1. Summer bearing blackberries and raspberries, should have all their canes, which produced fruit last year, removed.
2. If you have not done so already, start chitting your seed potatoes, in a cool, dry frost free space.
3. The following veggies can be sown under glass. In colder areas probably later in the month, Broad beans, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, celeriac, leeks, lettuce, marrows, onions, peas, peppers, radish, tomatoes, turnips and pumpkins.
4. Rhubarb crowns can be lifted and divided in February as well as "forcing" plants which are not being divided, to produce earlier sweet young stems.
5. Your brassicas growing area may well benefit later from doing a pH check now. The pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5. with 6.5 to 7.0 being the ideal range. If lime needs to be added (to reduce the soils acidity and raise its pH) add it now, to allow it to be worked into the soil before sowing/planting takes place later.
6. Try some new veggies for 2015 - Mistletoe & Snowdrop (kalettes), Royal Snow (pea), Jersey Boy (tomato), Speckled pup (Winter squash), Feo de Rio Gordo (tomato).
7. Weed out any remaining annual weeds from your planting areas and help to warm the ground by placing cloches or ground cover over the areas prior to commencing sowing/planting. Preparing planting areas of ground can take place this month by rotavating or digging, if the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
8. Check any shrubs or trees that have been planted over the Winter, ensuring they haven't been lifted by frost or loosened by the wind. Heel any loose specimens back into place and add stakes if necessary.
9. Many gardeners will be browsing through seed catalogues at present and ordering seeds/plants. Don't forget to order plant food, compost, fertilizers and other gardening commodities that will keep plants in top condition, ensuring that the hard preparation and planting/sowing work is not wasted.
10.
2. If you have not done so already, start chitting your seed potatoes, in a cool, dry frost free space.
3. The following veggies can be sown under glass. In colder areas probably later in the month, Broad beans, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, celeriac, leeks, lettuce, marrows, onions, peas, peppers, radish, tomatoes, turnips and pumpkins.
4. Rhubarb crowns can be lifted and divided in February as well as "forcing" plants which are not being divided, to produce earlier sweet young stems.
5. Your brassicas growing area may well benefit later from doing a pH check now. The pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5. with 6.5 to 7.0 being the ideal range. If lime needs to be added (to reduce the soils acidity and raise its pH) add it now, to allow it to be worked into the soil before sowing/planting takes place later.
6. Try some new veggies for 2015 - Mistletoe & Snowdrop (kalettes), Royal Snow (pea), Jersey Boy (tomato), Speckled pup (Winter squash), Feo de Rio Gordo (tomato).
7. Weed out any remaining annual weeds from your planting areas and help to warm the ground by placing cloches or ground cover over the areas prior to commencing sowing/planting. Preparing planting areas of ground can take place this month by rotavating or digging, if the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
8. Check any shrubs or trees that have been planted over the Winter, ensuring they haven't been lifted by frost or loosened by the wind. Heel any loose specimens back into place and add stakes if necessary.
9. Many gardeners will be browsing through seed catalogues at present and ordering seeds/plants. Don't forget to order plant food, compost, fertilizers and other gardening commodities that will keep plants in top condition, ensuring that the hard preparation and planting/sowing work is not wasted.
10.
SOWING/PLANTING IN FEBRUARY
1. Sow winter greens (under cloches or tunnels).
2. Sow round seeded peas (probably best in pots or trays).
3. Sow tomatoes seeds early Feb (heated greenhouse) late Feb (unheated greenhouse).
4. Depending on conditions, sow broad beans, early peas for harvesting in May/June.
5. Parsnips can be sown in Feb but sowing in March may give better germination.
6. Try planting shallots under cloches.
7. Lettuce, radish and rocket can be started early under cloches or in the greenhouse.
8. Spinach, turnips and Summer cabbages can be sown under cover.
9. Sow onion seeds indoors (15degC).
10. Cane fruits can still be planted in Feb.
1. Sow winter greens (under cloches or tunnels).
2. Sow round seeded peas (probably best in pots or trays).
3. Sow tomatoes seeds early Feb (heated greenhouse) late Feb (unheated greenhouse).
4. Depending on conditions, sow broad beans, early peas for harvesting in May/June.
5. Parsnips can be sown in Feb but sowing in March may give better germination.
6. Try planting shallots under cloches.
7. Lettuce, radish and rocket can be started early under cloches or in the greenhouse.
8. Spinach, turnips and Summer cabbages can be sown under cover.
9. Sow onion seeds indoors (15degC).
10. Cane fruits can still be planted in Feb.
OTHER JOBS TO DO IN FEBRUARY
1. Cover over unused areas of the plot with cloches or black plastic sheeting to warm the soil earlier.
2. Clean out pots and trays.
3. Repair or replace any broken/damaged tools.
4. Feed the birds.
1. Cover over unused areas of the plot with cloches or black plastic sheeting to warm the soil earlier.
2. Clean out pots and trays.
3. Repair or replace any broken/damaged tools.
4. Feed the birds.
We always try something new each year - it keeps the interest alive doesn't it? Some intriguing names on your list.
ReplyDeleteI was impressed with some pictures of the squash Speckled pup that I saw recently. Kalettes seem to be the latest "in thing" although I think I will stay with Brussels tops this year as I'm not keen on Kale.
DeleteWhen you are a gardener there is always something to do! It's a wonder anyone can do it as a hobby - it's more like a full-time job!
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising how many different tasks there are running a garden or allotment. I've taken a break since the end of November this Winter. Just got down to the plots this afternoon, a month after my last visit.
DeleteThere are lots of works to be done. So various vegetables and fruits on your list.
ReplyDeleteSpring is just around the corner, hopefully. The various vegetables on my list should be the early ones to start off with this time of the year, depending on the weather of course.
DeleteThanks for the motivation .... off to the greenhouse now! : )
ReplyDeleteI expect it will be slightly warmer in the greenhouse than outside at the moment. Made a visit to my plots today for the first time in a month. The bonus is my back garden is looking tidier than it has for a few years despite the frosts.
Delete