Getting your garden sorted for spring
February is a good time to tidy up the garden ready for the start of spring. If you have a vegetable patch, clear the remains of any old crops. Also, while you can, take the opportunity to move any shrubs, which have outgrown their allotted space.
Plant Plant lily bulbs in containers for early summer flowering.
Sweet peas can still be sown under cloches or in a greenhouse.
Sow broad beans, carrots, hardy peas, summer cabbages, spinach and turnips under frames and cloches.
Shallots can be planted outside. Trim off any with long tops to prevent birds from pulling them out of the ground.
Pelargoniums and other slow growing, half-hardy annuals can be sown.
Bare rooted shrubs, trees and container grown climbers can be planted.
Plant autumn and summer fruiting raspberries.
Bare rooted fruit trees can be planted.
Plant Jerusalem artichokes.
February is also a good time to plant new hedging.
Prune
For continuous blooms regularly dead head Christmas flowering pot plants, such as azaleas and cyclamen.
Cut canes of autumn fruiting raspberries to soil level.
Prune established gooseberry bushes by cutting out any overcrowded or crossing branches.
Prune late summer and autumn flowering clematis down to 12 inches.
If you haven’t already done so, prune overgrown hardy evergreens and wisteria.
Cut out any old foliage from pampas grass.
Prune hybrid tea roses back eight inches to an outward facing bud.
Lightly trim deciduous hedging.
Prune dead fuchsia stems to encourage shoots to grow from the base.
Cut off any tatty or tired leaves from hellebores.
Other
Finish any winter digging.
Spread a thick layer of compost over flower borders, evergreens and shrubs.
When forking over or hoeing borders take care not to damage developing bulbs.
Potash fertiliser can be sprinkled around fruit bushes and strawberries.
If you have a pond with fish, ensure the water level remains above 18in.
Remove any dead leaves from around alpines because the plants will die if left damp for too long.
Check fruit or vegetables you are storing and throw out any showing signs of disease.
If you haven’t already done so, chit potatoes. They should be ready for planting next month when the sprouts are one to two inches long.
Replace any loose bricks or paving slabs.
When required, top up gravel paths.
At the end of the month if the weather is dry and the lawn is firm give it a gentle mow with the blades on the highest setting.
If the weather is dry, remember to water pots and containers, especially if they are by a wall or in a sheltered position.
Continue to harvest Brussels sprouts, leeks and sprouting broccoli.
Tie in any loose branches on conifers to prevent spreading or breakage during windy weather.
Clean, repair and restore garden furniture.
Dig up, divide and re-plant perennial plants, which have been undisturbed for a few years, as this will help encourage new growth and better blooms.
For more information about gardening in February, please call Northampton Garden Centre, which is located in Newport Pagnell Road, Northampton, on 765725 or visit www.northamptongardencentre.co.uk
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Friday 25 May 2012
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