February Gardening Tips From Olle Garden Bed

There are many interesting things to do in the garden in February! In this guide, Olle Garden Bed provide you with practical gardening skills in February:

This may be the best time to trim shrubs, sow seeds, plant vegetables, plant flowers or check whether indoor plants have pests. In this month, the weather is mild, the average temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), and there is at least 10 hours of sunshine every day. Although the weather is very cold, there are many things to do in the garden during this time!

What to plant in February

February is a good month to plant seeds of flowering plants, vegetables and cold-resistant annual plants. Planting in the early season can make you enjoy a good harvest for most of the year! If you have a heated breeder or growth lamp, you can start planting warm vegetables and summer flowering plants. Here are some of the many different plants you can plant in February:

Flowering plant

Universe: grow from seeds in peat-free compost on a tray or flowerpot. Place the tray or flowerpot in a bright and sunny place, or use a growth lamp to accelerate the germination rate (indoor). Once the weather warms, you can transplant it outdoors.

Sweet peas: sweet peas that are easy to grow can be planted separately in flowerpots or cardboard tubes. A heated propagator or growth lamp is essential for planting sweet peas from the seeds. Wait until the seedlings become hard before planting them outdoors.

Salvia miltiorrhiza: This flowering plant increases the height and structure of the garden. Some varieties can start from seeds quickly. Only use peat-free seed compost to plant salvia miltiorrhiza from the seeds, and then add a layer of vermiculite. Put the flowerpot in a warm and bright place indoors.

Lily: Traditionally, lily is a summer flower. If it grows in a sunny place, it can start early. To do this, you may need a heated diffuser or growth lamp. Plant bulbs in fertile and well-drained soil.

Geranium: A cold-resistant variety of geranium, called cranmouth, can be planted in the garden, either in direct sunlight or in a cool place. Cold resistant geraniums are easy to grow and have strong adaptability - they can grow well in most soils except moist soil.

Other flowering plants you can plant in February are:

Yukomis
Litris
Agapantus
Galtonia
Japanese anemone
Vegetables

Cabbage: This green leafy vegetable is very cold resistant, but if the weather is too cold, the seeds should be started indoors. Sow 2 to 3 seeds in each small flower pot. Once the seedlings germinate, they will be thinned to leave the healthiest seedlings. Place flowerpots in sunny places, such as window sills, until they are large enough to be planted underground.

Tomatoes: This fruit is the staple food in summer, but it can be sown at a minimum temperature of 10 º C. If you have a heated breeder, you will have the best chance to start tomatoes in the early season. The sunny windowsill is also very suitable for planting tomatoes in flowerpots or trays. Just cover the container at night, so that the temperature will not drop too fast and delay germination.

Pepper: Most varieties of pepper require a minimum temperature of 25 º C to germinate. But you can start using the growth lamp at the beginning of February and plant 4 to<>seeds in the soil pot with seed compost. Cover with vermiculite to speed up the germination process.

Eggplant: eggplant has the same minimum temperature requirements as pepper, so growth lamp is a necessary condition for starting these crops as soon as possible. Sow 2 to 4 seeds in the soil pot with seed compost. Cover with vermiculite to speed up the germination process.

Basil: Warm season plants like Basil should be planted in sunny places, such as window sills or heated breeders (if any). You can buy a herbal kit so that you have all the materials needed to build a small herbal garden, most of which include basil. Once the seedlings sprout, it only takes a few weeks to prepare for harvesting basil.

Broad beans: Broad beans should be planted outdoors in mild weather, but if the soil is still cold, cover it with wool or alfalfa to insulate the soil before planting. If the weather is still cold, it is best to start the seeds in the multi-cell tray under the growth lamp or cold frame. After the temperature rises, you can transfer the seedlings to the garden.

Garden maintenance tasks to be completed

Flowering plant

Cut off the remaining ornamental grass before the emergence of fresh buds

Pruning flowering plants to promote healthy bud growth

Break the compacted soil with a shovel and rake

Remove crowded grass and perennial plants to promote new growth

After flowering, prune winter flowering plants to promote rich flowering in the next season

Use the manual pruner to cut the old leaves before the spring flower bud develops

Enrich the soil with slow-release fertilizer around the base of flowering shrubs

Fruits and vegetables

Complete winter pruning to promote healthy growth in spring

Remove weeds from vegetable fields or elevated beds before sowing.

Add a thick layer of organic compost on the vegetable bed before sowing.

Spread potash fertilizer on the base of fruit trees and shrubs to promote the next season's rich fruits

Install a bell or wool on the temperature-sensitive plan to encourage early harvest and prevent frost and cold wind

If the soil begins to soften, plant fruit shrubs and trees

Garden maintenance: prepare for the growing season

Install birdbath and birdhouse to attract pollinators in the coming spring

Knock off the snow on evergreen shrubs, conifers and hedges to prevent branches from breaking

Install cold frame to harden seedlings

Use insulating materials such as wool or burlap bags to protect plants from frost and cold wind.

Strong back plants affected by frost

When the ground becomes easier to work, enrich the soil with organic compost or rotten manure

Use a shovel, hoe or rake to break the compacted soil

Use a rake to remove unwanted debris, such as dead grass, fallen leaves, plant branches, etc.

Scatter dung around flowering shrubs and bushes

Repair, repaint or replace outdoor gardening items, such as window frames, flower pots, water containers and lawn furniture, in preparation for the next growing season.

Organize seed packages by start date and ensure that seeds are still feasible

If you are considering winter pruning or early seeds from February, please keep these gardening tips in mind. Many plants may be dormant from December to February, but when you prepare for the next growing season, you need to complete a series of activities.