Get Ahead Of The Game: February Garden Jobs To Tackle Now

Get Ahead Of The Game: February Garden Jobs To Tackle Now

February may be a cold and bleak month, but it can also be a great time to get a jump start on your garden. Even though the ground is still mostly frozen, there are plenty of tasks you can do to make sure your garden is ready for spring.

From pruning trees and shrubs to planting bulbs, these tasks will help ensure your garden looks its best come springtime. So grab a cup of hot cocoa and let's get started!

Cut back ivy on walls before the birds start nesting. Be ruthless – it grows back amazingly quickly. 

We know you're probably sick of hearing about the dangers of ivy, but we have to say it – this stuff is no joke. If you don't cut back your ivy before the birds start nesting, you'll be in for a frustrating (and possibly hazardous) surprise.

It grows back fast, so you'll need to be ruthless if you want to keep your walls clear. And remember – never try to pull ivy off walls by hand! That can cause further damage and may even trap insects or larvae inside the plant. Instead, use a power tool or a sharp pair of pruning shears.

And if you do accidentally get some ivy on your hands, make sure to thoroughly wash them before touching anything else!

Prune greenhouse climbers. 

Prune your greenhouse climbers to promote strong growth and maintain a healthy appearance.

Greenhouses are commonly used for growing plants in controlled conditions. Greenhouse climbers are the trellis system used to support and train plants, helping them grow and flourish.

These supports can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, steel, copper, and plastic. They can be different heights, allowing for different levels of support for different types of plants. It is important to prune greenhouse climbers to promote strong growth and maintain a healthy appearance.

This may include trimming back the plant's stems and branches or removing any dead or damaged parts of the plant. By regularly pruning your greenhouse climbers, you will ensure that they stay healthy and provide optimal support for your plants' growth.

This is the month to sort out wisteria if you grow it: cut back to one or two buds from the main stem, removing whippy growth except where you need to train new leaders. 

This is the perfect time of year to take care of wisteria if you have it in your garden! Many people love the beautiful cascading effect of this vine, but unfortunately, it can also be a bit troublesome. If you're lucky, you may have one or two strong stems with a lot of growth. But in some cases, you may have a few whippy branches that need to be pruned back. So here's how to do it:

- Trim back any dead or weak branches and stems. This will help the main stem of the wisteria to be stronger and more compact.

- If needed, cut back to one or two buds from the main stem (depending on the type of wisteria and its individual needs). Do this only if necessary, as cutting too much can cause damage to the plant.

- Remove any new growth that is not needed and help train new leaders. This will help keep your wisteria looking neat and organized!

Finish planting (and, if relevant, laying) deciduous hedges and bare rooted trees and shrubs. 

In order to plant deciduous hedges and bare-root trees and shrubs, it is important to follow a few basic principles. First, select varieties that are appropriate for your climate and soil conditions.

For example, a deciduous hedge planted in a sunny location might require different varieties from one in a shade-dappled area.

Next, prepare the soil by adding organic matter and good drainage. This helps ensure that the plants can receive enough nutrients and water while still having enough space to grow.

It is also important to know when to plant the plants so that they can mature before the temperatures begin to drop.

Finally, it is helpful to regularly trim the plants so that they do not become overgrown or form unruly shrubs. By following these principles, you can successfully plant deciduous hedges and bare-root trees and shrubs!

Sow parsley if the weather is dry and not too cold. 

Sow parsley in the fall or winter, when the weather is dry and not too cold. The plant supplies essential vitamins and minerals, and its leaves are a tasty addition to dishes.

Young, tender parsley can be added to soups and stir-fries, or you can even just sauté it with some garlic and olive oil for a quick, flavorful side dish.

Don't forget to save some of the leaves in your freezer to add to pasta sauce or pesto during the summer months!

Start sowing sweet peas and half-hardy annuals inside. 

In early spring, start sowing sweet peas and half-hardy annuals inside. These plants will require less light, so they will do well in a shady location.

Be sure to provide good drainage and water regularly. Once the seedlings are established, move them to a brighter, sunny location for optimal growth. Once they have established, you can gradually transition them outside as the weather warms.

In summary, start sowing sweet peas and half-hardy annuals inside in early spring and move them to a brighter, sunny location as the weather warms. This will help ensure optimal growth and yield of these beneficial plants.

Chit seed potatoes.

Chit your seed potatoes is a technique used to ensure the best possible germination rates for your potato seeds. This involves soaking the seeds in water until they are soft, then squeezing them to remove excess moisture and allowing them to air-dry.

This step allows the seeds to form a film of moisture on their surfaces, increasing their chances of germinating. Chitting your seed potatoes is important as it helps to ensure that you have high-quality potato plants once they are grown.

Cut back late flowering clematis at the end of the month.

Late flowering clematis can be a beautiful, but tricky, plant to grow. As the months pass, some clematis may begin to flower earlier and earlier, leading to a situation where the plant is flowering at the end of the month but not at its peak.

To get your late-flowering clematis back on track, it's important to cut back the plant's growth around this time of year and encourage it to lengthen its season.

This will allow it to fully develop in the spring and summer months, producing flowers all season long. If you're having trouble getting your late-flowering clematis to flower, consider pruning or dividing it so that you can adjust the amount of light and fertilizer it receives.

By cutting back late-flowering clematis at the end of the month, you can help ensure that it's ready for bloom all season long.

February may not be the first month to come to mind when you think of gardening, but there are still plenty of tasks that can be done in the garden this time of year.

Pruning trees and shrubs, planting bulbs, and adding soil amendments are all great ways to get a jump start on your garden.

With the right preparation, you will have a beautiful garden just in time for spring! If you need help getting started or have any questions about garden maintenance, don’t hesitate to call us to arrange an estimate. We would be more than happy to help!