Subscribe today!
Joyce Russell

Undercover

February can be the coldest month of the year, bringing severe frosts and snow as well as winds that chill to the bone. Winds from the east are coldest of all, but if they swing to the west it can be a hint that warmer weather is on its way. Cold or not, the greenhouse and polytunnel are protected spaces. They can be ready to spring into action much earlier and faster than the ground outdoors. It’s time to start sowing for summer crops.

Hot tip for the month


Tip of the month

Herbs grown in containers under cover will be ready for use much earlier than ones grown outside. Chives get a really early start and they will keep going for most of the year. Pots can be moved outdoors once the weather warms up.

Jobs that need doing now

● Sow tomatoes and peppers

● Support peas

● Feed growing plants

● Think about a grapevine

● Keep harvesting

● Ventilate on warm days

A note on frost

February can sometimes bring temperatures so low that even plants under cover start to freeze. This can be fatal for some plants, but most under-cover crops should be pretty hardy at this point. If plants do freeze, fill a watering can with cool (not freezing, or warm) water and pour this over any affected foliage. The idea is to melt any ice before the sun hits. Plants may look a bit sorry for themselves for a few days, but many will make a full recovery.
Of course, it is best to cover plants with an extra insulating layer if a really hard frost is forecast.

Grapevines

These do well in an unheated greenhouse, but they can also be a success in a polytunnel. The slightly damper environment can lead to problems with mildew in a wet summer, but in a hot summer you can get bumper crops. It is certainly worth the effort if you like grapes. Choose varieties carefully.
A vine will be a fixture for many years. It is best to choose a seedless dessert variety unless you are keen on making wine. Grapevines are often planted in early winter, but if you buy one grown in a pot it will do well from a February planting. Try to root the plant outside the structure, or it will compete for nutrients in the covered borders – you’ll also be kept busy watering!

Aubergines

Aubergines
If you sowed seed last month, seedlings should be well up and will be ready for pricking out into individual pots. Use 7.5cm (3in) pots filled with good compost. Be careful not to damage roots, or leaves, when lifting seedlings.
Firm compost gently to make sure there are no air pockets round the roots. Water lightly so the root-run is moist but not soggy – you don’t want to encourage damping off.


Problems to watch out for in February


• Slugs and snails become active as soil temperatures rise. This happens much sooner under cover than it does outdoors.

• Temperatures can rise above 20C (68F) on bright February days. Be sure to ventilate as needed, but remember to close windows and doors at night.

• Plants that look weak or discoloured may need a nutrient boost. Liquid feeds will get into the system fairly rapidly, but a foliar spray will work faster again.

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