Gardening Tips for February

February may be cold, but it's the perfect time to start prepping your outdoor space for a dazzling display come springtime. Discover all the essential gardening tips for February, including maintenance, prep, planting and even indoor gardening to get ahead for growing season. Keep in mind that some jobs can't be started until all risk of frost has passed, especially planting tender plants outdoors, though there's still plenty to keep your green fingers sated.

Propagation

  • The best way to get a head start on growing is by propagating and sowing your seeds indoors, whether you're using a windowsill, an indoor light or a greenhouse. Anywhere warm and bright is ideal
  • Start softwood cuttings from fuchsias, pelargoniums and other tender perennials. Use a sharp, clean knife and place your cuttings in moist compost for best results
  • Begin sowing vegetable seeds like tomatoes, chillies and aubergines, plus flower seeds like marigolds, lavenders and sweet peas. Plant them in trays or pots on a sunny windowsill or in a heated propagator. This gives them a head start before outdoor planting
  • After any snowdrops have flowered, gently lift and divide them into clumps to spread them around your garden for a bigger display next year
  • Always label your cuttings and seed trays to keep track of varieties and sowing dates. This is essential if you're planning a flower bed scheme and takes out any future guesswork

Lawn Care

  • Clear debris by raking away any leaves, twigs and moss. This improves airflow and helps prevent disease while also helping the grass to breathe, grow and get as much sun as possible
  • If the weather is mild and the ground isn't frozen, apply a winter lawn feed to your grass. This is a great step for strengthening your lawn's roots ahead of any spring growth for a thriving lawn year-round
  • Try not to walk on your lawn if it's waterlogged or frosty. This can cause compaction and damage your grass
  • Check for any early weeds. Remove them by hand or with a suitable tool before they become more established

February Flowers to Plant and Grow

  • Sow your hardy annuals indoors, ensuring you'll have stronger, healthier plants for summer. Sweet peas, calendula and cornflowers are ideal; sow them in trays for planting out later
  • Pot up summer-flowering bulbs, including lilies, gladioli and dahlias to give them a head start. Transplant these outside once any risk of frost has passed
  • Add instant colour with primroses, snowdrops and winter aconites in your borders. These are sure to bring early spring cheer to your space
  • Cover and protect any young plants with cloches or fleece if frost is forecast

What to Plant in Pots and Containers

  • Fill your containers with winter-flowering plants, including pansies, violas and cyclamen for colour through the colder months
  • Add spring bulbs like daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths to your pots for a vibrant spring display. Layer your bulbs for a dazzling succession of blooms
  • Refresh old compost and ensure your pots have good drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot
  • Position your containers close together for added visual impact while protecting them from cold winds

Maintain Trees and Shrubs

  • Prune your deciduous trees and shrubs before any new growth starts. Remove any dead, diseased or crossing branches to help encourage a healthy structure 
  • Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of your trees and shrubs to help retain moisture, suppress weeds and feed the soil 
  • Check branches and stems for signs of pests or diseases and treat promptly to prevent spread 
  • Support your young trees by ensuring any stakes and ties are secure but not too tight, allowing for natural movement and growth

Indoor Gardening

  • Take your green fingers indoors with an indoor gardening project. Try growing your own herbs on a sunny windowsill - basil, parsley and coriander are perfect for fresh flavours all year round 
  • Tend to your houseplants, including wiping leaves clean to remove dust and monitoring watering as central heating can dry out soil. Pay particular attention to any roots that are circling their pots or if growing has ceased; this means the plant will need to be re-potted

Check out our bestsellers

Show More Show Less