Lawn and Garden Jobs for February

1. Start Planning for Spring 

Even though your lawn is usually still dormant in February, it can need cutting if the weather has been mild, especially in southern England. Most important is to start planning for spring feeding and weed control. In the garden, bulbs are appearing and blossoms are starting to bud on spring flowering trees.

2. Check Your Lawn for Winter Damage

Even though your grass is dormant, winter weather can take a toll on your lawn. Snow, mould, ice damage, or walking over specific areas can lead to patches of dead grass. If the ground is frozen or covered in snow, avoid walking on it as much as possible. Walking on frozen turf can compact the soil and damage the grass crowns, which may harm the lawn in the long run. Instead, stick to paths or cleared walkways when moving across your lawn, and let your grass remain undisturbed until the thaw.

February is a good time to inspect your lawn for these potential issues. If you find affected areas, avoid walking on the lawn, and let it recover naturally. If needed, gently rake the affected spots to help air circulation. In addition, make sure any remaining leaves are removed. Damaged areas may require overseeding in the spring. You can also patch damaged areas using rolls of turf, both turf and grass seed are available from Denmead Turf and Topsoil all year round.

For treating existing lawns, start thinking about finding a top dressing for your lawn, or a fertiliser/weedkiller ready for treating your lawn in March/April. Denmead Turf and Topsoil stock bulk bags of top/lawn dressing for larger lawns or you can buy lawn weed and feed from Parker’s DIY (branches in Denmead, Stubbington, Fareham and North Baddersley).

3. Sharpen Your Tools for Spring

Now is the perfect time to get your lawn care and gardening equipment ready for the upcoming season. Sharpen your mower blades, clean and tune-up your tools, and make sure everything is in working order. A well-maintained mower will make the process of mowing easier and result in healthier, cleaner cuts once your grass begins to grow again. You can remove the blade and bring it to Parker’s DIY for sharpening, you can also have your petrol mower or strimmer etc serviced ready for spring. 

4. Rethink Your Lawn and Garden’s Design

Winter is an ideal time for planning any lawn renovations or redesigns. Take advantage of the slower growing season to rethink your lawn layout, considering factors like sun exposure, irrigation needs, and drainage. If you’re planning to add new plants or shrubs, now is the time to design their placement to complement the lawn. 

Also, you might want to think about incorporating more sustainable practices into your lawn care routine, such as reducing water usage, opting for drought-tolerant grass varieties, or adding mulch to conserve moisture.

5. Plan planting for the Spring

Plan your vegetable plot for spring, seed potatoes and onion sets are available in Parker’s DIY during February so choose your early, second and main crop potato varieties and start chitting ready for planting in mid-March/April. You can use egg boxes or seed trays, place the eye (sprouting shoot) upwards in a cool, light room so that the shoots grow and give your potatoes a head start when planted. In addition to planting onions this month, broad beans, cauliflower, celery and leeks can all be planted in February. If you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse you can be getting it clean and ready for more cold sensitive seeds. If you haven’t already, wash old plastic pots and buy compost ready for planting (John Innes seed compost is perfect); visit Parker’s DIY shop to look at their full range of vegetable and flower seeds to plan your summer garden now.

Conclusion

While February may seem like a slow month for garden care, it’s a crucial time for preparation and early intervention. By planning ahead, performing minor maintenance tasks, and monitoring your lawn for damage, you’ll set yourself up for a lush, healthy lawn once the growing season begins. Stay proactive, and your lawn will thank you when the spring warmth arrives!