insideKENT Magazine Issue 47 - February 2016 | Page 114

OUTDOORLIVING YOUR GARDEN: february Spring is in sight This month there are signs of the approaching spring, with bulbs appearing and wildlife waking up as light levels and temperatures increase. There's plenty to do indoors this month to prepare for the season ahead. Outdoors, as the garden comes to life again, it's time to prune shrubs and climbers, such as Wisteria as well as evergreen hedges. TOP 10 JOBS THIS MONTH 1. Prepare vegetable seed beds, and sow some vegetables under cover 2. Chit potato tubers 3. Protect blossom on apricots, nectarines and peaches 4. Net fruit and vegetable crops to keep the birds off 5. Prune winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering 6. Divide bulbs such as snowdrops, and plant those that need planting ‘in the green’ 7. Prune Wisteria 8. Prune hardy evergreen hedges and renovate overgrown deciduous hedges 9. Prune conservatory climbers 10. Cut back deciduous grasses left uncut over the winter TOP TIPS new introductions may suffer from replant diseases. Move established deciduous trees and shrubs provided the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. When pruning, concentrate on removing overcrowded growth, crossing stems, and dead, damaged, or dying branches. Aim for an open centre, through which air can circulate, as this will reduce the risk of pests and diseases. If your trees are too large for you to manage pruning alone, you may need a tree surgeon. Otherwise take care not to damage the tree when sawing off thicker branches. Many summer-flowering deciduous shrubs can be pruned between February and March; usually those that flower on the current year’s growth. Shrubs that need regular pruning include Buddleja davidii, Ceratostigma, Hydrangea paniculata, Lavatera, Leycesteria, Perovskia, hardy fuchsias, and deciduous Ceanothus. Trees & Shrubs Continue to plant hedging plants, shrubs, trees and climbers. Stakes and rabbit guards should be put in place at the time of planting trees, to prevent damage to the rootball or bark. Continue to plant roses. Avoid planting in areas where roses were previously growing otherwise Ornamental vines, ivy, Virginia creeper and Boston ivy can be cut back now – it’s a good idea to keep them away from windows, doors, gutters and roof tiles. Lawns If the weather is warm, you may need to start mow. Set the cutting height at its maximum, and 114 only mow when the grass is dry. Re-cut lawn edges to crisp up the appearance of the garden and save work later in the season. Turf can be laid, provided the soil is not too wet or frosty. Work from planks, to avoid compacting the soil. Do not walk on the newly laid turf and leave undisturbed for several weeks to allow new roots to establish. Prepare seed beds for new lawns to be seeded later in the spring, but only attempt this if the ground is not too wet. Flowers Dahlia tubers stored over winter (or bought this year) can be started into growth. Place them in a light, warm place to sprout before planting. They will need additional misting with a spraybottle of water, to stop them drying out. Lily bulbs can be planted in pots, for flowers this summer. After growing on indoors or in a cool greenhouse, they can be moved onto the patio when in flower, so that you can enjoy the blooms. Bulbs coming up in the rock garden or in containers may benefit from overhead protection from the rain and snow. A sheet of glass or Perspex placed on piles of bricks will do the job. Hardy annuals can be sown in pots or modules to provide colour.