Even though it feels like we’re in the dead of winter and the cold nights seem like they’ll be here for quite while longer, signs of spring are starting to emerge if you know where to look. Snowdrops usually peak in the beginning of the month. Daffodils are starting to show up and Camellias will usually start to pop open mid-month. Before you know it — in just a matter of weeks really — the busy start of the growing season will be upon us! So now is the time to tackle any remaining care and maintenance and replanting tasks in the garden, as well as finalising 2019 garden plans and ordering seeds from seed catalogs. These are the top 10 tasks we’ll be working on in February in the gardens we work in:
1). Mulching: Mulching is one of the single best things you can do to improve and support your garden plants. Now is the time of year to put it down. Do it and watch your plants thrive this year while also keeping weeds at bay.
2). Transplant any plants/trees/shrubs that have outgrown their current position. With most plants in their dormant stage for another 4-6 weeks, now is the time to dig up and move any plants to a more suitable spot.
3). Plant new shrubs and trees. Now is a great time of year to get new shrubs and plants in the ground while they are dormant and before the roots start growing again.
4). Check and repair irrigation systems: We often overlook our irrigation systems, but they do require regular maintenance. Just like all other elements in our yard, over time environmental factors and regular wear and tear causes damage so it’s good to have your system checked and any problems fixed now before the plants and lawn need it.
5). Winter Prune Wisteria: Following on from Autumn prune, now is the time to cut back to 2 or 3 buds from the base. Check all ties and wires that are supporting the wisteria and repair/replace where needed.
6). Winter-Prune Roses: It’s advisable to prune roses in late winter/early spring (generally between Feb-March), when first growth is just beginning so you can identify the less healthy stems to prune out. Remove any dead, dying, diseased or damaged stems and remove any crossing stems.
7). Service Lawn Mowers and Check your Garden Equipment: At this time of year, you usually don’t need to use your lawn mower so it’s a good time of year to have it cleaned and serviced and to clean and sharpen your other garden equipment. Frost is your lawn’s main enemy at this time of year, so make sure you don’t walk on frosty grass or you’ll be left with your foot prints etched into the lawn.
8). Clear out storage shed, especially chemicals, and clean green houses: Have a rummage through your garden storage and/or greenhouse and clean, tidy and reorganise it. Repair/sharpen any garden tools and get rid of anything you haven’t used in a season or two. It’s especially good to dispose of any chemicals that are more than 6 months old, but make sure you dispose of them as directed: in a environmentally-friendly way. Now is an ideal time for cleaning, before spring sowing, as this will remove over-wintering pests and diseases.
9). Make sure to support local wildlife: This time of year birds, pollinators and other wildlife struggle. Leave some food and water out for birds and leave a few dead plants over winter — hidden in a corner if you don’t like the sight — as they provide sheltered spots for hibernating ladybirds and other creatures.
10). Prune Overgrown Hedges: Most deciduous hedges and topiary will benefit from being hard pruned and shaped this month. Remember that plants that require hard pruning (like hydrangeas, clematis, hedges and topiary) can also benefit from generous feeding from mulch and/or slow-release fertiliser.
If you need help with any of the above in your garden, contact us and we can take care of your garden maintenance tasks for you!