Gardening Month by Month - February

FEBRUARY GARDENING

February in the gardening world is one of preparation. You've done a lot of your planning the previous month, so now it time to get ready for action and with Spring just around the corner, it's time to make sure that your prepared to make the most of your gardening time later. Snowdrops and the occasional crocus may even be breaking though and blossoming.

The main tasks and priorities this month are:

It will most likely still be cold and wet outside and often February is the coldest of months with the most frost and snow. However, there is lots that can be done. Start with clearing out the greenhouse and making things spick and span in there!

February is also the month to get the lawn mower going and check that it's in good working order. Sharpen the blade and lubricate the moving parts, it'll be busy before too long. The shears and other tools will appreciate a tune up or spring clean as well.

A coat of paint on tools will keep them fresh looking and with the price of tools being so expensive nowadays, a little effort spent on them will pay dividends later on in their lives.

Later on in the month is a good time to dig in some manure or fertiliser around the roots of shrubs and trees. This will help kick start them into action when the weather starts to warm up.

Honeysuckle and other deciduous vines should be trimmed back now and shaped if needed. Your roses should also be pruned back now if they haven't been done yet.

Currants in the garden should now have all the branches and trunks removed that are over three years old.

If weather allows and you didn't manage to turn the soil in January, get the vegetable patch turned over.

Get buying those required seeds or get your order off now to the mail order or online seed providers.