As winter begins to loosen its grip, February is an important month for gardeners to get a head start on the growing season. With longer days and the promise of spring, there’s plenty to do to prepare your garden for the months ahead. Here are some essential gardening tasks to tackle this February.
Prepare Your Soil
Good soil preparation is key to a productive garden. Use this time to dig over borders with a robust digging spade like the Kent & Stowe Capability Digging Spade, which has a confident 20 year guarantee. You can add a good mulch or bark to improve soil structure and fertility. Remove any weeds with tools like the Oscillating Hoe, which easily severs weeds from underneath the soil surface.
Prune Trees and Shrubs
Late winter is the perfect time to prune dormant trees, shrubs, and hedges. Pruning helps to shape plants, remove dead or diseased wood, and promote vigorous growth. Focus on wisteria, fruit trees, and roses. For wisteria, cut back lateral shoots to two or three buds - read our guide. Remove any crossing or damaged branches on fruit trees to improve airflow and light penetration.
A Telescopic Tree Lopper is ideal for tall branches, while all-purpose loppers and secateurs work well for smaller stems.
Tidy Borders & Beds
Clear debris such as fallen leaves and spent plants from borders using a shrub rake. A hand fork gently loosens compacted soil, making it easier to remove weeds and debris. Removing old plant material makes room for new growth and helps maintain a tidy garden.
Start Seeds Indoors
February is a great time to start sowing seeds indoors for hardy annuals, such as sweet peas, and early vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. Starting seeds indoors gives them a head start in controlled conditions, ensuring healthy seedlings for transplanting outside. Ensure seedlings have plenty of light and warmth.
Use a dibber to make holes in seed trays or fibre pots. Transplant seedlings with a transplanting trowel or widger. Find out what seeds to sow in February.
Plant Bare Root Trees and Shrubs
Bare-root plants, including roses and fruit trees, establish well when planted in late winter. Their roots grow quickly in the cool, moist soil, giving them a strong start before active growth begins in spring.
Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly.
Protect Against Frost
Frost can threaten tender plants in February. Cover vulnerable plants with horticultural fleece or cloches and add mulch to protect roots and retain moisture.
Houseplant Care
Adjust care for your houseplants during winter. Most will require less watering, although Christmas cactus and poinsettia should be watered whenever the soil feels dry. Using a beautiful indoor watering can, available in a range of stylish colours look as good on your shelf as they do in your hands.
Move plants to brighter areas or choose low-light varieties. Dust leaves gently, protect from draughts or heating vents, and inspect regularly for pests like aphids, scale insects, thrips, and mealybugs.
Care for Wildlife
Support garden wildlife by keeping bird feeders stocked and providing water. Clean feeders regularly and consider installing nesting boxes. Bug hotels and log piles provide shelter for beneficial insects.
Maintain Your Tools
Clean, sharpen, and oil your garden tools to make tasks easier and extend tool life. Sharpening ensures cleaner cuts for plants, and removing rust prolongs durability. A Tool Sharpener keeps blades in peak condition. Read our guide for more tips.
Gifting
February is the perfect time to show your garden a little love, and the Kent & Stowe Heart Shaped Trowel is a charming yet practical tool for the job. Ideal for planting bulbs, potting up early-spring flowers, or tidying borders, its heart-shaped head isn’t just decorative; it scoops soil efficiently and accurately. Crafted from rust-resistant stainless steel with a comfortable FSC® certified ash wood handle, it delivers strength, precision, and comfort.
With its unique design and thoughtful practicality, it makes the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the gardener in your life, a keepsake that lasts longer than flowers.
