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This Month … In the Garden
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY MEANS WE ARE ONE MONTH CLOSER TO SPRING , AND THE BUDS AND WILDLIFE HAVE STARTED TO APPEAR AS THE DAYS BECOME LONGER AND EVER SO SLIGHTLY WARMER ; THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME FOR HEADING OUTSIDE INTO THE GARDEN FOR SOME PRUNING AND PREPARING FOR THE JOYOUS MONTHS AHEAD .
© Yoksel Zok / Unsplash
FEBRUARY ’ S TOP 5 TIPS :
Prune your clematis
Check which group your clematis is in ; group one flower in late winter and early spring and require little or no pruning ; ensure to remove the dead heads after flowering . Group two flowers in early summer can be left unpruned . While group three flowers in late summer and should be pruned in February . Pruning your summer flowering clematis in February will mean you get the most out of the plant and won ’ t end up with a tangled mass . Remove any dead growth and prune to approximately 30-40cm from the ground . Find guidance on clematis groups online .
Prune shrubs
Many summer-flowering deciduous shrubs can be pruned during this month , such as hydrangea , climbing roses and bushes , lavatera , buddleja davidii and hardy fuchsias . Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs , as you will cut off potential buds .
Sow your undercover seeds
Seeds at this time of year require shelter and warmth , so it ’ s essential to ensure that you have the right environment before starting . Bringing a seed tray into the house isn ’ t ideal , so if you have a heated greenhouse or propagator mat , that ’ s ideal . Seeds that you can start at this time of year include beetroot , aubergine , sweetpeas and cornflowers . Remember to keep rotating the trays to ensure they get equal light .
Divide & plant snowdrops
The best displays of snowdrops are when they appear in abundance , and the best way to achieve that is by dividing the already existing mature clumps . Plant in a partly shaded moist position and ensure they are all the same depth so that the leaves and flowers are above the soil and the stem under . Water well once planted .
Start potting
It may seem early , but you can start potting up your containers with hardy spring bedding plants such as primroses , sweet Williams and forget-me-nots . You can also start thinking about planting your summer-flowering bulbs in pots and start them off inside or in the greenhouse . Planting them now will get them off to a good start and mean that they will begin growing as soon as the weather gets brighter .
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