsius).
The potatoes will then be ready to plant out when the shoots are 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) long. Plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.

Get a head start on March

Start planning your jobs in the garden for March.