February heralds the start of some serious gardening activity. Now is the time to start the tidying up process around the garden. For example weeding beds, borders, rock gardens and patio containers.

 Here are some ideas for colour in the garden this month.

Jasminium nudiflorum - this winter flowering jasmine has bright yellow flowers in late winter. For the best results support the plant across a sunny wall, fence or trellis and or allow the plant to sprawl to give you great ground cover.Perfect for cut flowers bringing a bit of the outdoors indoors!

Crocus - If you live in a mild part of the country and have crocuses on your garden you will have noticed them emerging from the ground. They make stunning impacts of colour in late winter and early spring especially when planted in drifts across lawns, rockery gardens or in borders.

Daphne 'odora' - an evergreen shrub which has small fragrant purple-pink and white flowers from mid-winter and early spring followed by fleshy red fruits.

Hamamelis which is excellent for giving bright colour in late winter and early spring. Here are just a few varieties to choose from -

     Hamamelis x intermedia mollis

     Hamamelis x intermedia 'Westerstede'

     Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise'

As you can see there are plenty of plants at this time of year that can transform your garden. Don't forget to pay us a visit for further information.

Borders

      Lightly trim winter flowering Heathers once the flowers have died off to keep them compact.

     Divide snowdrops "in the green" when they have finished flowering.

     Continue to tidy beds and borders, then mulch with compost, well-rotted manure or bark and apply a fertiliser such as bonemeal.

     Prune out dead, damaged, or diseased branches from established trees and shrubs in frost-free weather.

     Firm in the roots of trees and shrubs that are lifted by frost.

     Remove snow from evergreen trees and shrubs to prevent branches being snapped.

     Prune hybrid tea and floribunda types.

     Prune back late summer and autumn flowering clematis.

 Bedding and Container Plants

      Check the fixings on hanging baskets to make sure they are secure.

     Water any containers that may have dried out in the wind.

     Come and have a look at the new seasons stock of plug plants available now

 Lawns

      Now is the time to ensure that all your garden machinery is correctly serviced - particularly lawn mowers, strimmers and any other equipement that you will need during the busy spring and summer months. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to start the lawn mower for the first cut of the season and it won't start!

     Choose different paths when crossing the lawn, as continually following the same route will cause compaction.

     Avoid walking on your lawn when it is frosty as this will cause damage.

 Fruit

      Plant new fruit trees and bushes providing the ground is not frozen or too wet

     Tie in wall-trained fruit trees and bushes.

     Check and firm in all newly planted fruit trees and bushes.

     Complete the pruning of fruit trees.

     This is the latest time to spray fruit trees with a winter wash.

 The Vegetable Garden

      If you've not already done so, select the varieties you intend to grow during the year and come and buy your seeds.

     Continue to dig over vacant ground and dig in well-rotted manure or compost providing the ground is not too wet or frozen.

     Dig and store any root crops still in the ground.

    If not already done so, buy your seed potatoes, they're selling out fast, so don't miss out.

 The Greenhouse

      Do not water plants too much - only when the compost is dry.

     Check plants regularly for pests and disease - moulds and fungus.

     Ventilate only on warm days.

     Sow sweet peas for planting out later.

     Complete the pruning of grape vines.

    Check the glass is not loose after high winds.

 Ponds

      If we get any really bad frosted weather keep an area of the pond free of ice to help fish to breathe.

 General Tasks

      Provide food and water for garden birds.

     Clean and oil all garden tools if not already done