February Gardening Tips and Snips
Climbers
Plant climbers now to provide colour, height and interest for clothing walls, fences, arches and arbours. As well as for screening compost heaps and other unsightly objects. Fast growing plants like clematis, ivy, honeysuckle, Virginia creeper and roses are perfect choices. If your soil is too wet and sticky, wait until conditions improve before planting.
Weeds
Keep those annoying weeds at bay and you will enjoy your gardening a lot more. Small weeds are best dealt with by hoeing them off. Beds and borders can be kept weed free by applying a 2-3inch thick mulch; and weed suppressing planting membranes ensure the perfect start to new beds and borders.
Annuals
Now’s a good time to make a start on sowing summer bedding indoors, as long as you can provide the right heat and light conditions. You can sow sweet peas, dianthus, lobelia, ageratum and bedding geraniums. Don’t forget to pick up everything you’ll need such as propagators, compost, pots, seed trays and labels.
Check Garden Structures
Now’s the perfect time to check your fences, trellis’ and pergolas before climbers burst into growth and make the job more tricky. You can make any repairs or improvements as necessary as well as install any new features you want for the coming year. Just ask a member of staff for details of what we have in-stock.
Pruning
Now’s the time to prune a number of garden shrubs. These include winter jasmine after the flowers have faded, bush and climbing roses, many summer flowering shrubs and most clematis; apart from the spring flowering Montanas, alpinas and macropetalas. After pruning feed with a controlled release or slow-acting fertiliser to ensure healthy regrowth and more flowers. Don’t forget to pick up any tools you’ll need such as secateurs, pruning saws, loppers and gloves. If you need more information, just ask any of our friendly, knowledgeable staff.
