Spring Clean Your Garden

As we leave the frosts of winter behind, February is the ideal time to prepare your garden for the coming spring. From essential garden maintenance to planning and planting flowers and vegetables, late winter sets the stage for a blooming garden. 

Spring Cleaning

Hopefully the leaves that you left in the garden over the winter have provided much needed shelter for the insects and bees. Now that the temperatures are reaching double figures, it is safe to rake up the leaf mulch without disturbing their winter sleep.

A light scarify and aeration of your lawn at this time can stimulate grass growth and remove moss that may have appeared over the wetter months, but leave heavy scarifying for late spring or autumn. Use a rake over the surface of the lawn and then push a garden fork in at intervals.

Prune hardy roses and shrubs to encourage healthy growth and an abundance of flowers and work up a sweat tackling those weeds avoiding using weed killers or herbicides.

Planting

Take advantage of mild February days to prepare your garden soil for planting. Turn over the soil in flower beds and vegetable patches, breaking up any compacted areas and incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. This will improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient content, setting the stage for healthy plant growth.

It is too early for most vegetable crops, but hardy varieties like kale or broad beans may be suitable to plant outside if you live in the milder parts of the UK, like Devon. If not, you can start your seeds now in a greenhouse ready to transplant the seedlings in warmer March.  Tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs will grow well in a sunny spot on a kitchen windowsill and be ready for a late winter salad in no time.

Plant your spring bulbs now if you have not already. Daffodils, crocuses and tulips will be the first splashes of colour and a welcome herald of spring. 

Planning

This is a great time to plan your summer garden. Think about creating a welcoming environment for pollinators and beneficial insects by planting native flowers and providing water sources like bird baths or shallow dishes. If you have the space, include bird feeders or nesting boxes to attract birds that help control garden pests, like slugs, naturally.

Start a gardening journal or planner to track planting dates, varieties, and garden tasks throughout the season. This will help you stay organised and make informed decisions about crop rotation, pest management, and future planting schemes. It is also a wonderful way to record your gardening successes.

Build a healing garden

Research has shown that just looking at a garden can offer a wealth of health benefits, including improved mental health, reduced anxiety, and faster recovery from illness. Create your own oasis of calm by following these tips from the Royal Horticultural Society: Include layers of green to promote feelings of wellbeing and calm with a variety of scented plants to stimulate your senses. A water feature will add a gentle soothing sound and encourage wildlife. Lastly, create a space to sit in stillness and contemplation.