Jobs for February
Posted: Thursday 15th February 2024
In the greenhouse:
• Inspect plants on a regular basis to remove any fallen and rotting leaves. Watering should be kept to a minimum but can be increased as the days start to get warmer. On warm days open the greenhouse door to help with ventilation.
• If you have a greenhouse/a heated propagator you can sow Geraniums (Pelargoniums), Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Sweet Peppers
• If you haven’t already, it is also a good time to sow Sweet Peas, either in root trainers or deep pots and order small plug plants to grow on during Spring.
• Wash pots and seed trays to remove any dirt and disease before the gardening season starts properly!
In the garden:
• If you haven’t already, start thinking about what you are going to grow next year. You can find some good seed companies online and, if you prefer, you can order and then read their seed catalogues at your leisure.
• Look out for bare rooted plants – available from local nurseries or online; they are generally cheaper than pot grown ones. Ensure they are planted quickly in pots/ in the garden otherwise the roots may dry out completely and, before planting, soak the roots in water beforehand.
• After all the rain in December and January it is best to keep off lawns if they are still wet; walking on them will do more harm than good.
• Try to avoid walking on the soil in the borders but if you do need to try and work on planks/wood to disperse your weight; then fork over the ground afterwards.
• Hybrid & Floribunda Roses can be pruned later in the month.
• It’s also time to prune Wisteria – if you’re lucky enough to have any – and Dogwoods.
• The leaves of Hellebores should be carefully cut off at the base (avoiding the flowering stems). Not only do you get a better view of the flowers but it stops any disease in the leaves from spreading and killing the plant.
• While it’s quiet, why not clean your tools and tidy your sheds?!