February is the month when there is not much to do in the garden itself and we focus more on removing snow and taking care of plants that are covered with snow. It is also a good time to plan new beds, planting schemes and garden equipment. Before you start shopping, it is a good idea to find out what the requirements of your chosen plants are, what size they will reach in a few years, and what garden tools you will need to sow, plant and maintain them. If it's bed edging, is it plastic, metal or wood? If they are garden tools and accessories, what are they for? Perhaps a clear shed or storage space would be useful for these tools? The winter months are perfect to take the time for purchasing and preparing everything you need.
For a gardener, working in the garden is the greatest joy, as long as it goes smoothly, is enjoyable and brings the results you expect. You already know that in spring, summer, autumn and winter - all the year long - there is always something to do around the house and in the garden. But good intentions and willing work hands are not enough - the right tools will make your job much easier, taking care of the soil, plants and organization in your garden, while being healthy and not making too much effort!
A good example is the TORNADICA (formerly Tornado ) garden tools, specially designed to protect your back. The best known of these is usually the cultivator - much more convenient and faster than a hoe. Did you know that you can also add a pedal/lever to it, making it even easier to dig up furrows and pull weeds, especially in heavy soils. For tilling around trees and shrubs and in densely planted beds, the Mini-Cultivator will be a great help. It can also quickly and easily make holes for planting bulbs, flowers and other plants. If larger holes are needed (for shrubs, trees, aunts), the Super Drill is definitely a better alternative than the spade, and can also be used to dig fences and gateposts more easily if needed. A simple earth drill is also still available for such work. However, a weed extractor is irreplaceable, as it will pull the weed out by the entire root. Innovative tools such as the potato digger or the harvester-ripper, which loosens the soil to a depth of up to 5 cm while cutting the roots of weeds, are also useful. This example shows just how wide the choice of garden tools is nowadays, and it is definitely worth taking a day in February to make your work in the garden a little easier during the season.
What to do in the garden in February?
Ornamental plants
- To prevent snow from damaging conifer branches, clean them regularly. Dry snow is light, but wet snow becomes heavy and can damage your plants significantly. Shake it off to prevent an icy crust forming on shoots and leaves.
- Check that the wind has not blown away cold-sensitive plant coverings (agrotextiles, straw, etc.).
- If hard frosts are approaching, also cover sensitive shrubs with textiles or straw tassels. If there is little or no snow, also cover the beds where perennials and bulbs grow. Cover the ground with a layer of mulch (leaves, straw, bark) or reeds from conifer branches.
- Water evergreen deciduous shrubs and plants (e.g. rhododendrons, boxwood, ivy, pyracantha, etc.) and conifers during the thaw to avoid so-called physiological drought.This should be done regularly, without allowing the soil to dry out completely, but also without allowing too much water to accumulate in the soil. During cold and strong winds, these plants lose water by transpiration and are unable to replenish it from the frozen substrate.
Other
- We recommend placing plastic bands on the trunks of new fruit trees to protect them from animals.
- Check fruit trees and bushes in February for pest eggs. If present, destroy them, as they can become a source of infection the following season.
- Vegetables stored in the cellar should be at a temperature of about 4°C. Do not forget to regularly ventilate the rooms in which they are stored. Check for signs of disease.
- Regularly check the condition of wintering tubers and bulbs (e.g. gladioli, dahlias).
Lawn
- Do not remove snow from your lawn. Snow-covered plants will get through the winter better than those exposed to cold winds and harsh sun.
Pond
- If the pond is frozen, make a hole in the ice. This will provide oxygen for overwintering fish and plants.
Plants in the pots
- Water the plants on the windowsill regularly. When airing the room, remember not to let the plants get cold. Check the plants to make sure they are not contaminated by pests. Try using organic sprays if necessary.
- If you have moved balcony plants (e.g. geraniums) into the house for the winter season, water them only occasionally. They need a rest period.
Garden equipment
- Winter is the time to check the maintenance of your garden equipment (sharpening, repairs, oil changes) and to buy new tools for your garden.