What You Should Be Doing in the Garden in February to Get Ready for Spring

February is a quiet yet crucial month in the garden. While the chill lingers and the days are still short, this is the perfect time to prepare your outdoor space for the vibrant burst of spring. With a little care and attention now, your garden will reward you with lush growth and colourful blooms in the coming months. I’ve found that a few simple tasks in February can make all the difference, especially here in Cheshire where the climate gently nudges us towards early spring gardening.

Preparing Your Soil for a Healthy Start

One of the most important things to do in February is to focus on your soil. Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. I like to start by clearing any debris, fallen leaves, or dead plants from flower beds and vegetable patches. This helps prevent pests and diseases from taking hold.

Next, I turn the soil gently with a fork or spade, being careful not to disturb the structure too much. This aerates the soil and encourages beneficial organisms to flourish. If your soil is heavy clay or compacted, adding organic matter like well-rotted compost or garden manure can improve drainage and nutrient content.

Finally, I test the soil pH if I haven’t done so recently. Most plants prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0 to 7.0). If needed, I add lime to raise the pH or sulphur to lower it, following the product instructions carefully.

Actionable tips:

• Clear beds of debris and old plant material.

• Lightly fork over soil to aerate.

• Add organic matter to improve texture.

• Test and adjust soil pH as necessary.

  
  

Preparing garden soil in February

Preparing garden soil in February sets the stage for healthy plant growth.

Pruning and Caring for Trees and Shrubs

February is an excellent time to prune many trees and shrubs before they break dormancy. Pruning encourages healthy growth, improves shape, and removes any dead or diseased wood. I always start by inspecting each plant carefully.

For deciduous trees and shrubs, I remove any crossing branches or those growing inward. This opens up the canopy to light and air, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Fruit trees especially benefit from careful pruning to improve fruit quality and yield.

Evergreens generally require less pruning, but I do trim any wayward branches to maintain a neat shape. Avoid heavy pruning of spring-flowering shrubs now, as you might cut off flower buds. Instead, prune these after they have finished blooming.

Actionable tips:

• Prune deciduous trees and shrubs to remove dead or crossing branches.

• Shape evergreens with light trimming.

• Delay pruning spring-flowering shrubs until after bloom.

• Use clean, sharp tools to make clean cuts.

  
  

Pruning fruit trees in late winter

Pruning fruit trees in late winter encourages healthy growth and better fruit production.

Starting Seeds Indoors for Early Success

If you want a head start on your vegetable or flower garden, February is the time to sow seeds indoors. I find this especially rewarding because it gives me a jump on the growing season and ensures strong, healthy seedlings.

Choose seeds that benefit from early sowing, such as tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, and some hardy annual flowers. Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good-quality seed compost. Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged, and place the trays in a warm, bright spot.

Once seedlings appear, I make sure they get plenty of light to prevent them from becoming leggy. A south-facing window or a grow light works well. When the seedlings develop their first true leaves, I transplant them into larger pots to encourage strong root growth.

Actionable tips:

• Select seeds suitable for early indoor sowing.

• Use quality seed compost and keep it moist.

• Provide warmth and light for germination and growth.

• Transplant seedlings when they develop true leaves.

  
  

Planning Your Garden Layout and Planting Schedule

February is also a wonderful time to plan your garden for the year ahead. I like to take stock of what worked well last year and what I want to change. This includes deciding where to plant new flowers, vegetables, or shrubs.

Sketching a simple garden layout helps me visualise spacing and companion planting. For example, planting marigolds near tomatoes can help deter pests naturally. I also check seed catalogues and garden centres for new varieties to try.

Creating a planting schedule is a great way to stay organised. Note the best times to sow seeds, plant out seedlings, and transplant hardy plants. This keeps the garden on track and ensures you don’t miss important windows for planting.

Actionable tips:

• Review last year’s garden successes and challenges.

• Sketch a garden layout considering plant needs and spacing.

• Research new plant varieties to try.

• Create a planting calendar to stay organised.

  
  

Caring for Lawns and Preparing Borders

Your lawn and borders also benefit from some attention in February. If the weather is mild and the ground is not frozen, I like to clear any moss or thatch from the lawn using a rake. This helps the grass breathe and prepares it for spring growth.

Borders can be tidied by removing weeds and cutting back any perennials that died back over winter. Adding a layer of mulch helps protect roots and suppress weeds as the soil warms.

If you have bare patches in your lawn, February is a good time to repair them. Loosen the soil, add some topsoil if needed, and sow grass seed suitable for your region. Keep the area moist until the new grass establishes.

Actionable tips:

• Rake moss and thatch from the lawn if conditions allow.

• Remove weeds and dead plant material from borders.

• Apply mulch to protect the soil and suppress weeds.

• Repair bare lawn patches with seed and topsoil.

  
  

Embracing the Joy of Early Spring Gardening

February may seem quiet, but it’s a month full of promise. By preparing your soil, pruning carefully, starting seeds indoors, planning your garden layout, and caring for your lawn and borders, you set yourself up for a flourishing spring.

Gardening is a journey, and these early steps are the foundation of a beautiful, functional outdoor retreat. With patience and care, your garden will soon burst into life, rewarding you with colour, fragrance, and the satisfaction of nurturing nature.

If you want expert advice, send us a message and let us know how we can help.

Happy gardening!