The Yarden in February

What to Sow in February

This is the perfect month to start sowing seeds under cover, giving them a little encouragement before the real warmth of spring arrives. Here’s what’s going into the soil (or onto my windowsills!) this month:

Vegetables

• Broad Beans—The Sutton is a compact, bushy variety perfect for smaller spaces like my raised bed. Broad beans are tough little things and can handle the cold, so they’re already tucked into their trays, dreaming of spring.

• Chillies & Peppers – If you want a good harvest, February is the time to start them off indoors. They need a long growing season, so a sunny windowsill or a heated propagator will keep them happy.

• Lettuce & Salad Leaves – If you’re itching for fresh greens, sowing cut-and-come-again varieties in trays or modules indoors will give you an early start.

• Spinach & Chard – These cold-hardy greens can be started now undercover and moved outside once temperatures settle.

• Tomatoes (for the brave!) – I’m holding off on tomatoes for now, but if you have the setup for it, February is when some gardeners start them indoors.

Flowers

A garden without flowers is like tea without biscuits – possible, but why would you? This year, I’ve treated myself to some absolute stunners:

Garden Jobs for February

Even though it’s still a bit chilly, there are plenty of jobs to keep me busy:

✅ Tidy up the garden – The winter storms have thrown twigs, leaves, and the odd rogue plant pot all over the Yarden. A good tidy-up makes everything feel ready for spring.

✅ Sort out seed trays & pots – I always promise to wash them after the season ends… and never do. February is a great time to get them clean and ready for new seedlings.

✅ Feed the soil – Before planting anything outside, I’ll be adding well-rotted compost and organic matter to my raised bed and containers to replenish nutrients.

✅ Prune fruit bushes & trees – Any apple or pear trees need a little snip now before they start growing again.

✅ Prune the roses – February is the perfect time to give roses a tidy-up before they put on new growth. I’ve been out with my secateurs, making sure they’re shaped up nicely for the season ahead.

✅ Plant bulbs 'in the green' – I’ve added some bulbs to my window boxes while they’re still in active growth. This should give them a great start, and I can’t wait to see them bloom!

✅ Plan out the growing space – With all these new seeds, I need to make sure I actually have space for them all. (Note to self: Maybe don’t buy any more seeds. Haha, who am I kidding?)

✅ Keep an eye on overwintering plants – Checking my garlic, onions, and other hardy crops to make sure they’re happy and not drowning in all this Irish rain.

✅ Encourage early pollinators – Snowdrops, crocuses, and hellebores are out now, giving early bees something to snack on. I’ll also be leaving little water dishes around in case any thirsty pollinators drop by.

Looking Ahead

February is a month of preparation and patience, but there’s something exciting about seeing those first seedlings emerge. Soon, the Yarden will be bursting into life again, and I can’t wait to share the journey!