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Each month, I’ll be sharing some specific gardening tasks you can tackle to keep your garden on track. This guide will focus on kitchen gardening, but if you’re looking for tips on ornamental gardening, the BBC Gardeners' World offers fantastic checklists! And if you missed the January gardening guide, don’t worry! You can catch up on it here. It’s not too late to dive into many of the tasks on that list, so be sure to check it out! Here is your Monthly Gardening Guide - February Jobs.
As we move through February, many of us are eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring. While it may still be chilly outside, this month offers a fantastic opportunity for gardeners to get a head start on the growing season. From chitting your early potatoes to starting seeds indoors, there are plenty of gardening jobs to tackle that will set you up for success. In this post, we’ll dive into the essential tasks you can focus on this February, ensuring that your garden is ready to thrive when warmer weather arrives. Let’s dig in!
Grow Spring Onions Indoors
Plant Bare-root Plants
Chit Early Potatoes
Wash the Greenhouse and Windows for Maximum Light
Remove Dead and Yellowing Leaves from Over-wintering Plants
Minimize Slug and Snail populations!
Sow Some Seeds!
(Click any of the above and it will take you directly to the section you want to see!)
1 . Grow Spring Onions Indoors
If you follow me on social media, you might have seen my recent post about trying to grow spring onions indoors after spotting a clever hack video on TikTok. I wanted to include this in my January list, but I hadn’t tested it yet and was unsure if it would work. Well, the results are in—it absolutely works!
All you need are some store-bought or home-grown spring onions, a small tub, and a bit of water. That’s it!
Use the spring onions in your recipes or sandwiches, but be sure to keep the bottom part of the white bulb. Place it root side down in a small tub, glass, or pot filled with shallow water, and set it on a sunny, warm windowsill. I have mine in the kitchen for easy harvesting.
Make sure to change the water if it gets murky, and keep only the root section submerged to prevent the bulb from becoming waterlogged and mushy—if that happens, it’ll need to be tossed out.
Within a month, you’ll see roots growing and green leaves shooting up. I’ve had mine going for about 32 days now, and I’m excited to make my first harvest! Just cut one or two leaves at a time so it can keep growing and provide a continuous supply. If you have multiple on the go, you’ll always have fresh spring onion greens at your fingertips.
It’s easy, cheap, and provides fresh food—yes, please! This is definitely something I’ll be doing all year round.
2 . Plant Bare Root Plants
Now is the perfect time to plant bare-root plants.
Bare-root plants are nursery-grown plants that are sold without any soil around their roots. They are typically harvested while dormant, which means they are not actively growing, and their roots are cleaned of soil before being packaged for sale. This method of selling plants is common for many types of trees, shrubs, and perennials.
When I moved into my new home in April 2023, I decided to transform the front drive into a kitchen garden instead of using it for parking. The space was often blocked by parked cars, and my van was too long for it. I wanted to encourage wildlife, so I planted a hedge around the area. With help from friends and family, I dug a trench, ordered young yearling hedging plants, and got started. Within a couple of months, the hedge was in place, and I covered the area with wood chips to reduce weeds and keep it tidy.
Now, two years later, the hedge is thriving, despite some patches being a bit bare. I've filled in the empty spaces with pre-rooted plants from sales, and the overall look is great. The bird life in the garden has significantly increased, and I look forward to the added privacy the hedge will provide once it becomes fuller and bushier, though it may take a couple more years to get there!
I chose a wildlife specific bundle of hedges such as Hawthorn, Dog Rose, Hazel, Elder and Alder. I also have a Pussy-Willow, Firethorn an Field Maple in the mix too.
