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in THE GARDEN …
FEBRUARY
with Millbrook Garden Centre
Prune Wisteria
Wisteria need regular pruning to maintain strong healthy growth , keep them under control and promote a good flower display . February is the best month to do one of two needed annual cut backs because with the leaves dropped you can really see the framework . Cut back summer pruned shoots to 2 or 3 buds and any long whippy shoots that have grown over the summer months can be cut back to 5 buds from the main stem . Older plants may need a harder prune to stimulate strong spring growth , try to maintain an open shape with good spacing between the branches .
Renovate ornamental grasses
Evergreen grasses will benefit from a tidy up in February with the removal of any dead leaves , but do not cut them back as they don ’ t respond well to hard pruning ! Deciduous grasses on the other hand have to be cut back annually to ground level to stay at their best . This stimulates strong new growth and allows the new season ’ s growth to come through unhindered . If you find any loose stems then remove them and clear out any leaf litter or other debris that may have settled in the crown over winter . Mulch around the base of your grasses once finished to give them a boost .
Lawn maintenance
If the weather is particularly mild then your lawn may begin growing again in February , if it needs mowing then set the blades at the highest setting and only do so when the lawn is dry . Watch out for any spring flowering bulbs that may be emerging ! Use a spade or lawn edger to re-cut the edges if necessary and try to maintain a 3-inch gap from your borders to prevent the grass from spreading . However , if the weather is cold and frosty try to stay off the lawn wherever possible . Treading on a frosted lawn can cause damage to the leaves that takes time to go and looks unsightly .
Dig a pond
Ponds are great for wildlife and these kinds of habitats are needed more than ever ! They don ’ t need to be huge either . Provided you can have one section that is at least two feet deep to avoid winter freezing then you can make it as small or large as you like . Try to make gently sloping edges to enable wildlife to easily enter and exit your pond . If you have a more formal pond with built up edges then you can use a log or plank of wood to create a ramp for the same purpose . February is a good month to start because the wet spring weather should help fill it up for you .
Greenhouse check Make sure your greenhouse heaters are working properly and maintain a temperature of at least 5 ° C to protect tender plants such as fuchsia from the winter cold . On warmer days , make sure to ventilate your greenhouse too as this will help reduce the chance of fungal diseases through the season . Maintain good plant hygiene by clearing away debris such as twigs , leaves and soil . If you have seedlings underway make sure they are getting enough light and pot them up into individual pots as soon as they are large enough . Make sure they are always moist but take care not to overwater . millbrookgc . co . uk
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