February Garden Notes

By now, we can all see the positive signs of the growing season ahead. While February can see some crisp and cold days, surely we are now due plenty of sunshine and less rainfall? By the end of the month, we will be enjoying nearly 3 hours more of daylight hours than the shortest day in December. No wonder both flora and fauna are waking up for the season ahead.

Wildlife still benefits from a helping hand in February. Encourage birds by regularly topping up bird feeders -and keeping them clean. Provide water, especially in freezing weather. Try putting a couple of small rocks or pebbles in the water to make it easier for birds to drink without getting wet. It’s also a great time to put up a nest box – there are different boxes available to encourage different birds.

If you are planning to grow potatoes this year, choose and buy your seed potatoes now to enable them to chit before planting. Summer-flowering bulbs should also be started off now: dahlias are ever-popular and for very good reason. Their late summer colours make an equally excellent display in a flower garden or as cut flowers in a vase. Lilies are also a stunning scented addition both inside and out.

Continue preparing for the season ahead by repairing any hard landscaping before other tasks loom large in the spring. Check fencing is secure after the winter storms, and tree stakes may need to be replaced or hammered back in to moist soils.

We have had some hard frosts in January. There could be more to come, so keep an eye on any tender plants that need to stay outside and refleece where necessary. Don’t forget that greenhouses should be aired on sunny days to help to prevent mildew and damping off of young plants.

David Hogg

Buckland Nurseries