Gardening Taks for February

The secret of having a good looking garden is to do tasks at the right time. Although it can be cold and uncomfortable in the garden at this time of year your tasks for February should not be put off and you will be pleased with yourself later in the Spring knowing that getting on with those tasks for February have given the garden a good start for Spring and Summer.
Summer flowering Clematis can be pruned back hard now. They will make rapid new growth during Spring ready for a fabulous display of flowers in the summer.
Cornus (Dogwood) can be pruned back now to give it a chance to make new bright shoots to give plenty of interest next winter.

Keep deadheading Winter and Spring bedding plants such as Primulas and Pansies to prolong their flowering season.

February is a good time for moving plants and shrubs that have outgrown their position. Now is the time to divide and replant perennials, as long as the ground is not frosty.

Lily bulbs can be planted in pots now – five to a pot of the same variety will make a lovely show in the summer. Use a heavy pot, such a terracotta to give the plants that extra stability, once they are fully grown

Tasks for February in the Greenhouse
Tender plants, such as Pelargoniums and Fuchsias must be kept at above 4C (40F). Check once a week and remove any dead flowers or rotting stems. Keep the compost on the dry side and make sure that there is good air circulation around the plants. If this is a problem you might need to get a small fan heater.

Summer bedding plants can now be sown into a heated propagator, they need 21C (70F) to germinate. February is also the time to replant your Begonia tubers into fresh compost. They should now be watered and kept at a temperature of 16C (60F). Now is also the time to plant new Begonia tubers.

Kitchen Garden
Keep picking Leeks, Brussel Sprouts and Cabbages, lift Jerusalem Artichokes and Parsnips, save some of your Jerusalem Artichoke tubers to replant in Spring.

In warmer districts Broad Beans, Carrots and Parsnips can be sown under cloches. Summer Cabbage, Leeks and Onions can be sown under a warm propagator and shallots can be planted out.

Choose and buy early varieties of seed potatoes and put them in trays to let them sprout, ready for planting in March. Cover Rhubarb crowns with buckets or forcing jars. If you intend to grow Asparagus now is the time to prepare the bed and order your crowns. Bare rooted fruit trees, bushes and soft fruit canes can be planted now. Sprinkle phosphate of potash around fruit trees and shrubs.