Tim's Gardening Tips

February in the Garden

Flower garden

• Cut down ornamental grasses and other perennials left for winter interest.
• Cut off and compost old leaves of hellebores to expose the flowers and fresh foliage.
• Lift and divide clumps of herbaceous perennials if they have become too large.
• Finish planting lily bulbs.
• Weed borders and apply mulch such as manure compost or bark chippings.

Roses, shrubs, hedges & climbers

• Plant deciduous shrubs and hedging plants, but avoid doing when the ground is waterlogged or frozen.
• Prune climbing and bush roses.
• Cut back late summer and autumn flowering clematis to the lowest pair of strong buds.
• Prune Wisteria to form flowering spurs by cutting back the side shoots shortened by summer pruning to two or three buds.
• Feed and mulch shrubs, roses, hedges and climbers after pruning.

Trees

• Check tree ties and stakes and adjust if required.
• Plant deciduous trees and stake, but avoid doing when the ground is waterlogged or frozen.
• Brush any snowfall off the branches of conifers and other evergreen trees to prevent damage.

Lawns & meadows

• Remove molehills as they appear.
• Brush off worm casts with a stiff broom on a dry day.
• Re-cut lawn edges if required.
• If possible, avoid walking on lawns in frosty weather.

Ponds & water features

• Prevent ponds from freezing over completely by placing a ball or float on the surface.

Wildlife

• Clean out birdbaths and keep free of ice.
• Replenish birdfeeders regularly. Use a variety of different bird foods to attract a wider range of birds.
• Put up nesting boxes for birds.

Out and About

• Visit the RHS London Show on 12-13 February 2008. The theme is Signs of Spring.