February might be the cold, tail end of winter, but we can rest at ease that springtime is only around the corner… Hopefully! With plenty of flowers, fruits and vegetables to sow and grow this month, there’s plenty of jobs to keep you out the house and in the garden or allotment.
We are big fans of Sweet Peas, they add so much colour and fragrance to gardens, so much so we have a huge collection. February is the time of year when you can sow in a glasshouse, cold frame or cool place indoors. A handy tip to consider though, is soaking the seeds in tepid water overnight before sowing, which can speed up the whole germination process.
Antirrhinum, also known as Snapdragon has always been a delicate friend of ours, for the splashes of colour they can give the dreariest of gardens. Sowing them at this time of ensures an earlier flowering period.
If you have a heated propagator, you can also start off Lobelia seeds but if you don’t have one of those, you can simply start Chrysanthemums off in the greenhouse, again, when you’re aiming for earlier blooms.
It’s also the time of year everybody decides to gamble on their seed potatoes. Should you buy them right away, should you watch the weather, should you leave it last minute? If you’re wanting early potatoes though, now is the time to plant them on a windowsill indoors to chit them ready for planting.
There’s a lot to be said of the humble Cucumber, you forget just how many varieties there is. One in particular has been a favourite of one of our Directors for 40 years. His first experience with Pepinex was through his Father, who grew vegetables for markets. You’re probably never heard of it, but take a chance and you will be richly rewarded.
You can sow Cucumbers at this time of year in a warm greenhouse, in warm conditions, same as your can do with tomatoes. If you’ve never grown these in coir growbags this might be a little trick that you’re missing that can help bring you growing success.
In The Greenhouse or Indoors
There’s a few different vegetables you can get going in February such as peas, aubergine seeds and leeks. When thinking of leeks, remember they do need a longer growing season. Similarly, if you’re aiming to grow larger onions this year, get them going now!
Early sowings of brassicas can be made under cover such as brussel sprouts, cabbages and cauliflower and even the slow growing celeriac too.
On the salad side of things, although they need plenty of warmth you can get sweet peppers going if you have a heated greenhouse. And finally, you can grow your own basil on the windowsill to flavour your favourite Italian dishes and fill your kitchen with heady Mediterranean aromas.
Under Cloches or Under a Cold Frame
If Chicory is something for you, start this under cloches ready for some summer harvesting. If you’re lucky to be in a mild part of the UK and have some sandy soil, you can start broad beans, carrots, parsnips, early beetroot, some lettuces, radish, spinach and summer cabbages otherwise you’ll need to wait for a little later in the year. But, if your ground isn’t frozen, you can start off Aquadulce Claudia broad beans direct.
