1. Clear, prune and mow
After the winter winds have swept through your garden, it’s time to rake fallen leaves and broken twigs from under hedges and bushes. Not only does this create a tidier garden, but it also helps to ensure there is enough airflow between the soil and the atmosphere, which is essential for the health of your plants.
If any plants that border your lawn have climbed forward during winter, prune them back before beginning your first mow. This will make mowing easier and quicker, as well as protecting your plants from lawnmower blades.
2. Tidy and weed
Inspect plants and shrubs, and cut off any dead flowers in order to promote continued blooming.Remove weeds from flowerbeds and grass. Smaller weeds come out of the soil more readily, so the earlier in the season you tackle and stop them from spreading, the less effort you need to expend later.
3. Nourish potted plants
February is a good time to check the moisture levels of potted plants and add fertiliser to ensure they have adequate nutrition for a blossoming spring. Food and moisture are more limited when plants are in pots, because they are unable to send their roots out in search of extra sustenance like they would in open ground.
4. Prepare your water system
This is the ideal time of year to plan your water irrigation system for the warmer, drier months of spring and summer. Installing an automatic irrigation system can save time and energy, and, if installed correctly, help to save water. Alternatively, collecting water in butts and watering by hand is a great way to recycle rainwater.
