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Jobs for February

With plenty to do before the growing season kicks into gear once more February can be a busy, if cold month in the fruit and vegetable garden. Sue Hoy, head gardener at Normanby Hall in North Lincolnshire brings you a round up of the top tasks for your plot this month

Sow broad beans

I find that autumn-sown broad beans often suffer from the fungal disease chocolate spot, so prefer to sow them in spring; spring sowing is also better suited to colder areas of the country, or plots on cold, heavy soils. Harvesting is generally only a little later, especially if you get a head start by sowing with some protection.

In my opinion, both beans and peas are best sown in modules in a cold greenhouse or cold frame. Direct sowings are susceptible to attacks by both birds and mice, and if the season is late or very wet, the seed tends to rot before it can germinate. Sowing in modules produces strong, healthy plants for planting out as soon as weather conditions improve, and because there is no root disturbance, there is no check to growth.
Use six-pack modules for beans, 10-packs for peas.

Fill the modules with compost, push one seed into each compartment, then tap the tray on the bench to cover the seed. Water, and put in a light place. They don’t need heat to germinate – somewhere frost-free will do.

KG top tips

• Don’t be tempted to start sowing outdoors too soon – even if the weather is mild. Sowing times on seed packets are just an indication; soil types and weather conditions vary so much throughout the country, you need to use your own judgement. Seed sown into cold wet soil will rot, and you’ll have to repeat the process again.

• If you garden on heavy soil, but have managed to finish your winter digging, consider covering part of your plot with clear polythene or cloches. This will keep it dry and help to warm it up so that you can sow earlier than you might otherwise manage.

• Sort out seed trays, pots and modules ready for the seed-sowing rush at the end of this month. Ideally wash them in hot soapy water – nine times out of 10, this won’t make a difference, but faced with a tray of seedlings dying because they’re damping off, you might wish you’d taken the precaution.

KG quickies

• If your veg plot is bordered by grass paths or lawn, consider edging it with timber to make maintenance easier and prevent weeds straying into the plot. The timber should be set level with the grass. Slates, pantiles or bricks set at an angle a couple of inches above the level of the grass can look attractive too, and form an edging which makes it easy to strim against without damaging crops.

• If you garden on heavy clay, growing crops on raised beds is worth considering. The raised beds should have better drainage and warm up more quickly in spring. Make sure that you break up the clay forming the base of the bed first though, or you may make drainage problems worse.

• Use a notebook to record sowing/planting and harvesting times, as well as the varieties selected and their position on the plot. This is invaluable for recording which varieties have been successful and for planning crop rotation to avoid a build-up of pests and diseases.

For lots more advice, see this month's issue, available to buy online!

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