How to Garden in Unpredictable Weather

A Guide to Thrive Alfresco this February

Characterised by dark days and still-wintry weather, February, at first, may feel like a dreary month for gardeners and green-fingered folk. Yet, if you look closely enough, you will find subtle signs of spring's imminent arrival and the perfect excuse to get back out in the garden. Think of February as the month to lay the groundwork, do the all-important maintenance, and prepare a foundation that will ensure a beautiful springtime bloom.

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The Month of Maintenance

Make sure you are feeling flexible this February. When gardening in unpredictable weather, which you can certainly count during this month, it is essential to adapt and accommodate to the everchanging conditions of the outdoors and loosen your grip on any rigid pre-plans you might have. When it comes to doing the garden maintenance, only embrace what mother nature allows.

Following torrential downpours and bouts of bitter cold, consider soil that is frozen or waterlogged to be set to 'do not disturb' mode and better left alone. On milder days, make the most of the opportunity to enjoy being in your garden by doing the simple tasks. From clearing fallen leaves and dead plant material to nourishing your soil with compost and well-rotted manure, prep and prime your garden to reduce the risk of pests and diseases.

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Winter Pruning

Albeit a quieter month out in the garden, late winter is perhaps the prime time for pruning. While your trees, shrubs and hedges are in their dormant season, they will not only heal faster but also be encouraged to grow vigorously come spring by an improved airflow and increased reception of light when the sunnier seasons appear.

As with many aspects of home decorating, it is often the attention to detail that makes the final picture thrive. Inspire rejuvenation in your garden by removing any damaged, diseased or dead branches, and refresh your gardening tools for clean, easy and healthy cuts. While pruning is perhaps a chore not all gardeners are excited to tackle, starting small is a great way to set up your garden for success. After all, it is much easier to cut more off than it is to add back on.

Each plant wonderfully and uniquely different to the next, you should always try to follow individual pruning requirements. February will host the foundational practices that will inevitably allow your apple trees, butterfly bushes and roses to flourish.

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Sow for Success

This February, get a head-start on your growing year by starting to sow seeds undercover and planting bare-root trees and shrubs. With certain plants, the earlier they're sowed, the longer their season of growth is and the better chance they have to successfully fruit. Particularly towards the end of the month when the temperature slowly starts to rise, vegetables, fruits and herbs such as kale, tomatoes and basil have a good chance of germinating when kept on a sunny windowsill. However, if you find your green-fingers twitching before then, a heated propagator will provide consistent warmth and accelerate this process, even while it's still frigid outdoors.

For those itching to begin digging, fruits such as raspberry canes, rhubarb crowns, bare-root strawberries and blackcurrant canes can all be suitable for planting at this time of year in soil that is not frozen or waterlogged. For a wonderful harvest, always be sure to research the individual needs and ideal conditions of the specific fruit before planting.

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Bring The Alfresco Flair

No garden is truly complete without adding the perfect accessories and furnishings in order to bring charm and character to your outside space. After pruning and preparing throughout the slower months, reap the rewards of your winter efforts by kicking back and relaxing alfresco style with our outdoor furniture options when those long-awaited sunny days finally arrive.

Whether you're making a decorative statement with our regal stag ornaments or prefer the more subtle finishing touches, introduce personality and stylish flair to your garden with our outdoor décor collection. While we wait out the rest of the winter weather and ready ourselves for springtime growth, our garden accessories will help bring liveliness back to the backyard even in the chilliest of times.