What to do in the garden in February?
February marks the approaching end of winter. Even though the cold wind is still blowing outside, it is time to think about maintaining your vegetable garden. The snow and frost have prevented sowing in the open ground without shelter. In fact, growing under cover can continue during the winter season. Around the middle of the second month of the year, an inventory of the garden is necessary to enable you to choose which plants to adopt.
Which seedlings to choose?
Although the cold has not entirely disappeared in February, the weather is gradually becoming milder. But you can't wait for the sun to shine before sowing your seeds. It is necessary to first take stock of the remaining vegetable seeds in the storehouse before ordering new ones.
Several plants are favourable on frames, such as carrots, lettuces, celeriac, kohlrabi, cardoons, early cauliflowers, romaine lettuce, leeks, melons, peppers, basil, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, turnips and radishes. It is also possible to grow edible bulbs such as shallots, Mulhouse onions and pink garlic.
In the West, planting potatoes in mini greenhouses, shallots and peas in tunnels is favourable. In the South, you can plant chervil, chicory, summer curly endive, lamb's lettuce, watercress, spinach, wild spinach, peas, short carrots, broad beans, parsley, leeks and other vegetables, parsley, leeks, early pear and salsify, beetroot, baby cabbage, chives, asparagus, shallots, red or yellow onions, sorrel, radishes, Roman chamomile and borage.
Some soil maintenance work to be done in February
It is also best to carry out some important tasks in February to revive the soil, such as preparing the plots by scattering fertilisers (crushed green manure, compost or manure) on the surface, aerating the frames, opening the tunnels and raising the bells. Also remember to remove worms from under the frames.
This is a good time to make a new sprinkler bed and to sketch out the plan for your next garden. If you are working with permaculture, consider covering the soil with a thick layer of straw in February. This technique serves to protect the soil structure and its nutrients as well as its many inhabitants from winter cold.
Some treatments to do in the vegetable garden in February
February is the perfect time to do some serious work in the garden. Start by looking after your tools, which will be heavily involved over the next few days. Some fruit trees, such as apples, peaches and pears, need treatment with Bordeaux mixture. This technique helps to prevent fungal and bacterial diseases, but also prevents the spores from germinating the following spring. Sprout in February the potato varieties to be grown during the year.
Winter vegetables also deserve special attention, e.g. blanching dandelions, forcing sorrel or picking up endive roots. This is the time to prune lemon verbena, without altering the main branches, tarragon, vines, but also apple and pear trees.
Nevertheless, crop rotation should always be respected, especially in an organic vegetable garden. This is a perfect way to promote the growth of vegetables while avoiding impoverishing the soil and finding the cycle of pests. Pest attacks are still devastating to the crops. Also follow the lunar calendar and the phases of the moon so that you can work in the garden on the right day.
To go further, discover the video "10 vegetables to sow in February"
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