What to do in the garden in February
February is the month to cut back last year's perennials and grasses, prune late-flowering clematis and roses, mulch borders and start sowing under cover. The days are getting noticeably longer, snowdrops are at their best, and the garden is beginning to stir. Here are the jobs that will get you off to a flying start.
Cut back perennials and grasses
The seedheads and stems that gave you so much structure over winter can come down now, from late February into early March, before fresh growth gets going. Cut perennials close to the ground, taking care not to damage new shoots at the base. Sanguisorba, one of my favourite plant families, is a good example: its stems stand well all winter and are ready to be cut back now, making way for fresh leaves. My Sanguisorba plant of the month post has more on growing them.
Deciduous grasses such as miscanthus, molinia and calamagrostis can be cut down to a few centimetres above the ground. Evergreen and semi-evergreen grasses, such as Stipa tenuissima and carex, need a gentler approach: simply comb through them with gloved fingers or a rake to pull out the dead material.
Chop the stems into short lengths and add them to the compost heap, or leave a small pile tucked out of sight for insects that may still be emerging.
Mulch your borders
Once the borders are cleared, spread a generous layer of mulch, around 5 to 7cm deep, over moist soil. Garden compost, well-rotted manure, leaf mould or a peat-free soil conditioner all work well. Mulch locks in moisture, suppresses weeds and feeds soil life, and it makes the whole garden look instantly cared for. Keep it a little away from the stems of shrubs and trees.
Prune clematis and roses
Late-flowering clematis
Clematis that flower from midsummer onwards on new growth, such as Clematis viticella and its many lovely cultivars, can be cut back hard now. Prune each stem to just above a strong pair of buds, about 30cm from the ground. They will reward you with masses of fresh stems and flowers.
Roses
Late February into March is a good time to prune bush and shrub roses. Remove dead, damaged and crossing stems, then shorten the remaining growth to an outward-facing bud. Climbing roses benefit from having their flowering side shoots shortened and their main stems tied in as horizontally as possible, which encourages more flowers.
Finish hedge cutting
If any deciduous hedges need a trim or renovation, get it done this month. Birds start looking for nesting sites from March, and it is best to avoid cutting hedges through the nesting season, which runs roughly from March to August.
Start sowing under cover
With longer days, you can sow sweet peas, chillies, peppers, aubergines and early tomatoes in a heated propagator or on a warm, bright windowsill. Broad beans can be sown in deep modules in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. Use a peat-free seed compost, and turn pots on windowsills every day or two so seedlings grow straight.
Keep chitting seed potatoes in a cool, light place, ready for planting in spring.
February checklist
Cut back perennials and deciduous grasses before new growth starts.
Comb through evergreen grasses.
Mulch borders over moist soil.
Prune late-flowering clematis to around 30cm.
Prune bush and shrub roses, and tie in climbers.
Finish any hedge cutting before nesting season.
Sow sweet peas, chillies, peppers and early tomatoes under cover.
Plant or divide snowdrops after flowering.
Keep chitting seed potatoes.
Enjoy and spread snowdrops
Snowdrops establish best when planted or moved "in the green", just after flowering while the leaves are still fresh. If you have clumps that have become congested, lift them carefully, gently tease them into smaller groups and replant at the same depth. It is a simple way to spread them through the garden, and you can buy them in the green from late February too. Winter aconites can be moved in the same way, and both look lovely naturalised under deciduous trees and shrubs.
Last month's January garden jobs covered planning and winter pruning, and next month my March garden jobs move on to sowing, planting and dividing in earnest.
Quick answers
When should I cut back ornamental grasses?
Cut deciduous grasses such as miscanthus and molinia down in late February or early March, before new shoots appear. Evergreen grasses just need combing through to remove dead leaves.
Which clematis do I prune in February?
Late-flowering clematis that bloom from midsummer on new growth, such as Clematis viticella types. Cut them back to a strong pair of buds about 30cm above the ground.
Can I cut my hedge in February?
Yes, February is a good time to finish hedge trimming. From March birds start nesting, so it is best to leave hedges alone until late summer.
