Get sowing! (Image: Getty)
Gardening guru Monty Don has outlined essential tasks for February that keen gardeners shouldn’t overlook. As Spring draws nearer, the coming month presents the perfect window for sowing particular varieties.
The nation’s favourite horticultural expert, famed for hosting BBC’s Gardeners’ World, explained that there is “a lot to do in the garden to get it ready for Spring, and it becomes really important to use what good weather there is.”
Written on his February blog, he emphasised that it’s “not too early to start sowing seeds under cover, moving plants in the borders or adding new ones and certainly planting any bare-root trees, shrubs or hedges should be completed by the end of the month.”
1. Rocket
Described as “deliciously peppery and succulent”, this versatile leaf creates “a delicious early spring salad leaf.” February is the “best time to sow it as it germinates very fast and will grow in relatively cool weather, whereas most lettuce needs warmer conditions to grow well.”
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Monty advises that seeds can either be sown directly into the ground or started in plugs under cover before transplanting once the seedlings have established themselves. Whichever method you choose, ensure adequate spacing of approximately 6 to 9 inches between each plant.
This encourages a strong root system, resulting in more vigorous growth and a greater leaf yield. Harvest by cutting leaves as needed and they will regrow quickly. “Another advantage of sowing rocket at this time of year is that it avoids flea beetle – which will leave a rocket leaf pinpricked with scores of tiny holes, each one of which callouses and makes the leaves tough to eat”, he added.
2. Chillies
These plants require “a long growing season” and therefore, “sowing them early in the year gives a chance of a strong plant developing.” For optimal results, scatter the seeds thinly across general purpose compost in either seed trays or pots, then place them somewhere warm.
The ideal environment would be a heated mat or propagator, as they require a minimum temperature of 20C for germination. “Once they have germinated, give them as much light as possible.
“A greenhouse helps, but a windowsill will do. The seedlings will grow slowly at first – so don’t worry if they seem to be stalling whilst other seedlings are growing more quickly.”
Once the seedlings are large enough to handle safely, transfer them to individual pots. Opt for slightly smaller pots as this creates beneficial stress on the plant, encouraging greater fruit production. The gardening expert recommends a weekly feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser, such as homemade nettle feed, to encourage robust, bushy growth. By mid-May, the plants should be ready for potting on or planting out.
As soon as the first blooms appear, it’s time to switch to a high-potash feed. Liquid seaweed is an excellent choice to support flowering and fruiting. It’s also crucial to avoid overwatering and maintain warmth for the plants throughout the growing season.
3. Tomatoes
The gardening expert recommends sowing these in two separate batches, stating: “The first in February and another in March or even April, both to stagger the harvest and as an insurance against bad weather. I scatter the seed thinly on the surface of peat-free compost in a seed tray and then very lightly cover them either with a layer of more compost or of vermiculite. Water them well and put them in a warm spot to germinate.”
After the seedlings emerge, they require maximum light exposure. Once they produce their first pair of “true leaves” – distinguishable from the initial seed leaves by their tomato-like appearance – the plants will have established roots and be ready for pricking out. You can then transfer them into individual pots or plugs containing quality compost, allowing them to develop into robust young plants ready for outdoor planting in May.
4. Broad Beans
“If the ground is at all workable then I always try and sow some broad beans in February for an early crop. As soon as the soil warms up a little and the days get longer, they will have had enough of a start to provide a picking a week or so earlier than the later ones – and that is a treat worth preparing for”, the gardening expert said.
Whilst broad beans are legumes that enrich the soil with nitrogen, they thrive best in ground supplemented with generous amounts of organic matter. Space the seeds approximately 8 inches apart in double rows, leaving roughly a foot between the two lines and about 3 feet between each pair of double rows.
“You can draw a drill and place the beans in it and then cover them back over or, as I do, simply push each bean directly into the prepared soil. The best variety to use for these early beans is ‘Aquadulce’ although ‘Witkiem’ does well too”, he recommends.
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