Beginners Tips

• In the UK it is still too cold to start most seeds and plants. Leave those tempting seedlings in the garden centres and wait until at least the end of the month to sow broad beans, early peas, leeks and sweetpeas.
• On a fine February morning you can improve your garden with a spring clean. Cut down old annuals that you left in place for the seed heads, edge the lawn if it looks forlorn, and tidy up loose leaves.
• Treat paths that have moss and algae built up and repair any raised or misplace paving stones.
• Spread well rotted manure or compost on the top of your vegetable patch and around hungry shrubs like roses.
• Review seed and plant catalogues and decide what you want to grow and where. If you are going to give each plant enough space you do not need as many plants as you expect so buy fewer good quality seeds and stock.
• Keep feeding the birds, they will soon have young to feed

Advanced Tips

• If you left your soil turned over in large clumps for the frost to break them down too a fine tilth, then wait a bit longer as February can have some terrific frosts.
• With a heated propagator you can start fuchsia cuttings with a bit of bottom heat.
• Remember all the early plants you start now will need space and protection from frost for quite a while yet. I always grow more than I can protect.
• Look after your quality tools. Give them a clean and sharpen before they are pressed into really active service. Prepare an oily sand plunge pit so you can quickly oil and clean them in busy period.
• Prune and reshape fruit trees but not stone fruit which need to wait until summer.
• Check over and do any preventative maintenance jobs now so you can concentrate your efforts on growing show stopping plants later on.