Winter in the country garden

February jobs in the country garden

February is normally when the garden slowly starts to wake from it's winter hibernation. Things are a little behind this year due to the cold weather we've been having, but I have still spotted crocuses and snowdrops peeking above the surface, and the swelling buds of hellebores preparing to grace us with their elegant nodding flowers. 

Jobs to do in the garden this month:

It's a good idea to get on top of things now before 'gardening proper' begins.  

February is your last chance to cut down overgrown shrubs and hedges before the nesting season begins. 

Prune old stems of herbaceous perennials. Prune late flowering clematis. 

Start dahlia tubers into growth.

Divide and plant snowdrops. 

Top up food and water supplies for the birds.

In the kitchen garden: 

Finish off pruning fruit now if you haven't already.

Plant fruit trees and bushes. Feed and mulch fruit trees.

Warm vegetable beds by covering with fleece for early planting.

Chit potatoes. Plant garlic. Sow broad beans in the greenhouse. Plant shallots.

Indoors:

Plan your kitchen garden beds, rotating crops on a three or four year cycle.

Order seeds.

Browse this months (March issue) 'Homes & Gardens' magazine where you can read about my garden here in the springtime.

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