February Allotment Tips
February is an exciting month on the allotment, as the new growing season begins to gather pace. Although frosts are still a risk, there’s plenty you can do to prepare for the busy months ahead.
🌱 Here are our top tips for February:
- ❄️ Avoid planting tender crops outdoors too early, as late frosts can still cause damage.
- 🌱 Sow seeds indoors or under glass to give them a healthy head start.
- 🥔 Continue chitting your seed potatoes so they’re ready for planting.
- 🌳 Plant and prune fruit trees while they’re still dormant.
- 🌿 Prepare beds by clearing weeds and adding compost where the soil is workable.
- 🧰 Clean seed trays, pots and tools ready for the busy sowing season.
- 💧 Keep an eye on the weather and protect young plants during cold spells.
- 📋 Finish planning your crop rotation and make sure you have all your seeds ready.
🌿 Jobs for February
February is all about preparing for spring while making the most of the first sowing opportunities of the year.
This month’s key jobs include:
- Continue chitting seed potatoes in a cool, bright place.
- Sow hardy vegetables outdoors where conditions allow.
- Start tender crops indoors or in a greenhouse.
- Plant garlic, shallots and Jerusalem artichokes.
- Prune fruit trees and bushes before new growth begins.
- Prepare beds with compost or well-rotted manure.
- Repair raised beds, paths and supports if needed.
- Clean greenhouses and seed trays ready for spring.
- Protect young plants from late frosts with fleece or cloches.
- Keep weeding and tidying your plot whenever the weather allows.
🌱 What to Sow in February
As the days begin to lengthen, February offers plenty of opportunities to get growing, whether outdoors or under cover.
Sow outdoors (weather permitting)
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Early carrots
- Early lettuce
- Early peas
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Broad beans
Sow indoors or under glass
- Beans
- Tomatoes
- Chillies
- Parsnips
- Brussels sprouts
- Peppers
- Aubergines
- Cucumbers
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Leeks
- Onions
If you’re in the southern UK, February is a great month to get a head start on sowing. In cooler northern regions, you may need to hold off a few weeks until conditions improve.
Despite the unpredictable weather, February offers the perfect opportunity to focus on indoor sowing and allotment maintenance. By preparing now, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when spring arrives.