Time to get out in the garden this weekend

Our gardening experts say if you’re making a ‘to do’ list for February here are a few things to pop on it:

• The vegetable garden should get its first tilling, subject to the weather
• Turn the compost heap
• Aerate and rake lawns
• Book your lawnmower in for a service ahead of what could be a busy spring
• If you live in the South or South West your lawn may have already started growing so could receive its first cut this month if the ground’s not too wet
• Remove dead or dried leaves from houseplants
• Get prepared for your busy period by cleaning and repairing equipment
• Oil and sharpen tools
• Sweep paths and treat with a moss killer if needed
• If we do end up with some exceptionally cold weather during the coming weeks then it’s very important to keep early flowering or tender plants protected by covering them. Remove the covering as soon as the weather begins to improve again.

As a last note, during February the wildlife really starts to stir again from the cold dormant winter months. Birds are getting ready for spring and defend their territory so the feeding tables will remain very busy and it’s important to keep them stocked up. It’s also a good time to see birds such as geese heading north for their summer feeding grounds.

Take a look in the pond, as you’re likely to see frogs, toads and newts begin to wake up from hibernation.