February Tips |  |
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Although some days can be mild and sunny take care with tender plants as there are still cold nights ahead. |
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Borders | |  | • | Lightly trim winter flowering Heathers once the flowers have died off. | | • | Divide snowdrops "in the green" when they have finished flowering. | | • | Continue to tidy beds and borders, then mulch with compost, well-rotted manure or bark and apply a slow release fertiliser such as bonemeal. | | • | Continue to prune out dead, damaged, or diseased branches from established trees and shrubs in frost-free weather. | | • | Continue to firm in the roots of trees and shrubs that are lifted by frost. | | • | Remove snow from evergreen trees and shrubs to prevent branches being snapped. | | • | Prune roses, especially hyrbrid tea and floribunda types. | | • | Prune back late summer and autumn flowering clematis. |
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Bedding Plants | | | • | Keep flowering plants looking their best by removing dead heads. | | • | If you've not already done so now's a good time to order the plants you'd like for summer colour. |
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Container Plants | | | • | Check the fixings on hanging baskets to make sure they are secure. | | • | Water any containers that may have dried out in the wind. |
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Lawns | | | • | If not already done, clean and overhaul any machinery, oiling parts and storing under cover. | | • | Choose different paths when crossing the lawn, as continually following the same route will cause compaction. | | • | Avoid walking on your lawn when it is frosty as this will cause damage. |
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Fruit | | | • | Continue to plant new fruit trees and bushes providing the ground is not frozen or too wet | | • | Tie in wall-trained fruit trees and bushes. | | • | Continue to check and firm in all newly planted fruit trees and bushes. | | • | Complete the pruning of fruit trees. | | • | This is the latest time to spray fruit trees with a winter wash. |
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The Vegetable Garden | | | • | If you've not already done so, select the varieties you intend to grow during the year and order seed or baby plants. | | • | Continue to dig over vacant ground and dig in well-rotted manure or compost providing the ground is not too wet or frozen. | | • | Dig and store any root crops still in the ground. | | • | If not already ordered, buy and store seed potatoes in a dark place. |
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The Greenhouse | | | • | Do not water plants too much - only when the compost is dry. | | • | Check plants regularly for pests and disease i.e., moulds and fungus. | | • | Ventilate only on warm days. | | • | Plant new grape vines. | | • | Sow sweet peas for planting out later. | | • | Complete the pruning of grape vines. | | • | Check the glass is not loose after high winds. |
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Ponds | | | • | Keep an area of the pond free of ice to help fish to breathe. |
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General Tasks | | | • | Provide food and water for garden birds. | | • | Clean and oil all garden tools if not already done. |
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