Allotment & Gardening in February: Preparing for Spring

UKSN
Feb 1
2 min read

February marks the transition from winter to the first signs of spring. While the weather can still be cold and unpredictable, longer days mean it’s time to start preparing for the growing season ahead.

Allotment & Gardening in February: Preparing for Spring Feature Image

Allotment Tasks to Tackle in February

Now is the perfect time to finish winter pruning, especially for fruit trees like apples and pears, as well as soft fruit bushes such as raspberries and currants. If you haven’t already, chit early potatoes by placing them in a cool, light space to sprout before planting in March.

With frost still a possibility, take the chance to prepare your soil by adding well-rotted manure or compost, giving it time to settle before planting in your allotment. It’s also a great time to check your seed stock and start planning your planting schedule for the months ahead.

What to Grow and Harvest

February is when you can start sowing seeds indoors—onions, leeks, early tomatoes, and chillies all benefit from an early start in a warm environment. If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, hardy greens like lettuce, spinach, and spring onions can also be sown.

Outdoors, you can plant bare-root fruit trees and bushes while they’re still dormant, as well as early varieties of broad beans and peas if the ground isn’t too frozen. If you planted winter vegetables, you might still be harvesting parsnips, leeks, kale, and Brussels sprouts.

While February can feel like a waiting game, a little preparation now will make all the difference once the growing season kicks in. Take advantage of the quiet before the spring rush and get everything in place for a productive year ahead!