Getting Ready for Spring: Alex’s February Gardening Advice
31.01.2025
Alex’s Gardening Tips for February
As winter slowly gives way to spring, there’s plenty to keep green-fingered gardeners busy. Here are some essential tasks to prepare your garden for the new season:
- Bulbs-in-the-Green: Missed planting spring-flowering bulbs in autumn? No problem! You can plant bulbs-in-the-green like tulips, daffodils, and snowdrops now for a stunning spring display.
- Feed Your Roses: Give your roses and flowering shrubs a boost by sprinkling a slow-release fertiliser, such as bonemeal, around their base. This will help them thrive as the growing season begins.
- Chit Your Potatoes: Start chitting your first early potatoes. Place them in a bright, frost-free spot to encourage strong, healthy shoots for planting.
- Protect Tender Plants: Make the most of cloches and cold frames to shield your tender plants from frosty nights and fluctuating temperatures.
- Dahlia Preparation: Plant dahlia tubers in pots and keep them in a light, warm place to encourage shoots to develop before planting out.
- Plant Garlic Cloves: Pop individual garlic cloves into the soil with the pointed end facing upwards. If the ground is too wet, start them off in modules indoors and transfer them outside in spring.
- Brighten with Hardy Bedding Plants: Fill hanging baskets and containers with hardy bedding plants like primrose and dianthus to add cheerful colour and interest that lasts through to spring.
Pop into Moss & Moor to find all the essentials you need to bring these tips to life. From bulbs to bonemeal, we’ve got you covered!
February Plants of the Month
Plant of the month
Camellia
Kerstin’s Tips for Growing Camellia
Hello, it’s Kerstin here! This month, I’ve chosen one of my all-time favourites – the beautiful camellia. These elegant blooms are a joy in the garden during the cooler months, and with the right care, they’ll thrive in our UK climate.
To grow camellias successfully, opt for hardy varieties such as Camellia japonica or Camellia x williamsii. Choose a sheltered spot with partial shade and well-drained acidic soil – they don’t like drying winds or harsh sunlight.
Plant your camellia in autumn or early spring, ensuring the root ball sits level with the soil surface. Water regularly, ideally with rainwater, as tap water can be too alkaline for these acid-loving plants. Add a generous layer of mulch to help lock in moisture and keep pesky weeds at bay.
Once your camellia has finished flowering, feed it with an ericaceous fertiliser to keep it looking lush and healthy. Prune lightly to tidy up any dead or crossing branches.
Young plants and developing buds can be vulnerable to frost, so protect them with a fleece or move containers to a sheltered spot when temperatures dip.
Finally, good air circulation and proper watering are key to avoiding common issues like bud drop or pests such as aphids and scale insects. A little care goes a long way to ensuring your camellia is the star of your garden for years to come.
Why not pop in-store and discover our selection of hardy camellias? They’ll bring a touch of elegance and colour to your outdoor spaces!
Houseplant of the month
Kentia Palm
(Howea forsteriana)
Hi, it’s David! This February, I’ve picked the elegant Kentia Palm as our houseplant of the month. Native to Lord Howe Island off Australia, this graceful beauty has been a favourite since Victorian times – it even graced the Titanic! Its timeless charm makes it a perfect addition to any home.
Not only does the Kentia Palm bring a touch of the tropics indoors, but it’s also air-purifying and pet-friendly – ideal for creating a healthier, happier home.
Here’s how to keep your Kentia Palm thriving:
Height: Indoors, it can grow up to 2–3 metres – though it’s a very slow grower, so be patient with it.
Light: Place it in bright but indirect light. While it can tolerate a little shade, avoid full sun as it can scorch the leaves.
Water: Wait until the top couple of inches of soil have dried out before watering. Keep the soil just moist and ensure it drains fully – no sitting in water!
Humidity: These palms love humidity, so mist the leaves regularly or pop them on a tray of damp pebbles.
Temperature: Keep your Kentia Palm in a warm spot between 18–24°C and never below 12°C.
The Kentia Palm is a wonderful way to bring effortless style and a calming atmosphere to your home. Why not visit Moss & Moor to pick one up and add a touch of greenery to your space?
looking after houseplants
