Garden notes for February 2025
As the days start to draw out, and it does not seem so gloomy the urge to get plants started is almost irresistible. Any seedbeds that have been protected under cloches or garden fleece can be started to be sown with hardy vegetables such as parsnips. You can also start to consider sowing some early cabbage and brussel sprouts. Divide and replant chives towards the end of the month.
Soil is the foundation for all plants in the garden and spending time in its preparation will bring considerable rewards. Ground that is going to be used for root crops like carrots, turnips, potato and radish should have a pH of about 7 (neutral). General fertiliser such as Growmore, or an organic alternative, should be raked in a few weeks before sowing at a rate of about 3-4 ounces per square yard.
Dahlia tubers should be started in gentle heat towards the end of the month for most of us. The keen exhibitors who want to have blooms for the Summer Show (21st August this year) may want to spend the extra time and money starting them as early as possible.
Plants to prune this month include winter flowering jasmine, and towards the end of the month all the dogwoods.
Trim back winter flowering heathers as the blooms fade, with shears to prevent them from getting overgrown and straggly. Towards the end of the month, prune buddeleia. It pays to be quite severe, cutting back all last year’s growth to just 3 or 4 buds. The result will be vigorous new stems and fine flower spikes in the summer for the butterflies to enjoy as well as you.
Now is the time to bring the stools of outdoor chrysthantemums into the greenhouse and give them a little warmth and all the light possible so that they make sturdy cuttings. Towards the middle of the month start dahlia tubers off in gentle warmth.
Do not forget your garden machinery. Look over mowers, hedge trimmers and so on. Make sure that they are ready for the onslaught when the grass and the hedges start to burst into life again. If you are like me, and not very good with machinery it is best to get them serviced by a reliable supplier. As the saying goes, ‘Look after your tools, and they will look after you’.
Most of the garden centres will be selling fuchsia cuttings, and this is a good way to get the plants you want as they can be brought on in the greenhouse without much heat, although they must be kept frost free.
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