Things to do in your February garden

 

 

February can be a changeable month and although it is often cold, hopefully we will also get some winter sunshine that allows us to be able to get out and work in the garden .

Snowdrops are at their best in February and when allowed to naturalise in borders they make a lovely display. It’s only when you get down to the flowers that you fully appreciate the markings on the petals and the delicate honey fragrance.

Now is the time to prune back the tall woody stems of autumn fruiting raspberries such as ‘Joan J’ and ‘Autumn Bliss’. Pruning is very simple and everything is cut down to as close to soil level as possible. This hard pruning promotes new shoots in spring which will bear fruit from late August until the first frosts of autumn.

In the vegetable garden carry on digging empty plots to prepare the soil for spring planting and sowing. Garden compost can also be spread over the surface to improve the soil.

One of our toughest and tastiest winter vegetables is the humble leek that is perfectly happy out in the garden through the cold weather. Ideally they should be lifted fresh from the garden as you need them for the kitchen.

Begonia tubers can be started into growth now in a light, frost-free greenhouse or windowsill. Pot the tubers just below the surface with the hollow facing upwards and keep the compost just moist. Dormant buds on top of the tuber should start to develop in a few weeks. If you want to see some really stunning begonia blooms then you need to visit the Southport Flower Show in August where there is always a fantastic display.

As the soil gradually warms up it is a good time to plant herbaceous perennials and shrubs in the garden so that they have time to establish a good root system before summer.