advice for february

Spring is on the way and subtle signs are evident despite the current chill. Early bulbs are emerging and soon there will be fresh displays of colour to chase the grey of winter. Now is the time to prepare; get plans set and ensure the mower is serviced and sharp! It is well worth cleaning and sharpening all your garden tools if not done already as this is the last of the 'down time' in the gardening calendar.

Some seeds can be started already: sweet peas, tomatoes, chillies & sweet peppers all benefit from early sowings indoors. Dahlia tubers and gladioli corms can also be brought out of storage and potted-up to grow-on in warm, light locations (around 10C/50F).

You can still prune non-Prunus fruit trees as well as deciduous hedges & shrubs as needed and begin to tackle light pruning on evergreens. Leave tender evergreens and any spring-flowering ornamental species until later but consider topping-up mulch levels around plantings to suppress weeds before they even have a chance to get going.

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