AFTER a long and chilly winter, we finally have the hope of warmer weather on the horizon.
Gardeners can start preparing their outdoor spaces for spring and TV legend Monty Don has shared a list of jobs you should start with before the end of February.
From sewing seeds to pruning back older plants, there are many jobs on the to-do list.
On his blog, BBC star Monty shared: “February is the month when the garden really starts to come alive and grow even if the weather can be severe and the days are still short.”
With the sun starting to set past 5pm, it could be the perfect time to tick a few items off to ensure you get a beautiful garden for summer…
Sow seeds
While it may seem too cold for many plants, it’s actually a good time to start planting seeds, claims the gardening expert.
You can start by filling some seedling trays with soil to start growing plants inside with some light and a bit of warmth.
Some seed trays come with a lid and can be plugged in to warm up the seeds – giving the effect of an incubator or greenhouse in summer.
Monty advised that you should remove seedlings from a warm heat source when they have started to sprout so it builds up hardier plants.
He wrote in Gardener’s World: “It’s very tempting to mollycoddle seedlings, especially early in the spring. This is always a mistake.”
Monty shared how they should be planted in a sheltered area with plenty of ventilation.
The gardening expert recommended that vegetables that you can plant now include “leeks, peas, kale and rhubarb.”
While it may be too cold outside for some plants, you can start sowing seeds inside[/caption]
Mulch soil
If you have a large enough outdoor space, mulching is one of the most important jobs you can do in your garden.
The process includes spreading a layer of leaves, compost or organic material over the soil, to achieve three jobs all at once.
Monty shared how it suppresses weeds, increases water retention in the soil and improves the structure and nutrition of the soil by feeding worms and other bugs.
On his blog, he advised of mulching: “It is important to spread it thick enough – no less than two inches deep and twice that if you have enough material.
“It is better to do half the garden properly than all of it with too thin a layer of mulch.”
You should add mulch – leaves, compost or organic material – to your flowerbeds[/caption]
Pruning
Monty shared how pruning can be left until March, but you’ll want to do it before spring is in full swing.
The gardening expert advised that when you tackle the job, make sure you use very sharp tools and be targeted about where you chop.
He shared: “Do not snip at random but make your cut just above a bud or a leaf or the joint of another stem.”
When it comes to thick branches, avoid using secateurs as they are too small.
Meanwhile, with clematis, Monty said you shouldn’t be afraid to go to town and snip it right back, and roses can also take “a mauling.”
He wrote: “The old rhyme ‘if it flowers before June do not prune’ will get you out of most trouble.”
Tomatoes
Monty plants two staggered batches of tomatoes ready for summer[/caption]
In preparation for summer salads, you can start thinking about tomatoes.
Monty shared how he plants his in two batches – one in February and the second in March or April – which is an insurance against bad weather.
The gardening whizz shared how you should scatter the seed lighting on the surface of compost in a seed tray and then cover with another layer of compost.
When it comes to helping them grow, he advised that you don’t hold back with water, and they should be put in a warm spot to germinate.
When the first set of true leaves appears, you should move them into bigger pots as they then have roots.
When May comes, they can be put in even bigger pots or in a vegetable patch.
Help feed birds in your garden but putting out feeders of nuts and seeds[/caption]
Feed birds
Finally, Monty shared how encouraging birds into your garden can help bring joy and life.
And now is a key time to feed them up so they are strong as it’s the time when they start to mate, nest and lay their first batches of eggs.
The best food to put out is nuts and seeds, as well as ensuring they have clean water to drink and bathe in.
February gardening jobs
The Sun’s Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine has a few jobs to do in February.
Get new plants for free
Things start gearing up in February – and it’s a good time to split large clumps of grasses, snowdrops and hostas to get new plants for free.
Cut back ivy
If your ivy has got ridiculously overgrown, it’s a good time to cut it back before the birds start considering it as a nesting place. Warning though – and I’ve learned this from experience – ivy is very difficult to compost unless you shred it – and take out any viable roots which could sprout again. Take it to a council compost instead.
Prune winter-flowering shrubs
Prune back your winter-flowering shrubs like mahonia and Winter Jasmine. Remove dead- diseased and damaged and cut back any long shoots hanging down so they don’t form new roots. Take off around 20 per cent.
Cut back Cornus Sanguinea AKA Dogwood – right back down to its base. It’s ok to be brutal, it will grow back – and will be even better and brighter in Winter.
Get seed-ready
Get your seedbeds ready – as long as it’s dry, firm it down by wallking on it, sprinkle with fertiliser, rake until level removing all stones, add some compost and break up clumps.
Find new places for trees
If you want to move deciduous trees – now is the time to do it – but make sure the soil isn’t frozen. Dig a circular or square trench, put a bit of sand in the bottom, water well the day before and once in the hole, water and mulch around it – although keep the base free from mulch.
Start chitting potatoes
Start chitting first early potatoes on your windowsill – old eggboxes are perfect for it. This basically means encouraging them to sprout before planting.
Get ahead with slugs and snails
Start the fight against slugs and snails early – if you track down the overwintering ones, you might manage to deplete the numbers later in the year.
