It’s not long until the full growing season. There’s lots to prepare in the garden in February. Below are the go-to priorities of Philip Turvil, Garden designer in Badby.
1. Grab a sponge
It’s time to clean your greenhouse and pots before growing seedlings in spring. I know, I know. It’s not the sexy end of gardening, but well worth it. Cleaning the glass will maximise light getting to young plants, while cleaning the staging/shelves will reduce overwintering pests and diseases. I use warm soapy water. Look out for the greymould in particular. It grows on plant debris, but can infect new plants. If you’re lucky, you’ll also find snails to remove (my snails hide in piles of pots).
2. Speaking of young plants
It’s time to start potatoes by ‘chitting’ so they grow quicker when planted in spring. Put your ‘seed potatoes’ in an eggbox pointing upright. Upright is the end with the most little dimples/eyes. Then leave your potatoes in a bright, cool frost-place indoors and wait for green shoots. If you want a head start on other veg, sow seeds of broad beans, pea, lettuce, summer cabbage, radish, beetroot, carrot, and onion. Start on a windowsill or outside in soil warmed up by a cloche (or in a greenhouse). Same again in March.
3. All for one, one for three.
It’s time to split up some plants to rejuvenate ready for spring or control spread. You can divide large clumps of snowdrops after flowering, for example. As well as many ‘herbaceous perennials’. These plants start each year as unassuming green shoots and then burst into colour. They include Echinacea and Delphinium.
4. Towards the end of February, it’s time to hard prune coloured-stem dogwood (Cornus).
Cornus is grown for its 4-6ft tall red or yellow stem colour in winter. But left unpruned, the colour fades and bushes get congested. For best winter colour, prune all your stems to 9-12 inches from ground level to a woodier framework. Then watch new stems grow ready for winter 2024/25. Repeat each year. Only prune established shrubs and spread compost near their base each time. You can do the same for buddleya and elder.
5. It’s snowing! It’s lovely to look at, but some shrubs get worried.
The weight of heavy snow can snap branches, especially evergreen shrubs who keep their leaves in winter. I use a broom to knock off the thickest snow, when safe of course. Go first to the least happy shrubs with dropping branches. When your garden defrosts, check that roses and other shrubs are still firmly in the soil. Newly planted trees too. Winter frosts and wind can loosen and lift plants slightly, which delays growth from broken roots and air pockets. I use my foot to firm soil.
6. Enthusiastic raspberry plants
Without maintenance, raspberry plants grow lots of tall stems all over the place with little or hard-to-access fruit. But they’re quick to control. Start by deciding what type of raspberry you’re growing.
1. Autumn-fruiting – cut all stems (canes) to ground level. Then wait for new shoots. These will grow the best fruit. Done.
2. Summer-fruiting – cut stems (canes) that fruited in 2023 to ground level. Identify these from their thicker, darker coloured stems and the remains of flower stalks. Expect to cut down about the half the plant. You’ll be left with younger stems that’ll fruit in 2024. New canes will also grow in 2024 from ground level that’ll fruit in 2025, repeating the cycle.
If your plants are new, wait a year. If your plants are old, feed with compost on the soil surface (2in. thick). If you’re plants are invading your personal space, dig out whole canes where unwanted (including the cluster of buds below the soil).
7. Finally, it’s a lovely time of year to visit gardens and parks to see (and smell…) winter plant displays.
Good gardens look great in winter, including from the house and driveway. Take along a camera or sketchbook to capture garden ideas you love.
Right, back to cleaning my greenhouse. My best wishes to you and your garden.
Philip is an award-winning horticulturalist who loves plants that make people feel good. He designs and supplies new planting displays to bring colour and convenience to any size garden. Philip has 20 years’ experience at Kew Gardens and elsewhere. He also sells plants for charity in Badby. Book your Free garden design consultation on 07701 296621 or email philip@brightenmygarden.com. Pick n’ mix your services at www.brightenmygarden.com.