Subscribe Feed (RSS)In my part of the world (central England) February is often a dismal month of cold, damp mists and the days still short. However, the herb gardener can brighten up the season with thoughts of what is to come.
If you’ve not already done so in January, plan what you’re going to grow this year and order your herb seeds now. (Click on the above link to find recommended online sources in both England and North America).
Out of doors, when the weather is kind, you can be preparing the soil. If you’re changing the use of an area you may have to do some energetic digging. Removal of weeds, especially those awkward perennials with underground stems and widespread roots, can be time consuming but in the long run the effort will be repaid.
Double digging will improve drainage, and while you’re doing this you can mix in some sharp sand or grit if necessary. Depending on what you are planning to grow you might also wish to add some garden compost or manure to enrich the soil, although many herbs are perfectly happy in poor soils.
Continue also with any construction projects started in January - or start them if they never passed the thinking stage! How about making some window boxes in which to combine herbs for the kitchen and flowers for decoration?
Toward the end of the month, if you live in an area where severe future cold is unlikely, you can start to divide clumps of perennial herbs that have grown too big and need some rejuvenation. In the greenhouse you can be commencing the sowing season, and also rooting some early cuttings.
Tags: February, garden calendar, gardening, growing herbs, herb garden, herb seeds
