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GARDENING
February gardening Lawn care

tips from Dobbies Nigel says you can get your lawn prepared for

its first cut of the season in spring by giving
it a nutrient boost in February. Start with
aerating your lawn by creating holes, either
with an aerator or garden fork, to prevent your
garden flooding after heavy rainfall. Now is
also the time to lightly rake your lawn of any
debris such as moss or dead grass to allow
Dobbie’s Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton shares insights on preparing sunlight through. You should also make sure
your garden for the year ahead. to regularly clean paths, patios and decking of
moss and debris as these can make surfaces
slippery when wet or frozen.

s early spring bulbs like daffodils and Dobbies says you can do in February to set Planting
snowdrops bring your garden to life yourself in good stead for the warmer seasons. In late February, if the weather warms up, Nigel
A this February, Dobbies says there’s no says you can plant summer flowering bulbs in
better time to get set for spring. The garden Propagation containers for vibrancy later in the year. Lilies Vegetable patch
centre’s Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton says work well in pots for a fragrant display, ideal for February is the time to remove any weeds from
February is an essential time in the gardeners’ Nigel says February is the perfect time to get doorsteps or patios, and upright and trailing your vegetable beds, and to prevent future
calendar to prepare for the year ahead and ahead of the growing season by sowing seeds begonia tubers can be planted now for eye- weeds, Nigel suggests mulching well with
organise a planting schedule. and growing young plants indoors. Not only
does this give you a head start on growing these catching summer hanging baskets. plenty of peat-free soil improver and covering
plants outside when the weather warms up, with a black weed membrane to control weed
Whether you’re tending to a compact city Nigel says now is a great time to plant new growth. This will also help to warm the soil for
garden or sprawling outdoor space, here’s what but as seeds and young plants are more cost- when you’re ready to plant again in spring.
effective than mature plants, it’s an economical roses and recommends shopping Dobbies’
way to fill your containers with colour. Nigel exclusive range of roses that will give your
recommends propagating summer flowering garden a beautiful fragrance and timeless look. Nigel says you can start chitting your seed
plants like begonias and geraniums as these potatoes now to encourage new shoots to form
will give you early colour in your garden. For instant colour in February, Nigel before you plant out in March. To do this, stand
recommends freshening pots, hanging baskets your seed potatoes upright in a tray container
If you’re unsure where to start, Nigel and window boxes with early season primroses, with the ‘eyes’ facing upwards and keep them
suggests using a propagator to germinate violas and pansies. Potted spring bulbs can be in a bright, frost-free place.
seeds and encourage young plants, planted in the gaps to extend displays into the
placing them somewhere warm coming months. New fruit trees and bushes such as potted
and bright like a greenhouse, on a raspberry canes can be planted now, but Nigel
sunny windowsill indoors, or under If you’re planting in February, Nigel suggests says you should ensure you cut old canes of
a grow light. Seeds you can sow keeping an eye on the weather and if raspberries to the ground so new stems can
now include cosmos, sweet pea, temperatures are likely to drop, make sure you grow in their place. Apple and pear trees and
marigold, lavender and foxglove, protect tender plants with fleeces or coverings. soft fruit bushes should also be pruned now.
and if you’re keen to grow your You can also add a layer of protection to flower
own, you can sow kale, peppers, beds and give plants a nutrient boost at the
tomatoes, aubergines, broad same time by mulching with a good quality For more gardening advice, and to find your
beans and cucumber now. peat-free compost. nearest Dobbies store, visit dobbies.com.

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