February is a busy month in the garden, with warm weather driving rapid growth across plants and weeds alike. By tackling the following garden tasks your garden will stay healthy and you’ll be better prepared for the months ahead.
These three essential tasks are easy to tackle and deliver noticeable results.
Your first garden task is to tackle summer weeds!
Summer weeds thrive in February, but regular attention will stop them from taking over. A quick walk through the garden each morning allows you to remove young weeds before they establish strong roots or set seed.
Deal with small weeds early using a simple tool such as a Dutch hoe. This is one of the best garden jobs to do in February because it saves significant time and effort later. For heavier infestations, cut weeds back and cover the soil with layers of newspaper to block light and suppress regrowth. Finish by applying a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of sugar cane mulch to retain moisture, prevent new weeds and leave garden beds neat and tidy.
Your second garden task is to sow cool season flowers
February is the ideal time to sow seeds for a colourful winter to spring flower display. Many cool season annuals are easy to grow from seed, including nigella, poppies, pansies and calendula.
Use clean pots or seed trays filled with a quality seed-raising mix. Water well, then sow seeds at the recommended depth. Keep trays lightly moist in a bright, sheltered position and label them clearly. Once seedlings emerge, feed weekly with liquid fertiliser. Pot seedlings on when large enough to handle and plant them out in autumn as temperatures begin to cool. Adding flower sowing to your list of garden tasks to do in February ensures strong plants ready for the cooler months.
Your third garden task is to freshen up indoor your plants
Indoor plants can start to look tired by late summer, making February a good time to give them some extra care. A short break outdoors can help revive growth and improve overall plant health.
Move plants to a cool, shaded position to prevent sun damage and leave them outside for a few weeks. Gently hose dust from leaves, water the potting mix thoroughly and trim away dead growth. If roots are crowded, repot or divide plants as needed. Finish with an application of slow-release fertiliser before returning plants indoors. This simple task is one of the best garden tasks to do in February for healthier indoor plants year-round.
