February Gardening Tips 2025
The days are definitely getting longer and we are inching towards spring which is a cause of celebration. In addition, glorious pots of daffodils and primroses are arriving in our plant areas and, inside the shop, I can see seed potatoes and packs of summer flowering bulbs. So, the start of the gardening season is nearly upon us.

This means it is a good time to start to think about propagation, planning which flower and vegetable seeds to buy, stocking up on seed compost and propagation equipment. Do find the time to clean out heated and unheated propagators and any pots and trays you intend to reuse. This is so important to prevent the spread of pests and disease, particularly damping off, which can affect seedlings.

If you are buying seed potatoes remember to ‘chit’ them in advance of planting later in the spring. This means placing them in a light, cool place with the eyes to the top and allowing them to chit or sprout until the shoots are about 2cm. Always use seed potatoes which have been specially grown and are certified disease-free rather than using some old spuds from the vegetable rack.

Borders and the veg patch will benefit from a good mulch of homemade compost or well-rotted manure. This organic matter will help water retention, provide nutrients and really set the soil up for the growing season. Use boards if you need to do much work that involves standing on wet soil or grass to minimise soil compaction. Autumn fruiting raspberries are in need of a chop now. Cut back to a few inches above the soil and mulch. It is also a good time to plant new raspberry canes.

February is a good time to trim deciduous hedges before nesting season begins. If you grow wisteria, this is the time to give it a prune by shortening shoots to two or three buds, about 10cm. Prune again in July or August. By the end of the month or early in March, it will be time to prune the roses. For all roses, take out dead and any diseased wood. Then, for shrub roses, cut stems back by a third to a half. For Floribundas (multi-flowered heads) and Hybrid Teas (single-flowered heads), take them down to no more than 30cm above the soil.

It can still be very cold at night. Some horticultural fleece will act as a nice cosy blanket for susceptible plants if it looks like being particularly chilly. Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Camellias all sport swelling flower buds at this time of year and these merit some protection on really cold nights. Our feathered friends will also benefit from full bird feeders and clean water before the weather warms up and food sources increase.

At Squire’s I am particularly looking forward to the launch of our new “Plant Discoveries” range from next week onwards. With a new range each month we shall be showcasing varieties within specific plant genera that work really well in the garden. Amongst them are some real hidden gems as well as some RHS “Award Of Garden Merit” plants, all grown on our own nurseries. I have had a sneak preview of some of the Sarcococca we shall be featuring this month, and the scent is simply spellbinding.

Our Festival of Primroses also returns across our centres from 17 February, to give a real spring splash of colour. I think they work particularly well in a pot by the front door as a lovely floral welcome.

As the month progresses more and more colour will be found in our gardens and public spaces with crocus and daffodils and later tulips in abundance. I wish you a bright and beautiful February.
