by Janis on 1st March 2024 / 0 comments
Is that Spring on the horizon?
It really feels like we’re turning a corner when our spring flowering bulbs start to burst into colour.
Our beautiful dwarf irises have come and gone, and now the delicate crocuses and daffodils are starting to bloom. It’s such a heart-warming sight as you know that the delightful season of Spring is only a few weeks away.
It’s also lovely to hear the birds in full song once again, chirping away as we work in the garden. It appears that we have a robin back in our garden once more, which I love to see. They always try and help with the removal of tasty worms.
Pinterest?
Why not Pin it for later?
What we’ve been up to in February
In the garden and on the websiteEvery time we step into the garden, more and more green shoots are appearing, and we start playing the game of ‘name that plant’.
The bulbs in our patio pots are springing into life, and we’re greeted with stunning blooms when we have a little mooch around.
Dwarf Iris
Taking photos of your garden year after year really shows the differences emerging and the progress that you often wouldn’t notice. Too frequently, I think there aren’t significant improvements, but there certainly are.
We’ve been out in the garden weeding this February, and when I compare the photos to last year, there are a lot fewer weeds now than in 2023.
Patio pots springing to life)
Did you catch our updated post on Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands? If you love strolling amongst spectacular displays of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, then you’ll adore Keukenhof.
Why not venture over to Holland and enjoy the 7 million bulbs planted by hand? Keukenhof is open from 21st March until 12th May 2024.
Golden orange and yellow tones at Keukenhof
We’ve been a little ruthless with pruning our climbing rose on our patio this year, as it has become very leggy, and all the new shoots are growing from the top. We’re hoping this will give it a new lease of life.
Achievements for February
Let’s keep ticking those boxesFebruary started off reasonably bright in the southeast of England; however, for the last two weeks, I believe it has rained on and off each day. I’m hoping for a dry spell so that I can give our lawn its maiden cut of the year.
As mentioned, we managed to get some weeding done in our main cottage garden bed, so that is looking better. Gary has cleared the raised beds of weeds and has distributed more of the topsoil around the garden.
A work in progress
So, let’s see what we’ve managed to tick off for February.
Get started on the weeding.
Clear more of the raised beds.
Keeping an eye on my softwood cuttings, which are over-wintering.
Ensure our garden waste bin is full.
Lessons learnt & mistakes made
You live and learnOne ongoing issue we have at the moment is that we still have a problem with ground cover geraniums, and now they appear to be encroaching on the lawn.
I’m a bit baffled about how we will deal with this.
The sundial in the winter sun
Our plans for the coming month
What’s on your to-do list?Decided on the planting for our two front garden beds.
Continue to monitor our garden tasks on the RHS Planner; this online tool is so handy.
Give the lawn its first cut of the year.
Prune our two standard roses, and check when and if our other roses need pruning.
Continue clearing weeds and unwanted planting in the Cottage Garden section.
Weed front garden.
Purchase a couple of small evergreen shrubs to hide part of the bare fence.
Buy some chilli, tomato, achillea and cornflower seeds.
Sow my seed purchases
Divide and replant crocosmia and ferns
Please let us know what you have planned in your garden this month; we’d love to know.
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