The evenings are – just slowly – starting to lighten up a little. Despite the cold, damp days, there’s a promise of spring not too far off.
What are the important jobs to get busy with in your garden this February?
If you’ve taken a couple of months off the gardening, now is the time to spend a few happy hours pottering in the garden – or the greenhouse – and check everything is in order.
Cutting back and pruning
Now is a good time to prune and cut back any grasses, plants and shrubs that need a haircut, if you haven’t already done so. It’s best to get these done before birds start to nest and before the growing season kicks in.
Winter-blooming shrubs like winter jasmine, heather and mahonia can be pruned once they have finished flowering for the season. Climbers like Ivy and Virginia Creeper may have spread quickly and be ready for a trim back
Late-flowering Clematis which hasn’t already been cut back will benefit from being winter-pruned. These need regular pruning: simply cut back all stems to approx. 30cm (12”) above the ground. Do check which group your Clematis falls into first, though, as groups 1 and 2 require different care.
Spring flowering shrubs and plants may also benefit from winter pruning to allow good spring growth. Buddleja and Elder both benefit from a hard early-spring pruning to stop them taking over and maintain their shape.
If you have an established Wisteria, now is a good time to cut back to two or three buds of around 10cm (4”).
In terms of fruit trees, now is the time to finish winter-pruning fruit trees such as apple, blackcurrant and autumn raspberries.
Check if anything needs moving or dividing
Perhaps you have a plant or deciduous shrub that is growing in the wrong place. February, when growth is dormant, is a suitable time to move these, as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. If you need to move an evergreen, wait until late March.
Now is a good time to divide those herbaceous perennials which have become overcrowded. Next year you’ll have a whole set of new plants! The same goes for those gorgeous snowdrops and winter aconites.
Plant ahead
There are a number of things to get planted in February.
Firstly, if you have containers, hardy spring bedding plants like forget-me-nots, primroses, wallflowers, violas and hardy geraniums will give some quick early colour.
For outdoor planting of fruit and veg, Rhubarb can go in now (it’s also a good time to divide existing rhubarb), as can bare-root fruit trees, canes and bushes as long as there’s no frost.
If you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse, then you’ll know there is plenty to be cracking on with planting-wise.
If you don’t have a greenhouse, then get planning for a little bit later in the year, check your existing seed stocks and expiry dates and order more as necessary.
Prepare, protect and fertilise
Use fleece where necessary to protect early growth, and use cloches over strawberries to get them kick-started. Check any fleece on existing containers and pots.
Flowering shrubs and roses will benefit from a good dose of slow-release fertiliser around the base. And in late-February top dress beds with a balanced fertiliser to nourish those perennials.
February is also a good time to work on your beds and prepare for any new plants. Most gardens will benefit from some compost or well-rotted manure being forked through. You can also dig through some gravel and organic matter if drainage needs improving.
Wildlife watch
If you’d like to attract birds into the garden, then a bird table and fat balls or seeds will help. Consider a nesting box with a camera if you want a bird’s eye view of the nesting process without getting close.
Give ponds a clean and remove any autumn netting. Make sure escape ramps are in place for hedgehogs. If you don’t have a pond yet, consider planning one for this year. Here at Genesis Gardens, we’re big fans of natural clay ponds for their natural look and low environmental impact.
As always, if you need help with any aspect of your garden in North Wales, our team are available to do the hard work for you, whether as a one-off or a regular service. Get in touch for a chat.