February Column in Velvet Magazine

February is a tricky month for so many of us and whether the groundhog sees a shadow or not on the 2nd February then the feeling that winter will never end can be expected but for the keen gardener there is actually a lot to do to get you in the mood for the joys of spring.

In past issues I have talked at length about the importance of a well-designed garden providing interest throughout the year, particularly important in winter (this can be achieved by incorporating winter flowering plants or plants that provide interest such as Hellebours, Daphne, Hamamelis, Viburnum, and of course snow drops) but for most people their garden during winter has gone into hibernation. Now that we are in February your garden is waking up like a sleeping giant/grizzly bear/ Sasquatch, (or whatever is your preferred cliché hibernating creature) rubbing tired eyes and smacking together dry lips. After an inclement winter, all gardens now need a good dose of tlc. This can start with cutting back deciduous and evergreen grasses, pruning back winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering, along with Wisteria and conservatory climbers such as Bougainvillea.

One of my favorite things to do in February is to go to my local garden centre with my two children, who on the whole are largely uninterested in gardening (unless it involves a plant that is getting in the way of a football goal) and pick out potatoe tubers to grow in our garden. This tradition started when they were tiny and ever since has been something that they like to get involved in. The best method for this is to grow new potatoes in bags/sacks. With the sides of the bag rolled down, a little bit of soil goes in the bottom and then, once chitted, the tubers are placed in the soil and covered. As they grow more soil is added and the sides of the bag are slowly pulled up. Growing vegetables is a good way to get children interested into horticulture and growing potatoes is great as they can visibly see growth, they are easy to look after and at the end they have something they can eat. I would avoid more refined tubers to start off with and instead go for varieties such as ‘Charlotte’, ‘Rocket’ (because it grows like a rocket) and ‘Pink Fur’. You might also want to select varieties that are ready to harvest at different times so you aren’t overwhelmed with potatoes! In the spirit of St Valentines Day, send some love this month to your garden and get ready for the joys that lie ahead.

©Velvet Magazine