The Garden in February

Lots of new growth is around at this time of year, despite the fact that gardens look dead and not ready start growing again for months! The changes are easy to see when you go to a garden centre. A wide range of spring bulbs, generally grown under glass are in stock for those that didn't have time or forgot to buy or plant them in Autumn last year.

Tulipa greigi 'Pinocchio' in trays
at Bents Garden and Home

It's not difficult seeing other plants with interest this time of year, you sometimes just need to look a little more carefully. Take the brilliant red stems of Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku' against the new buds of Magnolia stellata 'Waterlilly' below.

Plants to keep an eye out for this time of year are Galanthus (Snowdrops), Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose), Iris reticulata, Pyracantha, Eranthis, Muscari, Aucuba, Hamamelis trees (see below) and Crocus bulbs.

A few plants to keep your nose ready for are Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill', Daphne mezereum and Lonicera x purpusii 'Winter Beauty'. the first having pale pink flowers and the latter two having white or creamy white flowers.  All produce a perhaps unexpected abundance of scent at this time of year.


So, in your own garden...


Herbaceous

If you have left seed heads and statuesque stems on herbaceous plants for the winter, now is the time to remove them. Keep enough stem on the bottom of the plant to protect any young shoots from wind, particularly if the site is exposed. The same goes for deciduous grasses which were left uncut in autumn/early Winter.  

Well established borders would benefit from being top dressed with John Innes as a base with a Hoof and Horn fertiliser (Slow release nitrogen) on top. If you have refrained from digging around plants until now, spread the fertiliser around then dig it in. 


Water features and aquatic plants

Continue to ensure that pools and ponds are protected from ice and get rid of weeds from the bog garden.


Lawns

When there is dry and mild weather, the lawns would benefit from being aerated and scarified. This is a good time to apply lawn sand and to treat moss in the lawn. Scatter worm casts with a soft brush or besom when they are dry. Do not mow your lawn before March comes! If you are planning to seed grass, preparation of the soil can begin as long as the weather is favourable!


Fruit and Vegetables

Good time to sow early peas and beans. Potato tubers will be available now, also for early crops. They can be sprouted in a light frost-proof room or maybe in a shed. Shallots can be planted now and carrots can be sown in a cold frame, in fertile soil. Net fruit to reduce the risk of damage by pigeons.


General 

Good time to plant trees, shrubs and deciduous hedges (Pick mild weather).  Overgrown hedges should be pruned back towards the end of the month. Autumn bulbs can be bought cheaply this time of year. Well worth buying a few as they will still flower, even if a little later than 'normal'. Check the bulbs for disease and that they are hard to touch when squeezed.

Prune Wisteria plants and winter flowering shrubs which have finished flowering. February is the last month to think about pruning apple and pear trees.

Plant and/or divide bulbs in-the-green; Galanthus (Snowdrops or Eranthis (Aconites). Also divide large herbaceous plants.