What to do in the garden in February

In the garden

Almond blossom signals the end of winter, although inland there can still be the odd frosty night. Keep the fleece to hand until the end of the month.

Spread 2-3 cm of compost or well-rotted manure over the beds and mix it into the top layer of soil. That way it reaches the roots just as the plants start growing again.

Lawn

Clear leaves and debris so light can get in. If there are mossy or waterlogged patches, aerate the soil by spiking it with a garden fork. Wait until March to reseed bare patches.

Watering

Keep watering light. If it rains, switch off the timer and turn it back on when the soil is dry to about 5 cm deep. Check filters and drippers before spring arrives.

Pruning

• Roses: cut back to 3-5 buds per stem and remove old wood.
• Olive trees: prune after the harvest, opening up the centre to let light in.
• Summer-flowering shrubs, such as crape myrtle or outdoor hibiscus.
• Palms: still a good time, always with the cuts treated.

Don’t prune spring-flowering shrubs such as lilac or Japanese quince now, or you’ll lose the flowers.

Vegetables and fruit trees

Finish pruning persimmons and stone fruit trees before they come into leaf. Prepare the beds by digging them over and adding organic fertiliser. You can sow tomatoes, peppers and aubergines in a sheltered seed tray to plant out in April.

Plants of the month

• The last bare-root fruit trees and roses.
• Rosemary, lavender and thyme for dry borders.
• Summer bulbs such as gladioli and irises.

Hedra’s tip

In La Costera the almond flowers early, and a late frost can take the blossom. If you’re planting a new one, look for late-flowering varieties and put it somewhere slightly raised, away from the valley floor, where cold air settles at night. At the garden centre we can help you choose a variety that suits your plot.