February is still very much a winter month, but the growing season is beginning to stir. It is a good time to finish winter pruning, start some of the slower-growing crops indoors and, when the weather and soil allow, make the first sowings and plantings outside.
Pruning of apples, pears and grape vines should be completed this month if you haven’t done so already. Leave stone fruits such as plums, cherries and damsons until spring or summer, when the risk of silver leaf disease and bacterial canker entering through pruning cuts is lower.
February is a good time to start sowing tender crops indoors that need a long growing season. Tomatoes, peppers, chillies and aubergines can all be started in a warm, bright place, although don’t be tempted to sow too much too early unless you have somewhere suitable to keep the young plants as they grow.
On the allotment, shallots and garlic can be planted this month if the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Towards the end of February, and providing the weather is kind, hardy broad beans and peas can also be sown. If the soil is cold and wet, however, there is little advantage in rushing — seeds sitting in cold, soggy ground are more likely to rot than grow.
February is also a useful month for preparing for spring. Finish clearing old crops and weeds, tidy beds and paths, and spread well-rotted compost or manure where needed. Avoid walking on or working soil when it is very wet, as this can damage its structure.
Seed potatoes can be bought now and set out somewhere cool, light and frost-free to chit ready for planting later in the spring. Rhubarb can also be forced by covering an established crown with a forcing pot or upturned container to exclude the light.
Keep an eye on overwintering crops such as brassicas, leeks and winter salads, removing damaged or yellowing leaves. Check netting and other protection after strong winds, and don’t forget that pigeons can become particularly determined visitors at this time of year when other food is scarce.
Above all, take your cue from the weather. A mild, dry February can offer plenty of opportunities to get ahead, but there is no prize for being the first to sow into cold, saturated soil.