Jobs for the garden in February: Before Spring Arrives

February is the quiet strategist of the gardening year — the month where preparation pays off. By getting your beds, tools, and plants ready now, you’ll hit spring with momentum instead of playing catch-up.

1. Clean Up and Assess: Jobs for the garden in February

Before new growth takes off, clear out winter debris, fallen leaves, and old crop residue. Not only does this make your beds look tidy, it also reduces overwintering pests and fungal issues. Take this time to prune dead wood and gently brush off old mulch to expose the soil to the warming sun.

2. Refresh Soil and Focus on Roots : Jobs for the garden in February

Late winter is an ideal moment to think about root health, not just top growth. If you’re repotting containers or planting new starts, consider incorporating RootMax — a mycorrhizal inoculant available on Amazon and in many garden stores.

RootMax delivers beneficial fungi right where roots need them. These fungi form a natural partnership with plant roots, improving water and nutrient uptake, helping seedlings and perennials establish more quickly, and strengthening plants before the spring growth surge. It’s not a fertiliser, but it does give roots a better foundation going into the busy season. Definitely one of the jobs for the garden in February.

If you’re working new beds or refreshed soil mixes, lightly sprinkle mycorrhizal fungi or RootMax into planting holes or mix it into the root zone. This step can make a real difference — especially in beds that were recently disturbed or compacted.

3. Start Early Seeds Indoors: Jobs for the garden in February

Depending on your climate, February is the perfect time to start cold-tolerant crops or get a head start on herbs and flowers. Good candidates for indoor sowing now include:

• Brassicas (kale, broccoli, cabbage)

• Onions & leeks

• Early flowers (snapdragons, calendula)

• Tender perennials you want in bloom early

Make sure you’re using a sterile seed-starting mix and place trays where they get plenty of light — a grow light makes a big difference.

4. Prep Irrigation and Water Management: Jobs for the garden in February

In many regions, February still means dry soil even if temperatures creep up. Check your drip lines, hoses, and soaker systems now. Repair leaks and flush out stagnant water so when spring heat arrives, you’re ready.

If you’re growing in containers, flush pots with clean water to remove built-up salts from winter feeds.

5. Plan Your Spring Fertilising: Jobs for the garden in February

Don’t start feeding too early — young shoots appear but roots haven’t fully activated yet. A light feeding regime usually begins once new leaf growth is steady, typically toward the end of February or into March.

Fertilisers with a balanced N-P-K are ideal for leafy growth, but keep them diluted — most plants prefer a gentle feed rather than a heavy dose early in the season.

6. Mulch Smartly: Jobs for the garden in February

Mulching now helps regulate soil temperatures and conserve moisture as days lengthen. Use organic mulch like straw, shredded bark, or composted leaves. If you’ve used mycorrhizal fungi, avoid burying them too deeply — you want those beneficial spores near the active root zone, not buried under a thick mulch layer.

7. Keep an Eye on Pests and Diseases: Jobs for the garden in February

Even in February, overwintering pests like slugs, aphids hiding under debris, or early fungal spots can show up. Scout weekly and deal with small problems before they explode in spring warmth.

Final Thought

February is quiet above ground, but underneath, everything is getting ready to grow. If you take the time now to clean, assess roots, and prepare soil with the right microbial partners like mycorrhizal fungi or RootMax, you’ll see that effort pay off in stronger, earlier spring growth.