Garden Maintenance in February: Tips for the Perfect Start to the Gardening Season

With February already here and spring within reach, the anticipation of warmer days is awakening in all of us. Now is the time to awaken our garden from hibernation and prepare it for the coming season. An essential step in this process is the careful pruning of pome fruit trees such as apples and pears as well as perennials and ornamental shrubs. Experts recommend carrying out these measures before the first buds sprout. But what aspects should be taken into account?

Pome fruit trees such as apple and pear trees benefit from targeted pruning before budding in spring. Removing old wood and superfluous shoots not only stimulates growth, but also favours the formation of healthy fruit.Garden owners should ensure that pruning cuts are clean and straight to minimise the risk of disease.

In frost-free and sunny periods, it is a good idea to treat the sensitive bark of young fruit trees with a coat of lime.This can consist of quicklime or slaked lime, for example.This step prevents the bark from cracking due to sudden temperature fluctuations. Young apricot, plum or cherry trees in particular benefit from this measure.

Perennials and ornamental shrubs should also be cut back at this time of year, unless they are early-flowering plants such as hydrangeas. As a rule of thumb, anything that doesn’t flower in spring should be pruned now. Targeted pruning promotes the formation of new shoots and ensures lush blooms over the coming months.

In addition to pruning, pre-growing plants is also a popular activity in spring.Various vegetables such as courgettes, peppers, tomatoes, chillies and cucumbers can be pre-grown on windowsills from mid-January.These plants need a longer growing period before they can be planted outdoors.Pre-breeding allows you to gain precious weeks in the growing phase and achieve a rich harvest in summer.

Flowers can also be pre-grown in spring. The exact time for sowing varies depending on the type of plant and is usually stated on the seed packets. Garden enthusiasts should ensure that they create the optimum conditions for pre-cultivation, such as sufficient light, moisture and warmth.

Put up new nesting boxes by the end of February and clean the old ones thoroughly. Do not use any chemicals. Nesting boxes provide an opportunity to familiarise children with wildlife. Hang them up in a dry and draught-proof location, orientate the entrance hole to the east or south-east, install them overhanging to keep out the rain.

All in all, spring offers a multitude of opportunities to spruce up the garden and prepare for the coming gardening season.If you have already followed the steps mentioned in the article, then you can look forward to the sight of spring snowflakes, Christmas roses or cornelian cherry, which are usually already visible in February.

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