February is often the coldest and most trying month of the year. The days can feel endlessly grey, dark, and wet, and it’s easy to think that winter will never quite loosen its grip. Gardens can look tired and lifeless, and even the most enthusiastic gardener may struggle to find much to inspire them outdoors.

Yet, despite the gloom, February often brings with it a subtle but welcome shift. Almost unnoticed at first, the earliest spring bulbs begin to push through the soil, their fresh green shoots offering a quiet promise of brighter days ahead.

Jobs to do in February include:

Ornamental Garden

•             In late February cut back hard (coppice) all the Cornus (Dogwood) to low buds.

•             If snow falls – do not let the snow sit on the shrubs, gently shake off to prevent damage.

•             Prune Roses creating an open outward facing framework.

•             Prune Clematis (late/summer flowering)

•             Shape borders to neaten edges.

•             In late February – cutback deciduous grasses

•             Remove weeds from borders as necessary.

•             Prune out dead; diseased or damaged wood from trees and shrubs.

•             Complete pruning of Apple/ fruit trees if not already done.

•             Mulch borders if not already done in Autumn – taking care of emerging bulbs.

•             Cut back Hydrangea Preziosa to first healthy buds on stems.

•             Cut back Hydrangea Annabelle to a half/third to retain a compact shape.

•             Cut back side shoots of wisteria, pruning to two to three buds.

•             Plant new climbers such as clematis / honeysuckle

•             Prune summer flowering deciduous shrubs that flower on the current years growth – eg Buddleja, lavatera etc.

•             Sow hardy annuals for summer colour.

Veg Garden:

•             Buy seed potatoes and chit tubers by placing them eye end up in trays or egg boxes in a light, cool, frost free place.

•             Sow crops like broad beans, lettuce etc and place in greenhouses or coldframes for an earlier harvest.

•             Now’s the time if you want to think about planting asparagus – keep weed free and mulch with a thick layer of organic matter.

•             Apply general fertiliser like growmore / blood fish and bone to beds.

•             Mulch tree and cane fruit after pruning.

•             Plant garlic.

•             Spray dormant fruit bushes with a plant oil based winter wash to kill overwintering eggs or aphid pests.

Alex Bell is an award winning Garden Designer based in Steyning, West Sussex. If you would like to discuss your garden project feel free to contact on the details below.