February may still be one of the coldest months of the year, but it also offers the first real glimpse of spring. It’s also one of the best months to get ahead in your garden or allotment if you’re willing to wrap up warm and do these allotment jobs for february.
With the days getting noticeably longer from mid-month, now is the time to start preparing for the growing season ahead. However, don’t be fooled by those bright, crisp days—February still has a sting in its tail. Frost can creep into greenhouses, causing damage if you’re unprepared.
Easy Allotment Jobs for February
So, what should you be doing on the allotment this month? Here are some easy allotment jobs for February to keep you busy and get your plot ready for spring.
Chit Seed Potatoes
If you plan to grow potatoes this year, now is the time to start chitting them. Place seed potatoes in a cool, bright spot to encourage strong sprouts before planting. A windowsill, greenhouse, or unheated conservatory is perfect. Use an egg box or something similar to prop your potatoes up so that you get sprouts at the top as this makes them easier to plant.
2Get on Top of Weeds
Some eeds carry on growing, even in winter, but because of the shorter days, growth is slower. So if you find it difficult to stay on top of your weeds in summer, add weeding to your list of allotment jobs for February. By getting on top of the weeding now, you only have to do maintenance throughout the year.
Dig up any large pernicious weeds like Brambles, and hoe out smaller annual weeds. Annual weeds are also unlikely to have seeds in February, so you can put them in your compost heap without worrying that you will spread the seeds.
Leave Brassicas to Flower and Seed
If you have leftover brassicas such as kale or rocket, let some of them go to flower. Their bright yellow blooms are a valuable early food source for pollinators, and they will set seeds for future planting. They are also excellent for drawing in parasitic wasps that can help manage your caterpillar populations in Summer.
Mulch Beds and Refresh Paths
Adding a thick layer of organic mulch to your beds will help improve soil structure and protect it from winter rain. Wood chips, straw, or compost can also be used to refresh pathways and keep weeds at bay.
Plant Bare-Root Fruit Trees and Bushes
February is the ideal time to plant bare-root fruit trees and bushes. Apple, pear, raspberry, and blackcurrant plants will establish well before spring arrives. Just make sure to plant on a frost-free day.
Planting bare-root fruit trees and bushes is a really cost-effective way of adding continuous crops to your allotment. They beauty of growing fruit trees and bushes is that they will go on producing food without needing much input.
Prune Autumn Raspberries
Cut autumn-fruiting raspberry canes down to ground level to encourage strong new growth. These plants fruit on fresh growth, so you need to prune them every year to ensure a good crop, and that they don’t get out of hand.
Winter Prune Apple and Pear Trees
February is still a good time to winter prune apple and pear trees while they remain dormant. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches to improve airflow and shape the tree for future growth.
Making Time for Your Allotment Jobs in February
February is a time of preparation, and by putting in the work now, you will reap the benefits later in the year. Don’t be afraid to think big in February – let your imagination run wild!
All this being said, February can be a crazy month when it comes to the weather here in the UK. So, make sure to wrap up warm, and stay inside if it’s too wild out there. Remember planning is a job too!
Plan like a Pro with my Allotment Planner
Whether you want to start growing vegetables, or if you’re a seasoned pro its great to keep a notes to make sure you stay on track. I have come up with this handy planner that does just that.
It has space to write down all the seeds you want to sow for the year, and has monthly lists of what to sow indoors and outdoors, what to plant out and what to harvest. It also has dotted paper to help you plan our allotment or beds. It’s big enough to write in and small enough to tuck into your pocket or bag and take up to the allotment.
