With the mild weather we’ve had for much of February, the beginning of the growing season is starting early this year! Crocus are up and Cherry Blossoms already blooming, more than a month earlier than they did last year. We’ve even seen a few individual rose blooms on plants that must be quite confused! Here’s 15 key jobs we’ll be tackling in the gardens we work in this month:
- Mulch Mulch Mulch! We can’t say it enough. Mulching is perhaps one of the most important tasks to do in the garden. It not only looks good, but it provides plants necessary nutrients while also keeping weeds at bay. Make your life easier and your plants healthier by mulching now.
- Trim back Ivy on walls leaving only the flat clinging stems. We do this now, before nesting season begins.
- Rake through gravel and borders to dislodge first generation of weed seedlings. Now is the time to apply residual weed killer to patios and drives, if you use it.
- Scarify and aerate lawns: Now is the time to rake thatch out of lawns and remove moss to let the grass breathe. Because of the mild weather, the ground has warmed enough so it’s possible to overseed patchy lawns this month. Fill in any patches with fine soil, rake and scatter new grass seed to overseed and infill patchy areas.
- Moving and planting evergreens: Now is ideal time to do this before roots start really growing.
- Mop-headed Hydrangeas can have any remaining dead flower heads pruned off now. Hydrangea paniculata is different and grows this year’s flowers on last years growth, so prune last years shoots back hard to one pair of buds. Don’t forget to put mulch down around the base.
- Empty the compost bin around borders and shrubs, and at the bottom of any new planting hole. Make room for this season’s cuttings.
- Jet-spray garden patios and furniture. Spring clean and disinfect everything so it’s ready to be used in nice weather.
- Keep an eye out for any aphids on roses and fuchsias. Aphids are drawn to the soft new tips.
- Feed and fertilise plants in containers, especially box, camellias, conifers & bay.
- Plant summer-flowering bulbs and sow seeds for annuals.
- Cut down old growth left on border plants to overwinter to make way for new growth. Rake through borders to tidy up
- Get ahead by putting stakes and plant supports in before new growth starts and plants need them.
- If you grow certain plants for their colourful winter stems like Willows or Dogwoods (Cornus), now is the time to prune them back.
- Start mowing lawns more frequently. We’re going from mowing once a month to needing to mow once every 2 weeks now. Depending on the weather, by the end of the month, we’ll likely be able to lower the height on the mower and mow weekly.
If you need help tackling these, or any other task in your garden, please contact us. We’d be happy to help!