🌱 February Gardening Jobs: Preparing for Spring 🌷

With spring just around the corner, now’s a great time to get your garden in shape! 🌱 A little prep now—pruning, tidying, and even weeding—will set things up nicely for the season ahead. Here are some key jobs to tackle this month! 💪🍃

Feeding birds in winter is important, but be prepared for some sneaky, uninvited guests! 😳

Here are some key jobs to focus on this month:

1. ✂️ Prune Shrubs and Trees

   Cut back late-flowering shrubs like buddleia, fuchsia, and hydrangeas to encourage fresh growth. 🌿

   Prune wisteria, removing side shoots to two or three buds to maintain shape. 🌳

   Trim deciduous hedges before birds start nesting. 🐦

2. 🌱 Start Seed Sowing

   Begin sowing hardy annuals like sweet peas indoors. 🌾

   Start chillies, tomatoes, and aubergines in a heated propagator. 🍅🌶

   If soil conditions allow, sow broad beans and early peas outside. 🌱

3. 🏡 Care for Lawns

   Avoid walking on frozen or waterlogged grass. ❄️

   Rake away leaves and debris to prevent moss buildup. 🍂

   Edge borders for a neat appearance ahead of spring growth. 🌿

4. 🌾 Tidy Beds and Borders

   Cut back dead foliage from perennials to make way for new shoots. 🌿

   Mulch around plants with well-rotted compost to enrich the soil. 🌱

   Lift and divide congested clumps of snowdrops after flowering. 🌨

   
   

5. 🦜 Encourage Wildlife

   Put up nest boxes for birds ahead of breeding season. 🐦

   Keep bird feeders topped up and provide fresh water. 💧

   Leave areas of leaf litter for hibernating insects. 🍃🐞

6. 🧹 Weeding in Winter? Absolutely! ❄️🌱

Yes, winter can be a great time for weeding! Here’s why:

1️⃣ Easier Removal – Wet soil makes it easier to pull weeds out, roots and all, compared to dry, compacted summer soil. 🌧️

2️⃣ Less Competition – With slower plant growth in low light, weeds are less likely to spread quickly if removed early. 🌙

3️⃣ Prevents Spring Surges – Removing weeds before they set seed or establish deep roots stops them from taking over in spring. 🌸

While growth is slower in winter, some perennial weeds like dandelions and creeping buttercup keep growing in mild spells. Tackling them now saves work later and helps set your garden up for a healthier, tidier spring! 🌿✨

By ticking off these tasks, you’ll give your garden the best possible start for the season ahead. Need a helping hand? Get in touch with Sanctuary Gardening Services for expert advice and maintenance. 🌱