As the days slowly lengthen and the sun begins to peek through the winter gloom, February marks an exciting time for gardeners in the South of England. The frost may still nip at your heels, but with a little preparation and a handful of seeds, you can begin sowing the seeds for a thriving garden come spring.

In this post, we’ll cover key tasks to focus on this month, with a special emphasis on getting your vegetable patch started. From sowing early crops to essential garden maintenance, there’s plenty to keep you busy in February.

1. Start Sowing Vegetable Seeds Indoors

While the ground may still be too cold outside to plant, February is the perfect time to start sowing vegetable seeds indoors. By starting early, you can give your crops a head start and have them ready to plant outside once the weather warms up.

What to sow:

Tomatoes: These are best started indoors in late February. Use a heat mat or place them on a sunny windowsill for optimal germination.
Chillies and Peppers: These heat-loving plants thrive in warm conditions, so an indoor start will give them the warmth they need to grow.
Leeks: A long-growing crop, leeks benefit from an early start. You can sow them now in shallow trays.
Aubergines (Eggplants): Like peppers and tomatoes, aubergines need a long growing season, so it’s time to sow these indoors now.
Beans and peas: You can start some broad beans and early peas now, do check the seed packets and verify months for sowing.
Leaves: Some early lettuce, Rocket and real spinach (not perpetual spinach or leaf beet).

If you have not done so already, start planning what you want to grow and buy the seeds from reputable seed sellers. do not be afraid to have a go at growing new veg!

Also, if you have the luxury of hazel plants, Burch or other plants that can be used for staking or protection, now is your last chance to coppice these for the garden or veg garden.

2. Prepare the Soil

Even though it's still a bit chilly, it’s a good idea to start prepping your garden beds for the growing season ahead. If the weather allows, try to get out in the garden on a mild day and prepare the soil by:

Clearing Debris: Remove fallen leaves, sticks, and any old plants that didn’t survive the winter. This will help prevent pests from overwintering in the garden.
Weeding: Although weeds may not be growing vigorously, you may notice a few hardy ones making an appearance. Remove them now before they get a strong hold.
Improving the Soil: Add compost, well-rotted manure, or other organic matter to improve the structure of your soil. This will give your plants the nutrients they need for a strong growing season.
Mulching: this year has not been too bad compared to previous years weather-wise. assuming the soil is not waterlogged or frozen, now is a great time to mulch the soil with organic matter! A later blog will be made to explain why mulching is so good!

3. Pruning and Cutting Back

February is the ideal time to prune many trees and shrubs, especially those that bloom later in the year, such as buddleia, lavender, and roses. Pruning now will help encourage strong, healthy growth come spring.

Fruit Trees: If you haven’t already, this is the time to prune apple and pear trees. Cutting back dead or diseased wood will help improve airflow and overall tree health.
Summer Flowering Shrubs: Now is the time to cut back shrubs like fuchsias, lavenders, and roses. Cutting them back will encourage fresh growth and larger blooms come summer.
Ornamental grasses: many of the ornamental grasses can be cut in February and clean any old leaves by using a landscape metal rake. Grasses such as Miscanthus, Stipa, Calamagrostis and more. This should be undertaken later in the month, not at the beginning.

4. Tidy Up the Garden Shed and Tools

February is a quieter month for gardening, making it the perfect time to clean and repair your garden tools. Sharpen the edges of your spades, forks, and shears, and oil any moving parts. Taking a bit of time to get your tools ready for the season ahead can make gardening tasks much easier once you get into full swing.

5. Plant Bare-Root Roses and Fruit Trees

Bare-root planting season runs from November to March, and February is still a great time to plant bare-root roses and fruit trees. Whether you’re adding new varieties to your garden or replacing old ones, this is the ideal time to plant these in the South of England.

Roses: Bare-root roses should be planted in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Make sure to keep them well-watered until they settle in.
Fruit Trees: You can plant a variety of fruit trees in February, including apple, pear, and plum. Ensure they are planted in a sunny spot with good drainage, and mulch around the base to retain moisture.

6. Plan Your Flower Garden

If you’re eager to get a head start on your flower beds, now is the perfect time to plan ahead. You can begin ordering seeds for hardy annuals, and if you haven’t already, start thinking about what you want to plant. For example, sweet peas, sunflowers, and cosmos can all be sown later in the spring, but February is a great time to finalize your garden plans.

Planning a garden can be cheaper

Plan before being active will help you be more productive as you’ll know exactly what jobs you’d like to achieve, also can save money on plants as you’ll know the numbers you require.

7. Start Preparing for the Growing Season

This is a good time to think about any new gardening projects you want to tackle in the spring. Whether it’s adding a new vegetable patch, constructing raised beds, or installing a greenhouse, use the quieter days of February to plan, research, and get ready for the busy season ahead.

Final Thoughts

While February might still feel like winter in the South of England, it’s a month full of potential for gardeners. Whether you’re sowing seeds indoors or tidying up the garden, getting started now can give you a head start on a productive growing season. So, grab your gardening gloves, your seed packets, and start planting—before you know it, your garden will be bursting with life!

By focusing on these tasks now, you'll not only ensure a beautiful and productive garden but also experience the joys of a well-maintained and thriving vegetable patch. Happy gardening!

February Gardening in the South of England: Get a Jumpstart on Your Veggie Patch!