February signals the true start of the gardening season after January’s harsh weather. Horticultural expert Simon from Walking Talking Gardeners highlights five vital tasks to complete now. He cautions that missing these jobs this month will delay results until next year, potentially ruining seasonal displays.
Prune Early Spring-Flowering Plants
Begin by pruning early spring bloomers like mahonia and honeysuckle. These plants flower on old growth, so cutting now promotes fresh shoots that will bloom next year. Avoid heavy pruning; simply open space for new growth.
Simon stresses the timing: “If you cut these plants later, you’re removing next season’s flowering wood.” Remove straggly branches entirely rather than snipping precisely. For witch hazels, handle carefully to preserve ornamental branches—leave them untouched if possible, or trim obstructive ones.
Lift and Divide Snowdrops
Late February offers the perfect window to lift, divide, and replant snowdrops for broader displays next year. Act right after flowering ends, while leaves remain but no flower heads persist.
“It’s the best time to propagate snowdrops by division,” Simon notes. This time-sensitive step ensures successful spread across the garden.
Trim Wisteria
Follow up the summer prune with wisteria’s winter cut this month—your final chance. Shorten long, whippy shoots to two or three buds from the main stem. Always eliminate dead, diseased, dying, or crossing branches.
Clean secateurs or saws between plants to prevent spreading diseases or pests.
Prune Select Fruit Trees
February remains ideal for remedial pruning on apple, pear, and medlar trees. Medlars produce small autumn fruits perfect for eating fresh or making jelly—rare in stores, so growing your own guarantees a harvest.
Steer clear of stone fruits like cherries, peaches, and plums, as winter pruning risks permanent damage.
Apply Winter Tar Wash
For fruit trees, apply winter tar wash, an oil-based spray available at garden centers. This treatment suffocates overwintering eggs of pests like aphids and red spider mites, averting spring infestations when bark covers the trunks.
