With spring just a few weeks away, the month of February is one of much activity in the garden. Indeed many of the early bulbs are already in flower and the grass will soon be growing. Seed sowing in the glasshouse can start with bedding plants such as ageratum, alyssum, antirrhinums, begonias, calceolarias, calendula, carnation, cineraria, coleus, lobelia, nasturtium, petunias, salvias, sweet peas and tagetes. Perennials such as digitalis (foxglove), lupins, coreopsis, penstemon and rudbeckia can also be sown under glass now. During February, plug plants of many species can be purchased and these are ready for potting up straight away. This is also the time to start sowing vegetables in the greenhouse including tomatoes, leeks, lettuce and cucumbers. Do make sure that there is adequate heating to cope with frosty conditions.
The vegetable garden should have been dug by now and so too should the flower borders. Prune fruit trees (except plums) and spray them as soon as possible with a winter wash spray. Peach trees must be sprayed with either Dithane or Copper Fungicide before mid-February at the latest to prevent them getting peach leaf curl. Shrubs such as the buddleia can be pruned at this time of the year and late-flowering clematis, such as C. Jackmanii, must be cut back hard now.
Before the birds start nesting hedges can be given a trim too. Seed potatoes should be purchased now so that they can be ‘chitted’ (sprouted) in a light frost-free place so that they are ready for planting in the spring. For new potatoes, choose early varieties such as Arran Pilot, Foremost, Home Guard and Pentland Javelin. For jacket and mashed potatoes, you will need maincrop varieties such as Cara, Desiree and King Edward. There are many newer varieties of potatoes in the garden centre these days such as Concorde, Rocket, Swift and Maxine. Then there is the salad potato, Pink Fir Apple. At the end of the month, shallots can be planted, followed by onion sets during March.
Lawns are best left alone at this time of the year, but it is a good idea to have the lawn mower checked over ready for the spring. Now is the time to make final plans for the approaching garden season and to make any alterations or additions that might be necessary. New hedges will need to be planted by the end of next month. Much colour will be seen in the garden this month. There will be bulbs such as snowdrops, aconites and crocus. The witch hazel (Hamamelis), winter heathers, winter jasmine, mahonia, forsythia and lonicera fragrantissima should all be in full flower now.
Terry Simmonds