February feeding time is no-brainer for great plot
Gardening in February is all about enjoying early signs of spring and getting ready for growing season so, no matter the size of your planting space, you can lay groundwork now for a beautiful display during warmer months. If you only do one thing this month, you should get ready to feed your plants. They're about to have a huge growth surge. If you look after your soil, the plants will look after themselves.
Most soils benefit from addition of well rotted organic matter in the form of garden compost that improves soil drainage and enriches the soil with nutrients. Which is why making your own garden compost is a no-brainer as it’s easy, free and makes your garden grow.
Thrifty tip for the month is to make your own compost bin. It can cost you absolutely nothing if you recycle and reuse old materials. If you have an old plastic dustbin with a lid, you have a composter.
Drill about 15 1-2cm holes in the sides of the bin and approximately six holes of the same size in the bottom. Place the dustbin on bricks to allow for drainage. Fill it with your composting materials and, to mix the ingredients, simply roll the bin around on the ground.
It’s always good to start your compost from someone else’s so get a friend with good compost to give you a bagful. It will contain all the right bacteria, insects and worms to give yours a kick-start. For successful composting you need to mix brown materials with green materials and add a bit of water to keep it moist. A good ratio is two thirds brown (newspaper, shredded cardboard, straw, paper tissues, dead leaves, sticks and stalks) to one third green (fresh grass clippings, spent flowers, coffee grounds, teabags, kitchen scraps, crushed egg shells and plant prunings).
Some of the best plants to prune at this time of year are roses, which should be pruned in late winter and early spring. Advice from the Royal Horticultural Society is that February is normally a good time for gardeners in the south but, in northern and colder areas, wait until March. By following a few basic principles you can enjoy a lovely display later in the year.
Cuts should be about 5mm above a bud and slope away. With bush or shrub roses, cut to an outward-facing bud to encourage an open centre. Make clean cuts using sharp secateurs or a pruning saw for thicker stems. Remove dead, diseased and damaged stems along with weak stems or ones crossing over others.
A plant that needs little pruning is heavily scented hamamelis or witch hazel.
The colour is a lovely addition to the garden during winter, the fragrance delightful and the autumn foliage stunning. Although their branches can spread as they mature, and some may end up wider than higher, there are options for smaller gardens. If outside space is limited, go for a variety with an upright habit of growth that spreads out less and casts less shade.
Witch hazels are happy in any soil so long as not waterlogged or chalky and are hardy plants that can be grown pretty much anywhere in the UK. Pruning is often not necessary but, if you have to, snip back to two buds from the base of last year’s growth. Mulch in the autumn or early winter.
Some popular varieties include Jelena (a prolific grower with large, densely packed orange flowers), Wisley Supreme (a great combination of large bright yellow flowers) and Sunburst narrow upright growth, ideal for small spaces with unusually large pale yellow flowers.