Mzz B’s February Garden

Winter is still very much with us- those cold winds tell us!

What have you got in your garden that is in flower at the moment? There are lots of early spring bulbs and shrubs which can light up a dark winter day. It is the time for snowdrops, winter aconites, crocuses, and hellebores, early daffodils are in bud, winter flowering viburnum bodnatense, camellias in sheltered places. All indications that spring is around the corner but not here yet!

Soil is one of the most important elements in your garden, research has shown that there are 1 billion microbes in a teaspoon of soil. Microbes recycle most major nutrients required for plant productivity. They protect plants from disease and are intimately associated with plant growth and productivity.. So, producing your own compost and leaf mould, and adding those to your borders and beds each year will protect that valuable resource.
Think about a no dig veg garden to preserve those microbes, and plan your garden with this in mind.
Whilst you are hunkering down out of the wind, plan what else you can do to encourage a wildlife friendly garden. Pollinator friendly plants and flowers are just as important or even more so than wild flower meadows in providing homes for insects and invertebrates. Reducing or stopping your use of pesticides and herbicides is another huge factor in having a nature friendly garden.

Jobs for February

• Start tidying up the borders that you have left for the wildlife- cut back the old stems , weed , and mulch. Leaved some of the cut stems on the border if you can, to continue to provide a bug home.

• Leave cutting down ornamental grasses until they start into new growth.

• Sow sweet peas and broad beans in a cold frame or cold greenhouse.

• Tomatoes and chillies need a heated propagator but are good to sow now to ensure a long growing season,

• Finish pruning roses, wisteria and fruit trees.

• Large late flowered clematis should be cut back to 15-30 cms now. Make sure you do not prune early flowering clematis like montanas – you risk cutting of the flowering stems. These need tidying up after flowering.

Think about a no dig veg garden to preserve those microbes, and plan your garden with this in mind. Also whilst you are hunkering down out of the wind, plan what else you can do to encourage a wildlife friendly garden. Pollinator friendly plants and flowers are just as important or even more so than wild flower meadows in providing homes for insects and invertebrates. Reducing or stopping your use of pesticides and herbicides is also another huge factor in having a nature friendly garden.

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