Bare root plants are often a cost-effective choice for gardeners, as they are typically less expensive than potted plants due to reduced packaging and transport requirements. They are also easier to handle since they are lighter without soil, making the planting process more convenient. When planted properly during their dormant phase, bare-root plants can establish themselves quickly. The best time for planting is in late winter to early spring when the ground is workable but before the plants break dormancy. To ensure healthy growth, it is important to soak the roots in water before planting and to plant them at the proper depth. Don't forget to keep the space weed-free for the first year at least, and feed your hedging properly. A regular watering schedule is important for dry spells too, try to water the plants at least twice a week with a thorough soaking.
3 . Chit Early Potatoes
Nope, it's not too early to chit early variety potatoes! Start chitting them now, and they'll be ready to plant by early March.
Chitting is the process of encouraging seed potatoes to sprout shoots before planting them in the soil. This gives the potatoes a head start, allowing them to develop strong sprouts that can lead to earlier harvests and quicker growth. In turn, this helps reduce the risk of the potatoes rotting before the plants become established.
To chit potatoes, begin by selecting healthy, certified disease-free seed potatoes and finding a cool, well-lit area for them, such as a windowsill or a bright, unheated room—just be sure to avoid direct sunlight to prevent them from drying out.
Position the potatoes with the "rose" end (the end with the most eyes) facing upwards, using trays, egg cartons, or shallow boxes to keep them stable and prevent contact with each other. Over the course of 4 to 6 weeks, the potatoes will develop small green shoots, ideally about 1 to 2 inches long. Once the shoots have formed, you can plant the chitted potatoes in the garden or in containers, typically around March or April, depending on local frost dates.
You can chit potatoes purchased from the supermarket or those you harvested last year, but there are a few important considerations to keep in mind. Supermarket potatoes are often treated with sprout inhibitors to prolong shelf life, which can hinder their ability to chit effectively. If you choose to use them, look for organic or untreated potatoes, as they’re less likely to have these chemicals. I often use potatoes that start to sprout in the cupboard and try chitting them to see if it works. There’s no loss if they don’t sprout, but if they do, I get a potato to plant and grow more from.
Keep in mind that the results may not be as reliable as with certified seed potatoes, which are specifically bred for planting and have a lower chance of disease.
While cutting sprouts from potatoes to create multiple plants from one potato is generally not recommended, I had great success with it during my first year of gardening. Maybe I’ll encounter challenges down the line, but I plan to keep trying until I do! If you do decide to cut the potato, allow the cut surfaces to dry and callus before planting to reduce the risk of rot and disease.
4 . Wash greenhouse and windows for maximum light
Most living organisms require light to survive and thrive, and plants are no exception. Sunlight is essential for plants, as it enables them to perform photosynthesis, a vital process that converts light energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil, utilizing sunlight to transform these substances into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. The glucose produced serves as an energy source, fueling the plant's growth, development, and various physiological functions. Meanwhile, the oxygen generated is released back into the atmosphere, providing a crucial benefit to other living organisms, including humans.
Both indoor and outdoor plants rely on light for their health, but they can face challenges during the shorter days of fall and winter when sunlight is less abundant and the sun sets earlier, often before 5 PM. To maximize the light available to your plants, it's important to maintain clean windows in your home and greenhouse. Dirty windows can significantly reduce the amount of natural light that penetrates, even in plastic greenhouses or budget-friendly options from retailers like Amazon.
Regularly cleaning your greenhouse and windows not only enhances their clarity but also allows more light to reach your plants, promoting healthier growth. In addition to cleaning, consider positioning your plants where they can receive the most sunlight throughout the day and using reflective materials to amplify light exposure. By optimizing light conditions, you can help your plants thrive even during the less sunny months of the year.
5 . Remove dead and yellowing leaves from over-wintering plants
Head out into the garden and take a close look at the plants that still have foliage, such as various herbs, strawberries, and other perennials. Inspect the leaves for any signs of distress, such as yellowing, browning, or dead foliage. If you notice any unhealthy leaves, it's beneficial to remove them using scissors, secateurs, or simply pinching them off, depending on the thickness of the stems. Be cautious during this process to avoid damaging the main plant.
