Everyone knows that February is the month of love so what better time is there for putting some love and care into your garden? Although the weather might be colder at this time of year, there are many ways you can get the most out of your crops in February.
However, every seed has its unique requirements for climate, feeding, and soil but also the time of year plays a factor in deciding what to plant and where. If you’re reading this then you are interested in growing during February and thankfully, you’ve clicked on the right article.
Keep reading to find out more!
Basics of Growing in Winter
As February is in the winter season then there are a few basics of winter gardening that you need to be aware of before you pick out your seeds…
Firstly, you need to consider the temperatures. Growing in February is a whole other experience than planting crops in spring or autumn. One of the biggest problems that you might encounter is frost.
Even if your crops are cold-tolerant plants that doesn’t mean that frost won’t affect them. You need to be careful about frost as it could limit the growing period of your crops. That’s when equipment like cold frames come in useful for protecting your plants against the elements.
Alternatively, you can also use a greenhouse for growing vegetables and flowers in February. But, how can you build a greenhouse?
Building a Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a common method for winter growing as it allows you to monitor the temperature and prevents weather damage to your crops. Building a greenhouse is a fantastic activity for the cold months and can be used for future use once it’s built.
Did you know that you can build a greenhouse yourself? Of course, you can always hire a professional but there are some simple, budget-friendly ways to create a greenhouse for your garden.
Here are the steps to building a greenhouse:
- Choose the right location
- Buy materials for the frame
- Pick a cover that is weather-resistant
- Start building
- Place heaters and fans inside the greenhouse
You’ll have to spend some horse planning the dimensions, doing research on materials, and picking the right location but once you have everything prepared you can start planting vegetables and flowers in your new greenhouse!
What to Grow in February
If you decide to grow your crops in a greenhouse or enclosed in a cold frame then you need to make sure you pick sturdy seeds.
1. Potatoes
Potatoes are one of the best vegetables to grow in February. Not only can they withstand the cold temperatures, but they provide excellent nutrition when the temperatures drop. Therefore, they are an ideal vegetable for families looking to become self-sufficient.
You can either grow potatoes in a greenhouse or there’s also an option of growing potatoes in large pots. No matter what way you decide to grow this vegetable you’ll have to use a mixture of soil and compost.
It’s important to keep an eye on temperatures as potatoes can be damaged by frost so make sure you have heating systems in place before you begin planting.
2. Winter Lettuce
Another plant to grow in February is winter lettuce such as little gem, rocket, and lamb’s lettuce. You can grow these varieties of lettuce successfully in greenhouses with regulated temperatures and they can grow quite fast once planted.
Therefore, you can start enjoying some fresh salad in no time!
3. Spinach and Kale
There’s nothing like a delicious serving of warm kale or spinach on a cold winter’s night. The good news is, you can grow kale in February. They can survive colder temperatures with the right protection so you can have an unlimited supply of both leaft greens if you’d like.
4. Cabbage, Broccoli, and Brussel Sprouts
February is also a great time for growing cabbage, broccoli, and brussel sprouts. Ideally, you want to start growing these vegetables at the very beginning of the month so they can be ready to harvest in mid spring.
5. Ornamentals
When it comes to growing colourful flowers to decorate your landscape and garden then there are a few options to choose from. Of course, at this time of year, you only have a small selection but you can create some beautiful patches of colour with these ornamentals:
- Geraniums
- Impatiens
- Petunias
- Salvia
- Caladiums
- Ferns
- Poinsettias
- Chrysanthemums
- Pansies
- Coleus
- Gazanias
You can easily plant any of these seeds during winter so pick your favourite and give it a go!
Sprinkle Some Love Into Your Garden in February
Some people are overwhelmed with the idea of growing plants and other crops in winter but there are many ways to keep the magic alive during the cold season and enjoy gardening at this time of year.
Get To Know Evergreens
Winter is a lovely time for evergreens to grow in your garden. There are several types of evergreens available that you can grow in your back garden. You can even purchase your own growing kits online to help you navigate a new plant and seed.
That way, you can watch your new plant grow over time and experiment with something new in February!
Grow Bare-Root Plants
Bare-root plants refer to the plants sold without any soil surrounding the roots. For example, you can begin growing bare-root roses and hedges at this time of year so it gives you a good opportunity to plan ahead for the rest of the year.
Winter Cleaning
With the dark days, it’s also a good moment to organise your surroundings and tidy up your garden. Have you been putting off your new year clean? Then, February is the best month to do it!
Cleaning includes throwing out old items in your shed and doing some maintenance in your greenhouse if you have one. Plus, you can sharpen any garden tools and get your other equipment checked in case you need to do some shopping before spring.
Do’s and Dont’s of February Gardening
Perhaps you’ve been gardening for years and already know all the do’s and dont’s of winter growing, but in case you’re new to the world of gardening then this section is for you. Here is the ultimate guide to caring for your garden in February…
You should definitely clean up loose leaves around your crops and any extra sticks that have been caught up in the soil. If there is a thick layer of leaves on the ground then you might run the risk of fungal problems.
In addition to tidying up leaves around your property, you also have to think about trimming the deadheads off of your flowers. While your checking on your flowers you can also get rid of vegetables that have spoiled and become disease infected.
If you have trees in your garden then you’ll have to do some general care such as wrapping them to prevent salt damage and low temperatures. The most efficient way to wrap your trees is at the bottom of the plant.
Dont’s of Winter Gardening in February
In contrast to the things you should do in February you also have to think about avoiding certain tasks during this month. One of the most common problems to arise in winter is weed growth.
If you leave weeds for too long during winter then they will become even harder to get rid of as spring approaches. This is due to the fact that the roots become more firm and attached which makes it impossible to detach them later on.
You should never fertilise your plants in February. If you do so you might interfere with the natural growing process of your plants and cause irreversible damage. And, no one wants that, right?
Not only should you avoid fertilising but you should also double-check that your irrigation system is working properly during winter. Even though checking your irrigation system is a top priority so is forgetting about protection.
No plants should be left outside in February without the proper protection. A simple solution is moving your plant containers closer to your home and covering them with a heat preventive blanket. Or, you can buy adequate heating equipment.
Make Gardening Your New February Hobby
Any time of year is great for gardening, especially when you explore new seeds to grow and learn about the ways to get the best out of crops throughout all the seasons. February is the perfect occasion to grow in the greenhouse and clean up your garden.
Make gardening your new February hobby today and watch your garden come to life as spring starts!