February Gardening Jobs 2026: Essential Checklist & Tips

February brings the first real signs of spring to UK gardens. With daylight hours steadily increasing and early bulbs like snowdrops putting on a display, the 2026 growing season is officially underway. These essential tasks will set your garden up for success this year.

Soil Preparation

Begin by clearing garden beds of winter debris and persistent weeds. If your soil is workable (not frozen or waterlogged), dig in well-rotted manure or garden compost to boost fertility levels. Cover prepared beds with horticultural fleece or cloches; this warms the soil a few degrees, making it ready for earlier sowing in March. It is also the ideal time to test your soil pH and apply lime if your soil is too acidic for your planned crops.

Essential Pruning

February is often your last chance for winter pruning of apple and pear trees while they remain dormant. Aim to remove crossing, dead, or diseased branches to maintain an open, goblet-shaped structure that allows light in.

• Clematis: Cut back late-summer flowering clematis (Group 3) stems to about 30cm from ground level.
• Wisteria: Trim side shoots to 2-3 buds from their base to encourage flowering spurs.
• Roses: Ensure you remove old rose leaves from around the base of plants to prevent blackspot spores from overwintering.

Flowers Tasks Checklist - Feb 2026

Task	Recommended Time	Tools Required	Tips
Apply slow-release fertiliser	Mid Feb	Fertiliser	Sprinkle around base of shrubs/roses
Trim back deciduous grasses	Early Feb	Shears	Cut before new green shoots appear
Prune winter-blooming shrubs	Late Feb	Secateurs	Prune immediately after flowering finishes
Divide snowdrops	Late Feb	Hand fork	Lift and divide 'in the green' after flowering
Pot up lilies/summer bulbs	Mid Feb	Pots, Compost	Keep in a frost-free greenhouse
Cut back Group 3 Clematis	Mid Feb	Secateurs	Cut to strong buds 30cm from ground

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Starting Seeds & Early Harvests

You can now begin sowing hardy annuals like cornflowers and sweet peas in a heated propagator. For kitchen gardeners, it is time to start chillies, aubergines, and tomatoes indoors to give them the long growing season they need. Place early potato varieties in egg boxes to 'chit' in a cool, bright spot.

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Veg Tasks Checklist - Feb 2026

Task	Timing	Tools Required	Essential Tips
Prepare seed beds	Early Feb	Fork, Rake	Warm soil with cloches 2 weeks before sowing
Chit potato tubers	All Month	Egg boxes	Keep in a light, cool room (approx 10°C)
Sow Broad Beans	Late Feb	Trowel	Sow directly under cloches if soil is not frozen
Feed fruit trees	Late Feb	Sulphate of Potash	Apply before bud burst; water in well
Plant Rhubarb	Early Feb	Spade, Manure	Plant new crowns with plenty of organic matter
Force Strawberries	Mid Feb	Cloches/Heater	Cover plants to encourage early flowering

Note: February weather in the UK is notoriously unpredictable. Adjust these tasks based on your local conditions—if the ground is frozen, wait for a thaw.

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Greenhouse Structures

While the garden is dormant, check your structures. A sturdy wooden potting shed is invaluable now for organizing pots and trays. If you are limited on space, a lean to greenhouse makes excellent use of a sunny wall. For standard greenhouses, ensure the glass is clean to maximise available light levels—essential if you are overwintering tender plants.

Greenhouse Tasks Checklist - Feb 2026

Task	Frequency	Tools Required	Tips
Clean Glass	Once	Hot water, sponge	Maximise light for seedlings
Check Heater	Daily	Thermometer	Ensure night temps don't drop below 5°C
Water Overwintering Plants	Weekly	Can	Water sparingly; avoid wetting foliage
Sow Tomatoes/Peppers	Mid Feb	Propagator	Requires heat (18-21°C) to germinate
Check for Pests	Weekly	Magnifying glass	Look for overwintering aphids or whitefly

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Wildlife, Lawns & Planning

• Wildlife Support: Position nest boxes now. Continue feeding birds with high-energy foods like fat balls.
• Lawn Maintenance: Stay off the grass during frosty mornings. Recut edges if you have a mild spell to tidy the appearance.
• Planning Ahead: Review your crop rotation plan. Clean pots and seed trays with hot soapy water to prevent disease.

Weekly Maintenance Schedule - Feb 2026

Week	Task	Priority
Week 1	Clean greenhouse glass & service heaters	High
Week 1	Prune apple/pear trees & wisteria	High
Week 2	Sow tomatoes & chillies (indoors/heated)	Medium
Week 2	Prep veg beds (cover with fleece)	Medium
Week 3	Chit potatoes & plant shallots	Medium
Week 4	Mulch borders & cut back grasses	Low
Throughout	Check stored tubers (Dahlias) for rot	Low

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Common Questions