GARDENING NOTES FOR FEBRUARY
Trees and Shrubs :
Continue to plant bare root trees and shrubs. Not only is it a good time to
plant while they are dormant but bare root specimens will be very much cheaper than those of
a containerised nature or container grown. Always remember to plant no deeper than the soil
mark on the stem. Jasmine nudiflorum should be pruned as soon as the majority of the
flowers have faded by pruning back all the stems to two buds, around 2ins, from the main
stem. This will produce many more shoots and flowers for next season. Any deciduous
hedges can be pruned now to tidy up or if overgrown and can be cut back by as much as half
now. Towards the end of February late flowering Clematis can be pruned by cutting back all
last year’s growth to a few inches from soil level, about 6ins I would suggest.
Flowers:
Lift up clumps of Snowdrops and re-plant singly or in very small groups elsewhere
but it is important to plant at the same level they were in in their old home. Sow hardy
annual seed into cell trays if you have a greenhouse. Be careful not to cover the seed too
deeply, just press the seed lightly into the surface and only cover with a small amount of
compost. All seed packets should give you the information for each kind of seed and
remember that some seeds need light for successful germination. Keep a careful watch for
any planted containers becoming waterlogged at this time of year and if noticed immediately
unblock the drainage holes and lift the container off the ground by placing battens or stones
underneath.
Vegetables :
If you have a greenhouse and a heated propagator Tomatoes can be sown at the
end of February to give an early crop. Again, undercover, but not in a propagator, Broad
Beans, Brussels Sprouts and Shallots can be started off. Outside where you intend to sow
your vegetables, now is a good time to cover the area with a black polythene sheet held down
with clips or bricks. This will warm up the soil underneath ready for sowing when weather
conditions are favourable in March.
Fruit :
If you grow some of the now widely available Citrus species they can be pruned now
by cutting back any leggy shoots to form more bushy growth. Also cut away any weak or
spent growth to tidy up. If your plant has been in its pot for a number of years, either pot on
into a larger pot or remove the top 2 ins of soil and top dress with new compost. Remember
always use a specific citrus compost for potting on or top dressing.