February in the Garden

February often feels like the bridge between winter and spring. The days are getting longer, bulbs are pushing through, and the garden is beginning to wake up. It’s still chilly and changeable, but there’s plenty to do to get things moving for the new growing season.

This is the month to make early sowings, tidy the greenhouse, and prepare beds and borders so you’re ready when the rush of spring arrives.

You’ll find a full list of what to sow in the Easy Seed Planner.

🥕 Vegetable Highlights

Sow indoors (windowsill or heated propagator): aubergines, chillies, peppers, tomatoes, early cabbage, and celery.
Sow under cover (cold frame, cloches, grow-house or unheated greenhouse): broad beans, peas for shoots, spinach, spring onions, and early lettuce.
Sow outside (mild areas only): parsnips, broad beans, and early carrots if the soil is workable.
Plant out: garlic, shallots, and onion sets in mild, well-drained soil.
Tip: keep early sowings on the dry side and give them as much light as possible to prevent leggy seedlings.

Veggie jobs this February…

• Check fleece and cloches are still in place after windy weather.
• Warm soil for outdoor sowing by covering beds with black plastic or cloches.
• Finish digging and manuring heavy soils if not already done.
• Keep feeding overwintering crops such as spring cabbage and kale with a light mulch of compost.
• Start chitting seed potatoes in a cool, bright spot.
• Clean and check seed trays, labels and watering cans ready for sowing.
• Make a note of any gaps in your seed collection and top up while supplies are good.

 🪴 Herby Highlights & Things to Do

• Trim and tidy overwintered herbs to encourage new growth.
• Sow basil, chives, coriander, dill and parsley indoors for early herbs.
• Divide clumps of chives, mint and lemon balm if the soil is workable.
• Water container herbs sparingly, just enough to stop them drying out.
• Start new pots of cut-and-come-again salad leaves on a sunny windowsill.

🌻 February Flower Power

• Sow sweet peas if you haven’t already — they’ll be ready for strong spring growth.
• Start half-hardy annuals like antirrhinums and lobelia indoors if you have warmth and light.
• Plant snowdrops and aconites “in the green” for next year’s display.
• Cut back old stems from perennials and ornamental grasses before new shoots appear.
• Deadhead winter pansies and tidy borders to let spring bulbs shine through.
• In sheltered spots, you can start sowing hardy annuals under cover.
For more options, filter the flowers by sow in February in the Easy Seed Planner.

🍓 Fruity Actions

• Finish planting bare-root fruit bushes, trees and canes before buds break.
• Prune autumn-fruiting raspberries down to the ground.
• Tidy and mulch strawberries with compost or leaf mould.
• Feed established fruit bushes with a balanced fertiliser.
• Check tree ties and supports after winter storms.
• Force a few rhubarb crowns for an early harvest — just cover them with an upturned pot.

🧹 General Bits and Bobs

• Keep paths and greenhouse floors clear of moss and algae.
• Ventilate greenhouses on bright days to prevent mould.
• Give your greenhouse glass a final clean for maximum light.
• Sort out compost bags, labels, pots and seed trays ready for sowing.
• Make sure water butts are full — you’ll be glad of them once sowing starts.
• Keep feeding the birds — they’re your pest control allies come spring!

🌿 Greenhouse, Polytunnel & Cold Frame Prep

Before sowing takes off, take an hour or two to get your growing spaces ready — whether that’s a greenhouse, polytunnel, cold frame, cloches or a small grow-house.
• Wash glazing or clear covers to let in every bit of light.
• Brush and disinfect benches, trays and pots.
• Check corners and crevices for overwintering pests.
• Replace any broken panes, torn polythene or cracked lids.
• Set up propagators, shelves or seed trays ready for early sowings.
• Make sure you’ve got a working thermometer and watering can to hand.
A clean, organised space makes those first sowing days much easier — and it’s a real lift to step into somewhere bright and warm while the weather still has its winter bite.

💚 February is full of promise.

The soil is stirring, the first shoots are appearing, and it’s time to start sowing again. A few small steps now will make all the difference when spring arrives. Check the Easy Seed Planner and our February Offers for ideas to keep your garden growing strong.