Jobs in the home and garden during February

 

Feed

• Due to the longer days, houseplants may start growing again. You can begin feeding them again, but use a dilute 50% fertiliser mix until the growth is well established.

Fertilise

• Mid-to-late February is the time to fertilise shrubs and evergreens.

Plant 

• Plant seeds in pots on window sills to get some early growth started
• Plant evergreens like ivy and laurel. It’s also the last chance to trim established ivy
• Asparagus, artichokes, horseradish and rhubarb can be planted this month
• Strawberries can be planted as soon as they become available
• Plant anemonies, gladioli, ranuculus and tiger lilies 
• Sow sweet peas and other seeds if you have heating in your greenhouse.

Prune

• Prune trees such as willow, fruit and roses if necessary
• Prune summer flowering shrubs if there is no sign of budding on the plants, if you do prune when the plant has begun to bud then it will result in a lower flower count
• Trim back any branches that were damaged by the winter weather
• Grapes must be pruned by Valentine’s Day to prevent sap ‘bleeding’
• Divide clumps of perennials
• Cut back winter flowering shrubs as they finish flowering.

Transplant

• Some shrubs and trees are still dormant enough to transplant this month, however the tell-tale sign that it’s too late is if the buds have begun to swell
• Ensure all plants in the garden are stable and haven’t come loose in the frosts and bad weather. If needs be re-plant, however don’t do this if it is particularly cold.