February Gardening Jobs: Your Essential Checklist

Despite the cold and often wet conditions, there are still plenty of essential jobs that can be carried out to prepare gardens, lawns and outdoor spaces for the months ahead. Knowing what is appropriate to tackle during February can be tricky, particularly when balancing enthusiasm with practicality. This guide outlines what can—and should—be done this month, whether you’re a domestic gardener looking after your own plot or a professional responsible for lawns, estates and outdoor areas.

While the ground is wet, avoid standing or working on it wherever possible to prevent soil compaction. Even aeration or spiking of turf should only be carried out when soils are dry enough to cope with foot traffic or machinery.

February is an ideal time to check that all equipment is ready for the busy season ahead. Ensure sprayers, accessories and spare parts are clean, functional and in good working order so there are no delays once spring arrives.

Paths, patios and pavements should be kept clean and algae-free to ensure they remain safe to walk on and do not become slip hazards. This is particularly important for professional sites, public areas and shared access points. Softwashing products and hard surface cleaning solutions are recommended to keep surfaces clear and safe.

The colder months are also perfect for soil analysis. Understanding your soil’s nutrient content helps inform better decisions when choosing fertilisers or conditioners for lawns, paddocks, borders or vegetable plots. Soil analysis kits provide clear recommendations for products to improve soil health and performance.

For those managing gardens at home, February is also a good time to:

• Clean out unused plant pots ready for spring potting
• Refill bird feeders, as wildlife still needs support during cold weather

Lawns typically see little visible growth in February, but there is still plenty that can be done behind the scenes.

Check turf for signs of disease and treat accordingly where required. Fungicides may be appropriate in certain situations, particularly for professionally managed lawns.

Continue removing worm casts where possible. For best results, wait until casts are dry before brushing them in using a soil conditioner. This is an ideal non-pesticidal approach that helps maintain surface quality on both domestic and professional lawns.

Moss often becomes more noticeable during winter. If conditions are not frosty, moss control can begin this month. Applying moss control granules or liquid treatments, such as Maxicrop No 2 Moss Killer and Lawn Conditioner, will help prepare lawns for spring recovery.

Most grass seed requires soil temperatures of 8–10°C to germinate. However, patch repairs can be made using specialist winter grass seed options that germinate at temperatures as low as 5°C, such as A1 Lawn Cool Start Grass Seed. This is particularly useful for high-wear or professionally maintained turf areas.

Additional February lawn considerations:

• Avoid unnecessary foot traffic on wet turf
• Arrange soil analysis to guide future lawn treatments

February weather can be harsh on trees, shrubs and hedges, so inspections are important.

Check all trees, shrubs and hedges for wind damage or root rock. Where damage is present, products such as Arbor Gold Fertiliser can be used to support recovery and encourage healthy regrowth.

Hardy evergreen plants can be pruned this month, though more sensitive species should be left until conditions improve. Pruning now can help improve shape, airflow and overall plant health.

Stop woody trees and shrubs from regrowing after cutting by using clean, efficient Ecoplug stump control.

Box hedging should be monitored carefully during wet weather, as box blight can strike at this time of year and should be dealt with promptly if identified. Read our guide to box blight treatment.

Other key February tasks include:

• Trimming winter-flowering hedges
• Pruning trees and overgrown or misshapen hedges
• Cutting back vigorous vine plants such as Virginia creeper to prevent obstruction of windows, gutters or roof tiles

Sowing early gives plants a head start once spring arrives, particularly when protected by greenhouses, cold frames or cloches.

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Chillies
• Aubergines
• Kale
• Basil

• Geraniums
• Japanese anemones
  

• Broad beans
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Salad crops such as lettuce and cabbage
  (Cold frame or cloche protection may be beneficial)

• Cosmos
• Sweet peas
• Salvias
• Lilies
• Bare root roses
• Eucomis
• Liatris
• Agapanthus
• Galtonia
• Pansies
• Primroses

Gardens can be weeded at any time of year, including February, provided conditions are suitable. Avoid weeding during snow, ice or hard frosts, and take care not to disturb overly wet soil.

If using herbicides, it’s best to wait until spring when warmer temperatures encourage active weed growth. Always read product instructions carefully, as many weed control treatments have specific temperature ranges for effective application.

Although February is a quieter month with little visible plant growth, it plays a crucial role in preparing gardens, lawns and landscapes for a successful spring. From equipment checks and soil analysis to early sowing and moss control, the tasks completed now will pay dividends in the months ahead.

We hope this guide helps you make the most of February, whether you’re maintaining a home garden or managing outdoor spaces professionally. To plan ahead, explore our monthly gardening guides or move straight on to our March gardening jobs guide and get one step ahead of the season.