February feels like a real turning point in the garden, says Adam Kirtland. The days are getting longer, temperatures are creeping up and you can spot bulbs starting to poke through the soil
There’s a sense that spring is just around the corner, with wildlife waking up and the garden slowly coming back to life. It might still be chilly but there’s plenty to get stuck into, both indoors and outside. From sowing seeds to tidying up beds, this is the perfect time to shake off the winter and get everything ready for a blooming, busy season ahead.
Get Prepared
Getting organised with your seeds now will save you heaps of stress later. Start by sorting your seed packets by sowing date – it’s a simple but brilliant way to kick off your gardening year. All you need is a box with dividers (an old shoebox or biscuit tin works perfectly). Label each section by month, then file your seeds according to when they need to be sown. It’s an easy, satisfying job for a rainy afternoon and it makes such a difference when things get hectic in spring.
When March, April, or May rolls around, you’ll be so glad you don’t have to rummage through piles of packets, frantically searching for what needs planting next. Everything will be ready and waiting, making it much easier to stay on top of your gardening schedule. It’s practical, it’s satisfying and it gives you a head start for a successful growing season!
Split and Share
Dividing snowdrops after they’ve finished flowering is a brilliant way to spread the magic around your garden. If you’ve got big clumps of these lovely little flowers, it’s time to give them a bit of attention. Once the blooms have faded, gently lift the clump with a garden fork, being careful not to damage the bulbs. Separate the bulbs into smaller groups—try to keep a few together to help them settle quickly—and then replant them wherever you’d like to see a new patch of snowdrops pop up next year.
Choose spots with dappled shade or under trees where they’ll feel right at home. Water them in well, and before you know it, they’ll establish themselves and start creating new colonies, giving you even more of those delicate white blooms to enjoy. It’s a little effort now for a big payoff next spring – your future self will thank you!
Pots of Winter Joy
Give your garden or patio a splash of colour by potting up containers with hardy spring bedding plants. Primroses, wallflowers and forget-me-nots are perfect choices – they’re tough enough to handle unpredictable spring weather while still looking gorgeous. Start with a decent-sized pot and some good-quality compost, then get planting.
You can mix and match colours for a cheerful, vibrant display or stick to a simple colour scheme for something more refined. These plants love a bit of sunlight but don’t mind partial shade, so they’ll work in most spots. Once they’re in, give them a good water to help them settle and keep the compost moist – but not soggy – over the coming weeks. The great thing about spring bedding is how instantly it transforms a space. Whether it’s a dull doorstep or an empty balcony, these hardy plants bring life and brightness just when we all need it most!
Start your Spuds
Get a head start on your spuds by chitting first-early potato tubers – it’s an easy job that pays off with earlier, healthier crops. A great variety to try is Rocket, known for its reliable harvests and delicious flavour. To chit your potatoes, stand the tubers in trays or empty egg cartons with the ‘rose’ end (the one with the most eyes) facing up.
Pop them somewhere bright, cool, and frost-free, like a windowsill in a shed or porch, and let nature do its thing. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see sturdy little shoots forming, which gives your potatoes a proper head start once they’re planted out. I aim to chit them for about six weeks so they’re ready to go in the ground as soon as the risk of frost has passed. It’s a simple step that makes all the difference, especially when you’re after those early, buttery new potatoes!