There are plenty of jobs to be done in the vegetable garden in February!
Sow:
indoors from seed in trays or pots:
- early beetroot Bietola da Orto Paonazza d’Egitto is ideal for early sowings as matures quickly. Good for children to grow.
- broad beans
- leeks
- celariac
- spinach Spinach Perpetual is a prolific strain of spinach beet.
- summer cabbage Savoy Cabbage Estoril seeds can be sown under glass in February, and planted out when plants have 2-3 true leaves.
- calabrese for summer cropping
- globe artichoke
- lettuce sowing a few seed each week will give a continuous supply of lettuce
outside from seed under cloches in mild areas – early beetroot, lettuce, spring onions, salad leaves, spinach
plant shallots
in the garden as soon as the ground is workable – onion sets, shallots and garlic
push onion in
Plant
rhubarb patch March
Plant rhubarb crowns & cover to force early stalks
Jerusalem artichoke tubers
Harvest:
purple broccoli spear
Early sprouting broccoli, cabbages, sprouts, kale, leeks, celery and parsnips
cabbage in snow
Other Jobs:
- chit potatoes – stand seed potatoes on end in module tray or egg box & place them in a bright, cool, frost-free place
- apply fertiliser to ground before sowing early crops, to overwintered vegetables, to soft fruit bushes
- cut down autumn fruiting raspberry canes to ground level and mulch. Cut the tips of summer fruiting raspberry canes that have grown beyond the top of their support; cut just above a bud
- prune apple & pear trees whilst they are still dormant. Leave plum, cherry & apricot trees until the summer
- dig the garden if the soil is dry. Prepare vegetable seed beds by removing all weeds & forking in plenty of compost. Cover prepared soil with sheets of black plastic to keep it drier & warmer in preparation for spring planting.
dig
The jobs to be done in the vegetable garden in February complete the circle of sowing and harvesting!