Time to venture outdoors
Hopefully it’s starting to feel like spring might be in the horizon. Wildlife is waking up and bulb shoots are peeking through the soil.
Get out in the garden and start pruning evergreen hedges and shrubs, along with climbers including Wisteria before they really start coming into growth. There’s lots to do indoors and out; here are five jobs to be getting on with…
Sow some seeds in the greenhouse and get veg seed beds ready.
Make sure you protect any blossom on peaches, apricots and nectarines
Cover veg and fruit crops with netting to keep the birds away
Winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering can be pruned.
Get sowing and planting
Sowing some seeds or planting bulbs will really help you believe that spring is not far away. There are plenty of flowers that you can be starting off. Dahlia tubers can be started into growth. Find a warm, light place for them where they can start to sprout before you plant them out. Use a spray bottle to give them a misting so they don’t dry out. You can plant lily bulbs in pots too. Keep indoors or in a cool greenhouse. Sow some hardy annual seeds in modules or pots now and sow sweet peas in a cool room, cold frame or under a cloche. Then start dreaming of all that lovely summer colour!
Woodland walks, Hyde Hall
Come and enjoy a walk around the woodlands of RHS Garden Hyde Hall. These one-hour guided walks take place every Tuesday in February, 11am to 12noon. Please come dressed for the weather! Hot soup and a roll is available afterwards at £4. There is no charge for the walks but normal garden admission applies.
Snowdrop displays, 5 Feb, Rosemoor
It’s lovely to see the snowdrops appear – it is a sign that winter is on its way out and that spring will be on its way (hopefully) soon. Find out more about this delightful plant, its species and cultivars, as Jo Hynes, who owns the snowdrop collection at Cherubeer Gardens, gives a talk and demonstration entitled ‘Snowdrops in the Winter Garden‘. Then after lunch take a tour of RHS Garden Rosemoor to see its collection of snowdrops. 11am-3.30pm. £18 for members, £28 for non-members. Please call 020 31765830 to book quoting ref 11477.
Listen to the latest RHS podcast
Listen to our latest podcast, where we offer seasonal information, you can hear tips on growing fruit and veg, and get up-to-the-minute help and advice.
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