February Gardening Tips

1. Tidy up for new growth

Clear winter debris and fallen leaves from the soil to allow in light and air.

2. Feed the soil

A good mulch with bark, home made compost or well rotted manure will help lock in moisture and supress weeds as well as adding important organic matter.

3. Care for your tools

Clean, sharpen and oil tools to keep them working well, in good condition and promote plant hygiene.

4. Plant for structure & year-round interest

If the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, plant trees, shrubs, fruit bushes and hardy plants. Dig a good size hole using the plant pot as a guide, add some compost in the bottom of the hole with a little slow release plant food and Root Grow (mycorrhizal fungi), which helps establish a good root system.

Take the plant out of the pot and pop it into the planting hole and replace the soil around it to the same depth that the plant was in its pot.

5. Plant for instant colour

For an instant splash of spring colour in pots and borders plant primroses, pansies and violas.

6. Grow your own potatoes at home

Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned grow-your-own fan, potatoes are an easy and rewarding crop to try. Start by choosing the right variety for how you like to cook – some are best for roasting, others for mashing or baking.
Chitting your seed potatoes before planting can help improve yields. Place them in a cool, light spot (an egg carton works well) and allow shoots to grow to around 1–2cm. This is best done from late January or around six weeks before planting.
If space is limited, potato grow bags are a great option for patios, balconies and smaller gardens. When planting outdoors, always wait until the risk of frost has passed, as seed potatoes are sensitive to cold conditions.