Gardening jobs for February

Well it is now February and it feels like a turning point in the garden and there are many gardening jobs for February..  It’s still cold outside, but there are signs of spring’s  arrival everywhere you look. Bulbs are slowly emerging from the ground, and the days are getting longer at last. Something all gardeners are grateful for after a dark winter.

There are a variety of gardening jobs that “must” be completed in February in my opinion and here are a few for you to consider.

Kill perennial weeds

They can be forked out, removing all the roots, and burnt or put out with the rubbish but better still if you have a compost heap that is active then put them there. I use a hotbin so that is where mine are going.

Chit potato tubers

It’s important with earlies, and a good idea with maincrops, to ‘chit’ the seed potatoes before planting. This means allowing them to start sprouting shoots. Mine are chitting in my window sill now

Prune winter flowering shrubs

Early-flowering shrubs are pruned after flowering (in late winter to spring and early summer). They usually bloom on the growth of the previous year. February is the “ideal time” to prepare your flowering shrubs for spring growth. It is a good time to look at your roses. Not only do healthy roses bloom better, but they are also more resistant to disease and insects. Roses usually start in late March or early April and should be fertilised when the first buds start to sprout at the latest.

Prune your Wisteria

this is a twice yearly job.

Summer pruning (July or August)

Cut back the whippy green shoots of the current year’s growth to five or six leaves after flowering in July or August.

This controls the size of the wisteria, preventing it getting into guttering and windows, and encourages it to form flower buds rather than green growth.

Winter pruning (January or February)

Then, cut back the same growths to two or three buds in January or February (when the plant is dormant and leafless) to tidy it up before the growing season starts and ensure the flowers will not be obscured by leaves.

Sowing in February

Broad beans, carrots, parsnips peas and radishes can all be sown out doors this month.

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