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Topical tips for February |
On your marks... This Winter has been rather mild, encouraging a flush of new growth on most of the perennial plants. Geraniums are still evident in many gardens and continue to push bud! We really have experienced some Spring weather in Winter. Who knows what this month holds for us, but one thing to remember is to protect the new growth from severe frost by fleecing your more tender plants. Don't be caught out... |
In the Flower Garden In the colder weather, winter flowering plants bring joy and hope for the coming season. The pure white of the White Forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum), the blues of Iris reticulata; Clematis 'Freckles' are some of them; as are the delicate catkins of hazel. Then there are the scarlet and yellow stems of Dogwoods (probably Cornus alba sibirica and Cornus flaviramea respectively) grown in generous swathes by a road underpass not a million miles from here. These will have to be cut down nearly to ground level, to produce young stems that will glow again vibrantly next Winter. Crocuses, early bulbs and Hellebores are peeping through in sometimes surprising places to gladden the heart and fragrant shrubs of Viburnum, Hamamelis, Mahonia and Sarcococca fill the air with their scent. It is time to get on with pruning . Roses, Buddlejas, Willows, Cotinus and shrubs can be pruned as well as Wisteria if not done so already; clearing climbers and pruning late flowering Clematis. However, looking forward to Summer, available now are summer bulbs , Begonias, Dahlias (some dinner plate varieties),Lilies, Agapanthus, Crocosmia, stars of the summer border. Plant them in generous swathes for maximum impact. Top tip : Alliums (e.g. Gladiator, Globemaster, Gigantea) punctuate the late spring border that always draws interest. However, it is only effective if a generous clump of at least five is planted in a group. |
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Fruit trees Fruit trees will have had a good rest this winter. Complete pruning of Apple and Pear trees during mild spells. Top tip 1 : Top dress fruit trees with Sulphate of Potash this month followed by a high nitrogen feed like pelleted chicken manure next month. Top tip 2: To reduce incidence of peach leaf curl, rain splashes should be kept at a minimum. Use a preventative spray of Bayer Fruit & Veg Disease Control or Bordeaux mixture . Those with d-i-y skills can construct a polythene cage that has partially open sides for the tree. Peach or apricot trees grown in pots should be moved under cover for the same reason. These will be coming into flower later this month. Pollinate the flowers by hand using a very soft brush (like an artist's brush) transferring pollen to each individual flower. This is particularly relevant if the weather is too cold for insects to do the job. |
Grow to Eat Life is beginning to return in the allotment or vegetable plot. Construction of raised beds should be completed by this month and also digging, in anticipation of further frost this month that could happen. February is also a time to get one's plans ready for the very busy time in March, especially for the vegetable garden. With lengthening days, it will be time to make the first sowings of the season indoors. Plan to have more bee-friendly plants this year. Their population numbers have suffered recently and the success of growing one's crops depends on how well crop flowers are pollinated. Select flowers that have simple petals, like nasturtiums, foxgloves, snapdragons, and avoid highly complex flower structures like marigolds (although they do also have their uses). Where possible, have a wild corner in the allotment for wild plants to colonise. This will attract beneficial insects as well as bees. |
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Top tip 1: Check the ph level of the vegetable plot, particularly if brassicas are to be grown. These need a neutral to alkaline ph in the soil (a ph of 7 is neutral). Use Garden Lime, or Calcified Seaweed. This procedure should be done no more than once in every three years or so as a general rule. It is also the time to start sowing crops indoors , particularly tomatoes, aubergines, chillies (or peppers), and broad beans being the most usual. Try Tomato ‘Black Cherry' as it has the most of the anti-oxidant lycopene in tomatoes. Parsnips can be started with fresh seeds using root trainers suitable for sweet peas. Invest in a heated propagator that will bring the soil temperature to 18C for optimum results. Top tip 2: Seed compost should be warmed up prior to sowing by bringing it indoors. This is relevant where it has been stored in cold area like a cold shed. Top tip 3: Use only mains water when watering seeds and young seedlings. This reduces the rate of bacterial infection. Top tip 4: Prepare the area for beans with a compost pit. Dig a trench (or hole if you will be growing beans in a wigwam style) about a spit's depth. Fill with alternate layers of compostable material (e.g. kitchen waste, prunings etc.) and soil. This will provide moisture and nutrients for beans when they are planted out in April/May. Top tip 5 : Mature crowns of rhubarb can be forced this month. Use an inverted tall pot about 45 cm deep, and provide warmth like rotting manure outside the pot. Avoid forcing the same crowns for at least two years. Top tip 6: Invest in some cloches. These can be used virtually round the year, particularly in winter, to protect over-wintering crops, and in autumn for extended sowings of crops that would otherwise suffer in the cold. |
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Wildlife Continue to support the bird population with good quality high-energy food from Gardman. Fresh water daily is paramount for keeping bird feathers in tip-top condition as they fluff them up against the cold. Many of us will have noticed new species of birds visiting our bird feeding stations; redwings, fieldfares particularly, both of which are Winter visitors to our woodlands. It was hunger that drew them to our bird-feeding stations in the garden. Those of you who have bird boxes or roosting pouches in the garden might have found small birds huddling together for warmth on cold nights. The tit family and wrens often do this. February is also traditionally the time birds pair up for the season to breed (hence Valentine's Day). It is still not too late to put up nest boxes for late-comers or young birds that are perhaps in their first breeding season. |
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Indoor Plants Continue giving maximum light to all indoor plants. Clean leaves of dust and clean with Leaf Shine , but using a soft brush to clean hairy leaves (e.g. African Violets). The end of this month is a good time to examine the roots of your houseplants and repot if necessary. Orchids should be left until later. Bonsai Indoor bonsai will have been putting out long shoots of soft large leaves. It will do them good to leave these well alone, as they are looking for light. Begin the repotting process towards the end of the month. Decide whether the existing pot looks ‘right' for the tree, or you would rather have a larger tree eventually. Outdoor trees can be checked and repotted towards the end of the month. Please speak to Grace in-store, if you are unsure. Winter is by no means over this month. Many surprises in weather can still surprise us. Remember February last year? It is still too early to decide whether some tender plants have pulled through this winter, particularly those grown in pots. However, beware of late frosts or biting easterly winds following a mild period when plants tentatively put out young, fresh leaves, as these will fall victim to these sudden cold spells. Nevertheless, the days are getting noticeably longer; the sun's rays a little warmer; all in all, things are looking up! “February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March” |
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