The cold weather persists but for many gardeners February signals the start of many gardening activities. Now is the time to prepare and plant as many seedlings can now be planted so they are ready in the spring and summer months.

You may already have some plants in the garden or greenhouse; plants like winter salads and cabbage will grow all year round. Remember to protect these plants; the mild winter could change over night so place a cloche over young and small plants to protect them from frost. Fruit trees will also need to be protected with nets as migrating birds come back during late February spelling disaster for raspberries and blueberries. Raised beds or vegetable beds will also need protecting from small pests; they can cause serious damage as the weather heats up.

A propagator is a box usually made out of plastic with a clear lid. This perforated box is the ideal place to start out new seeds as the temperature within is warm enough to encourage young seedlings. Electric propagators are now available on the market; they plug into the wall and heat internally, they are ideal for hot-climate plants like peppers or chillies. Your propagator needs to be directly in sunlight so placing it under a window is advisable. To start seeds in a propagator use small pots (around 8 cm diameters); fill with good compost and place seed in about 3 cm down. Once your seedling starts to grow and forms both roots and leaves it can be moved to a bigger pot or planted outside.

Testing your soil is important in the months leading up to spring; the pH levels in soil can dramatically change over the winter months. Adding manure or compost to your garden can also change the pH level of your soil so be sure to check your soil at least once a year. Knowing the pH level of your soil will help you grow better plants as some prefer acidity and others prefer alkaline conditions. PH testing kits are available from most garden and DIY stores.

The outdoors in February might still be too cold for many plants but the greenhouse is the ideal place to sow them as we wait for the spring/summer months. Always give your greenhouse a quick check if it has not been used all winter as any cracks or damage could harm your new seedlings and plants. Check all the glazing in your greenhouse and wash your greenhouse down with warm water and a mild soap. It is also advisable to check the internal framing of your greenhouse for any corrosion. A greenhouse will remain to be slightly warmer than the external temperature but will still be cold for many seedlings, check your seedling pack for information. Greenhouse heaters are widely available on the market and will make your greenhouse useable for many plant varieties.

In February you can harvest the last of your broccoli, sprouts and leeks. Remover any roots in preparation for new planting in the spring.

February is a great time of year to start preparing your outdoor soil for the busy spring season. Using compost and rotted down leaves will make the soil very nutrient for new plants. If you don’t have any manure try digging into your soil and filling with old vegetable peelings, this will rot down and by the spring your soil will be ready for planting.

It’s advisable you check your garden shed for any damage as many can be worst for wear after December and January. It’s important to check the roof felt on your garden shed, if it is perished it can leak causing water damage inside your shed.Metal sheds sometimes suffer from condensation internally which can damage storage items. Make sure the base your have for your metal shed is suitable or try adding a bowl of sea salt to your shed, this should soak up any excess air moisture.