It's best to perform this maintenance on a dry day, as this allows the plant time to heal from the wounds created by leaf removal, thereby reducing the risk of disease. By cutting away unhealthy leaves, you can enhance airflow throughout the plant, which can help decrease the likelihood of diseases and pests taking hold. Additionally, decaying leaves can attract slugs and snails, which may further harm your plants.
Regularly tending to your garden not only promotes the health of individual plants but also contributes to the overall vitality of your garden ecosystem. By practising good garden hygiene, you can create a thriving environment for your plants, encouraging healthy growth and productivity.
6 . Slug and Snail Removal from Hiding Spots!
I consider myself fairly lucky when it comes to pests in my garden. Don’t get me wrong; I do encounter my fair share of caterpillars and aphids, but compared to many gardeners I know, I seem to avoid the worst.
But oh, the slugs. I’m pretty sure I have the entire population of slugs in my village visiting my garden on a nightly basis.
They are everywhere! I can’t even step out into my back garden without narrowly missing one. Sometimes, they aren’t lucky enough to avoid being stepped on, and I gag at the sound and feel of a squished slug underfoot— bleh!
Last year, I found a good brand of slug pellets at my local garden centre; it’s an all-natural product that reduced their numbers, but they were still rampant in the garden. I also tried more gentle methods, like spraying essential oils, but nothing seemed to keep them at bay.
Then I discovered the slug trap. As an animal lover, I know that slugs and snails have their place in our ecosystem, and it goes against everything in me to trap them. Still, I can’t stand losing another plant to these pests. They even devoured the potatoes I had in containers last year!
I found that using cheap beer in a tub in the garden works wonders. I set it out in the evening and came to collect it in the morning to find a tub full of slugs—literally. It’s disgusting on many levels, but it actually works! The slugs are attracted to the smell of the beer, slide in, and can’t get back out.
If this method isn’t for you, or if you want to double your efforts, you can go out in the evening or after some rain and hunt for them in the soil, under pots, rocks, planks of wood, and bags of soil. Anywhere that is dark and moist is likely to harbour them.
Once you’ve gathered the slugs and snails using your chosen method, you can either relocate those that survived the beer trap or feed them to your chickens or a neighbour’s chickens. They love the extra protein, and it’s great for their health!
Just be careful when using slug pellets! Even though many harmful products are no longer available, always check that the ingredients are safe to use around food, pets, and children.
7 . Sow some seeds!
I have been itching to get into the greenhouse and plant some seeds, and finally, I can. We all can! Yes, it's still early, and we have frosts to consider, but some seeds can be sown now to ensure a long growing season. For example, Cress and Mustard leaves are fantastic choices that can thrive in a warm, sunny window, allowing you to enjoy your first harvest in just a few weeks.
Tomatoes and Chili peppers can also be sown at this time. While these plants thrive best in a heated propagator, they can still be nurtured in a sunny window or greenhouse, giving you a head start on your summer garden.
Additionally, there are other lovely plants that can be sown now, such as Cosmos and Nasturtiums. Both of these not only beautify the garden but also smell amazing and attract beneficial wildlife. Nasturtiums, in particular, are excellent companion plants, as they help deter many pests. However, keep in mind that they can be quite vigorous and may try to take over your garden space, so it's wise to keep an eye on their growth!
February isn't the busiest of months in the garden, that's for sure, but following these guides and pacing yourself to tackle tasks throughout the year can reduce your stress levels and maximize your time and efficiency when the growing season arrives. By taking care of jobs that don’t need to be done during the warmer months, you’ll set yourself up for success. There’s always a reason to get some dirt under your nails, no matter the time of year.
There’s plenty to keep you occupied, from sowing seeds and cleaning the windows and greenhouse to maximize sunlight, to staying on top of the slug and snail populations. Each of these tasks contributes to a healthier and more productive garden come spring and summer. So, grab your gloves and coat, embrace the winter chill, and get out there!
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See you soon!
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