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FEBRUARY IN THE GARDEN In a hard winter February is often the coldest month of the year, the old adage is:- As the days grow longer the cold gets stronger. Preparation of the ground for spring planting can be carried out whenever weather permits, remember do not dig in frosted soil as this will keep the ground cold. The greatest use should be made of any available glass cover, making sure that the glass is clean so that it admits the maximum light. Glass cover will not keep out frost but in most years it affords reasonable protection against the night cold. It can also be placed over fallow soil to assist in warming up of the earth so that planting can take place a week or two earlier. If you have taken over a new garden have a lime test and soil analysis made. There are test kits available in garden centres. The kit will show what is deficient in the way of nitrogen, phosphate potash or lime and what is necessary to correct the shortage to ensure a good crop. Plant parsnips, broad beans and peas (in pots) towards the end of the month. If you have a heated greenhouse tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers can be started. Buy seed potatoes as soon as possible, arrange in one layer in shallow boxes with the ‘eyes’ uppermost, place in a light frost free place to chit. Carrots such as Early Nantes can be sown under glass and will be ready by June. Sweet Peas:- Sow seeds outdoors in their flowering position. Plant shallots, garlic and onion sets if not done already. Prepare beds for asparagus by digging in well rotted manure ready for planting in March. Plant parsley if weather not too cold, it likes a damp shady position. Also propagate mint by separating rooted runners from the parent plant and planting in a rich moist soil. Prepare the herb garden, herbs grow best in warm still air so chose a sheltered spot. For an early strawberry crop, in the second half of the month, place cloches over plants to encourage bloom. Fruit trees and bushes can be planted if soil conditions are favourable, i.e. not frosted or water logged. Continue pruning, if not carried out in the autumn, of soft fruit bushes and shrubs before they burst into growth. Towards the end of the month is the ideal time to cut back overgrown hedges so that they produce new growth during the spring. If cut back earlier the new shoots may be killed by frost, if later the dormant buds on the older growth may fail to produce new growth. Cut the top growth 1 ft lower than the height ultimately required so that the new growth will hide the old skeleton. Towards the end of the month aerate and scarify lawns, apply lawn feed and moss killer as required. Clear dead foliage from herbaceous borders and fork in a top dressing of hoof and horn or similar fertiliser, high in phosphates but low in nitrogen. Destroy slugs and snails before they destroy your hard work!! Scatter a weather resistant brand around plants on open ground or cover to protect from rain.

January in the Garden ..........Happy New Year !!!

This month :- After the Christmas festivities preparation for next year is probably behind schedule, try to finish digging your plots to benefit from the frost which helps to break up the soil and kills off some of the bugs, remember not to dig in frosted soil or snow which will keep soil cold come warmer weather. Annual weeds can be dug in as green manure, do not compost the roots of couch grass, bind weed, horse tail, ground elder, stinging nettles or the tap roots of dandelions or docks but burn when the weather is favourable. Little else can be done in the garden this month except minimise effects of the bad weather. There are things to do when it’s too cold to be outside, plan your planting scheme, buy seeds, wash plastic seed trays and flower pots ready for spring sowing, clean the greenhouse or cold frame, service the lawn mower etc.

Fruit :- If not already carried out, complete pruning of fruit bushes and trees whilst they are dormant. Check that wind has not loosened plants, if so, firm the soil and stake. Plant rhubarb roots in well manured soil, set roots so that their tops are about 1 inch below soil level, cover with a layer of compost or manure. Do not crop newly planted roots in the first year, let plant become established. For established roots sprinkle Sulphate of Ammonia at 2 oz per sq.yd. around the crowns, this helps induce early growth. To encourage earlier growth and obtain pink stems cover plants with a light proof receptacle, (old dustbin etc).

Beans :- Plant broad beans, if not done already, for an early crop ‘Aquadulce or The Sutton’. Also start off some peas in pots, use a round seeded variety such as ‘Feltham First’, ‘Meteor’, ‘Superb’, or ‘Kelvdon Wonder’’ ready to plant out at the end of February, again for an early crop. If not already planted on the traditional day, December 21st, plant Shallots, use a dibber to set the bulbs so that only their tips show above ground. Clear all dead tops of non shrubby plants from borders and lightly fork over the soil between the plants and apply a little general fertilizer.

General :- Check for water logging on lawns, if apparent, spike the surface and apply coarse sand to aid drainage, Keep feeding the birds and ensure that they have access to water in frosty weather. Clean out nesting boxes, birds start looking for nesting sites early in the year.