TINA WOODHAMS GARDENING NOTES FOR FEBRUARY
February heralds the magic of the snowdrop season, these are planted as bulbs in the autumn but can also be purchased ‘in the green’ for spring planting. They thrive in partly shaded spots with moist, well-drained soil making them perfect in woodland, garden borders and pots.
As spring bulbs begin to emerge, their foliage is short and prone to being trampled, particularly in grass, so mark these areas with garden canes. These can be removed at a later stage when the leaves and buds become more visible. On frosty days avoid walking on lawns as the grass is brittle and easily damaged. This in turn could lead to a fungal infection which may spread across the entire turf and deprive the grass of vital nutrients.
By the end of the month all winter pruning of apple and pear trees should be completed. Winter pruning is excellent for encouraging growth and key to maintaining the shape of the tree, which is generally open-centred for a stand- alone specimen. Always use sharp, clean tools such as secateurs, a pruning saw and long-reach pruner - much safer than trying to balance on a ladder on uneven ground!
Stone fruit trees should be pruned in late spring but early flowering crops such as apricots, peaches and nectarines will need protection from frost so cover blossom with fleece overnight and remove during the day to allow pollinators access.
In the borders, continue to clear old leaves and remove weeds – get ahead of the game! Give evergreen ornamental grasses a tidy by removing any dead material and cut back the deciduous grasses to their base to allow the new growth to show through.
Prune winter-flowering shrubs such as jasmine, forsythia and winter honeysuckle as soon as they have finished flowering. Remove any damaged, diseased or dead wood and prune the flowered growth by around half to encourage vigorous growth and improve flowering.
Prune clematis Groups 2 and 3:
Group 2 – these are the large- flowered hybrids flowering in May and June on short shoots developing from last year’s growth. Some flower again in late summer. Check individual stems from the top down until you reach a pair of healthy buds and prune just above them. The aim is to retain a framework of old wood and stimulate new shoots.
Group 3 – these are clematis that flower from mid to late summer on the current year’s growth. Prune back hard to the lowest pair of buds. If left unpruned it will result in a mass of bare wood at the base and flowers often above eyelevel or over the fence into your neighbour’s garden!
Vegetables such as tomatoes, chilli peppers, sweet peppers and aubergine may be sown in a heated propagator. Make use of your greenhouse and sow lettuce and other varieties of salad leaf under cover for an early crop, remembering to ensure that the greenhouse remains well ventilated.
February is an underrated month – but with scented flowering shrubs and climbers showing their best now and bulbs peeking out it’s a time to look ahead at what is around the corner!
HAPPY GARDENING