✅ Essential February Allotment Prep Checklist

February is a key preparation month on the allotment. This checklist focuses on the essential jobs that set you up for a productive, manageable growing season — especially important before spring work ramps up.

⭐ Recommended Products — February Gardening Essentials

• Early Spring Seed Collection (February Sowing)
A pack of seeds suited for February sowing — think early onions, brassicas, tomatoes, chillies, and early flowers like pansies and primroses. Great for getting a head start on the growing season.
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• Seed & Cutting Propagation Compost
Fine, well-draining compost formulated for seeds and cuttings. Essential for giving young roots the ideal environment to establish strongly without rotting.
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• Seed Trays & Propagator Kit
Includes reusable seed trays, modules, and clear lids to create a controlled germination environment. Helps maintain humidity and protects young seedlings.
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• Heat Mat & Grow Lights for Seed Starting
Provides bottom heat and supplemental light — especially helpful in February’s low light and cooler temperatures to improve germination and early growth.
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• Plant Labels & Waterproof Marker Set
Keep track of your sowings with durable labels and a weather-proof pen — very useful when starting lots of different seeds in February.
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🧹 General Plot Preparation

☐ Clear old crop remains and visible weeds
☐ Tidy paths and edges to prevent weed spread
☐ Remove rubbish and unwanted materials
☐ Check plot boundaries, fences, and gates
☐ Organise sheds and storage areas

🌱 Soil & Bed Preparation

☐ Dig or fork over empty beds if soil is workable
☐ Avoid working frozen or waterlogged soil
☐ Add well-rotted manure or garden compost
☐ Gently relieve compacted areas
☐ Cover beds with cardboard, fleece, or plastic to protect and warm soil

🥔 Potatoes & Early Crops

☐ Start chitting seed potatoes in a bright, frost-free place
☐ Label varieties clearly
☐ Prepare beds, trenches, or containers for planting
☐ Plan where early crops will be grown

🌿 Fruit & Perennial Crops

☐ Prune currants and gooseberries
☐ Cut autumn-fruiting raspberries to ground level
☐ Finish planting bare-root fruit bushes early in the month
☐ Mulch around fruit trees and bushes
☐ Check tree ties, stakes, and supports

🌱 Sowing & Propagation (Under Cover)

☐ Clean seed trays, pots, and modules
☐ Prepare labels and propagation areas
☐ Sow suitable crops under cover (tomatoes, chillies, lettuce, spinach)
☐ Ensure good light and ventilation

🌾 Greenhouse & Polytunnel Prep

☐ Clean glazing to maximise light
☐ Wash benches, staging, and floors
☐ Ventilate on mild days to reduce damp
☐ Check heaters, fleece, and insulation

🛠️ Structures, Tools & Equipment

☐ Repair raised beds, netting, and supports
☐ Check water butts, taps, and hoses
☐ Clean, sharpen, and oil tools
☐ Service wheelbarrows and equipment

🐌 Pest, Protection & Wildlife Checks

☐ Inspect plants for overwintering pests and eggs
☐ Remove slugs and snails where found
☐ Prepare fleece, cloches, and netting
☐ Keep bird feeders topped up and provide water

🗂️ Planning & Organisation

☐ Finalise crop rotation plans
☐ Decide where heavy feeders will grow
☐ Plan succession sowing
☐ Check seed dates and quantities
☐ Make a simple sowing calendar

🌤️ February Allotment Rule

Preparation beats speed.
The more you organise and prepare in February, the calmer and more productive your allotment season will be.