FEBRUARY GARDENING JOBS

February is a month of anticipation. It might not always feel like it, but spring is just around the corner and your garden should be getting ready to leap into life. This period of calm before your plants start to do their thing is ideal for getting odd jobs done around the garden. Here are a few of the most important tasks to get completed this month.

Apply Organic Fertilizer

 Now is a good time to apply show-release organic fertilizers, such as Blood Meal, Fish Emulsion, and Bone Meal. These fertilizers release their nutrients slowly and gradually, so applying it now will mean the nutrients will be available to plants just as they begin to start into growth.

Place Bird Houses & Nesting Boxes

  If you are hoping to attract breeding birds into your garden, invest in nesting boxes and get them placed this month. Don't be disappointed if birds don't use the boxes straight away; they will need to become accustomed to the box's presence before making it their home.

 Keep Bird Feeders Well Stocked

 With few leaves on the trees, few insects, and the ground still frozen, February is a hungry month for bird life. Ensure bird feeders are well-stocked with nuts, seeds, and fat balls to minimize the risk of birds feasting on buds and bulbs.

 Start Dahlia Tubers

  If you have stored dahlia tubers over the winter, now is the time to start them into life. Fill a shallow tray with compost, set the tubers on top, and place in good light. Spray them every now and again with clean water to encourage the production of buds.

 Prune Late-Flowering Clematis

 Toward the end of the month, you can prune late-flowering ("group 3") varieties of clematis. It is important to prune clematis at the correct time of year, so some research will be required if you are unsure of the variety in your garden.

The old growth can be rather brittle, so pruning should be carried out carefully, especially when pulling away the old growth. Stems should be cut down to 20 to 45 cm from the ground, cutting each stem just above a healthy bud. After pruning, apply an organic fertilizer to give the plant the nutrients it needs to produce those spectacular flowers. Finally, mulch with organic matter or place a large stone at the base of the plant; clematis like their heads in the sun but their feet in the shade.

  Top-Dress Containers

  If you have shrubs which live permanently in pots, they will benefit from a few extra nutrients once a year. Remove the top few centimeters of compost, then add fresh potting compost fortified with slow-release fertilizer. This will feed the plants for several months, saving you the job of feeding them every week or month through the spring and summer.

Divide & Plant Snowdrops

 If you are lucky enough to have these pretty little flowers adorning your garden, now is a good time to divide large clumps into smaller groups of bulbs. Use a trowel to lift the clump, then simply tear apart using your hands. Replant in groups of six to eight bulbs for a simple way of increasing your stock of snowdrops. This can be done when the plants are in leaf or even in flower, with no damage to the plant.

 Even though spring officially starts next month, this is a notoriously unsettled time of year, and it is important to not get lulled into a false sense of security if you are blessed with a period of mild weather. Keep an eye on the forecast and ensure stakes remain secure, and keep tender plants wrapped in their fleecy protection. Perhaps the best job of all this month is to sit back and watch as the days brighten, temperatures rise, and your garden comes to life.