What to do in the garden in February?

In February, the garden is slowly preparing to come out of its winter dormancy. The days are starting to get longer, the first blooms are appearing, and temperatures are warming up slightly, allowing gardeners to resume their activities. This month is crucial for anticipating spring: we are still protecting the plants from the last frosts, sowing the first seeds, pruning the trees and shrubs, and preparing the soil for future plantings. Here are some tips for maintaining and preparing your garden in February.

Even though spring is approaching, February can still bring morning frosts or periods of intense cold. Wintering veils and mulches installed in winter must be checked to ensure good protection. It is essential to maintain protection on the most sensitive plants, such as young shrubs or Mediterranean plants, until the risk of frost has passed. Potted plants can also be moved closer to walls or sheltered in a veranda if necessary.

The soil is slowly starting to warm up, making it a good time to prepare it for spring planting. In the vegetable garden, gardeners can aerate the soil with a digging fork, remove weeds, and add compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil. This work improves the soil structure, promoting good water retention and better aeration of the roots of future plantings. In regions where the climate is still cold, it may be useful to cover the soil with a tarp to warm it up more quickly and facilitate the first plantings.

February is a great time to start some indoor seedlings, especially for vegetables that require a long growing period, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and chillies. To do this, simply sow the seeds in seed trays or seedling pots, placed near a source of natural light or under a grow light. Seedlings should be kept at an ambient temperature of around 18 to 20°C and watered regularly to ensure good germination. This advance allows you to have vigorous plants to plant as soon as the outdoor temperatures are sufficiently mild.

February is a good month to prune pome fruit trees, such as apple and pear trees. This pruning promotes better fruiting, removes dead or diseased branches, and improves the structure of the tree for better exposure to the sun. Rose bushes, gooseberries and blackcurrants can also be pruned during this period. It is recommended to prune in dry weather, to prevent humidity from promoting the development of diseases.

February is a good time to plant spring bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, which will flower as soon as the first fine days arrive. These bulbs can be planted in the ground, or in pots for those who wish to beautify balconies and terraces. For early flowers such as pansies or primroses, which resist well to the last frosts, they can be planted now to bring color to the garden.

Finally, February is a good month to clean and tidy up outdoor spaces. It can be helpful to remove dead leaves and debris accumulated during the winter, prune branches damaged by the wind, and prepare flowerbeds. This cleanup helps prevent the spread of disease and promote healthy growth of future plantings. Gardeners can also take advantage of this time to maintain tools, ensuring they are sharp and ready for the months of work ahead.