February 2012

We’re beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel with regard to the winter; daylight hours are beginnging to get longer and we have more jobs to do in the garden.

• Prune roses and clematis
• Mulch round established plants
• Pick off dying flowers from winter bedding
• Start to sow summer bedding in a heated greenhouse
• Split overcrowded snowdrops and plant new bulbs
• Plant lily bulbs in pots
• Start to sow vegetable seeds unders cloches and in propagators.

Topical Tips

Flower Garden

If you have clematis you can start pruning depending on the type.  Clematis fall into one of three basic categories – early-flowered such as Montana’s, early large-flowered hybrids and those flowering after midsummer.  The ones that need pruning now fall into the last two groups, so check first which varieties you’ve got!  For the last group, the late-flowerers, it’s very easy – cut them down to six to eight inches above soil level, cutting just above a bud if you can.  Don’t prune spring flowering clematis or you’ll get no flowers!  After pruning feed with your favourite plant food like Growmore fish, blood and bone.  The early large-flowered varieties are a bit more tricky.  You need to cut back healthy stems to just above a strong pair of leaf buds.  Don’t cut right back or you won’t get the early flowers at all.

Clumps or a carpet of snowdrops looks very attractive but if they are getting overcrowded you can split clumps by digging them up and gently teasing the bulbs apart.  Replant in groups of five using a handful of peat mulch and mix in the planting hole.

Don’t forget to mulch your established boreders and if you have winter heathers lightly trim them back after flowering.

Going Green

Its time to start thinking of sowing some early salad crops such as lettuce and radishes, these can be sown safely under cover or under cloches, use our Levington peat free compost to get a truly organic result.

Keep saving your used egg shells for use as an environmentally friendly way of deterring snail and slug damage to plants in the summer months.

Don’t forget to put all kitchen waste, such as potato peelings and onion skins, onto the compost heap.

Roses

If you have roses they can be pruned now.  Shurb roses don’t need much trimming, but you can be quite severe with hybrid teas abd floribundas.  First cut away all dead wood, and then cut out crowded or crossing stems.  Finally cut back the remaining stems by about half. Aim to cut to just above an outward facing bud and this will help to make the bush grow outwards.  After pruning use Miracle Gro rose feed.

Lawncare

We have had plenty of rain over the last few months so if your lawn is a bit soggy, pierce it all over with a garden fork at six-inch intervals to help drainage.

Do not be tempted to feed lawns too soon as this can accelerate growth too early which may cause problems if severe weather returns before the end of the winter.

The Greenhouse

If you have a heated propagator you can make the first sowings of summer bedding now.  Those needing an early start include petunias, geraniums, Busy Lizzies and nicotianas.  Use Levington seed cmpost or a multi-purpose compost.

If you plan to grow tomatoes they can also be sown this month.

Towards the end of February start pelargonium’s into growth by watering gently.  Once growth starts, cut back the plant and repot in fresh multi purpose compost.

Fuchsias can also be started.  Cut them back to about six inches, repot in multi-purpose compost then water gently.

Containers

Keep picking off the dead heads from winter pansies and primroses to keep them looking good.

Replace any plants such as Cyclamen which may have been damaged in the winter months, plants such as Primrose and potted bulbs are great for filling in the gaps.

Vegetable Garden

It may be February bu the vegetable garden needs your attention.  You can sow broad beans, early carrots and parsnips under cloches right now.  But sow summer cabbages, onions, leeks and peas in a warm propagator.

Herb Garden

To be assured of a succession of fresh parsley for the kitchen sow small quantities of parsley seed in a seed tray. then sow more every four weeks until the autumn.  To help the seeds germinate, soak them in warm water for several hours, then dry them before sowing in your favourite Levington seed compost.

Fresh young herb plants are generally available towards the end of this month for planting out but place them in a protected area until the risk of severe weather has passed.

Fruit Garden

If your fruit trees have had a lot of problems with pests and diseases it’s worth trying a spray of tar oil winter wash over the trunk and branches.  Always follow the instructions carefully and for obvious reasons be sure not to spray on a windy day, if you do the treatment will be ineffective and a waste of money.

Houseplants

All houseplants should be watered sparingly in the winter months and do not be tempted to feed your houseplants yet.  Only start to feed them when they show signs of new growth or when fresh flower buds appear.