OUTDOORLIVING
YOUR GARDEN THIS MONTH :
FEBRUARY
TOP 10 JOBS THIS MONTH
1 . Prepare vegetable seed beds , and sow some vegetables under cover
2 . Chit potato tubers
3 . Protect blossom on apricots , nectarines and peaches
4 . Net fruit and vegetable crops to keep the birds off
5 . Prune winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering
6 . Divide bulbs such as snowdrops , and plant those that need planting ' in the green '
7 . Prune wisteria
8 . Prune hardy evergreen hedges and renovate overgrown deciduous hedges
9 . Prune conservatory climbers such as bougainvillea
10 . Cut back deciduous grasses left uncut over the winter , remove dead grass from evergreen grasses
CHIT POTATO TUBERS
Place tubers on a tray in a single layer with the ‘ rose ’ end uppermost . This end has the most eyes or buds and sprouts will arise from them . Keep trays of tubers in a cool , frost-free place with moderate light , such as an unheated room and avoid direct sunlight .
Sprouts form within a few weeks and , after about six weeks , shoots should be 5cm ( 2in ) long and dark coloured . High temperatures and dark conditions encourage unsatisfactory pale , leggy shoots .
Choose about four strong shoots and rub off the weaker shoots for early potatoes , but there is no need to thin shoots for later crops .
Tubers can be chitted from January , but planting should be delayed until March in sheltered and southern areas or April in less favourable areas . If weather is unsuitable for planting , tubers can be left to chit further – even until May without too much crop loss .
HOW TO PROTECT BLOSSOM
Most potential fruit damage can be avoided by choosing a site where spring frosts are least likely , but this is seldom an option for gardeners :
Planting fruit in a sunny , sheltered position such as a south-facing wall – this is especially appropriate for early flowering crops such as apricots , peaches and nectarines . If this is not possible consider using fleece to cover and protect the flowers and developing crop on nights when frost is forecast . Cherries , peaches , nectarines and apricots are easier to train on walls and in the case of patio fruit are readily covered in fleece or , if potted , brought under protection on cold nights .
How To Divide Snowdrops ‘ In The Green ’ This method is often used for snowdrops ( Galanthus ) and snowflakes ( Leucojum ) as they do not re-establish well when planted as dry bulbs . The corms of hardy cyclamen and the rhizomes of wood anemone ( Anemone nemorosa ) may also fail to establish when planted in a dry state .
Lift the bulbs with their leaves on when the soil is moist , using a border or hand fork . Carefully tease the clumps of bulbs apart by hand , trying to avoid damaging the roots . Ideally , replant singly , spacing them at least two bulb widths ’ apart . Where large clumps include small seedlings , replant the bulbs in small clusters . Plant to the same depth as before , indicated by a change in stem colour from green to white . Water in thoroughly to settle the roots .
The RHS is a UK charity established to share the best in gardening . Their work is driven by a simple love of plants and the belief that gardeners make the world a better place .
For more information visit www . rhs . org . uk
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