Gardening Jobs for February and March: Essential Tasks for a Thriving Garden

Q: Can I plant potatoes in February or March?

Yes! Start planting early potato varieties in March for a summer harvest.

Q: What flowers can I plant in late winter and early spring?

Pansies, tulips, daffodils, and lavender are great choices for early planting.

February and March are key months for preparing your garden for spring and summer growth. While February is still cold and frosty, it’s a great time for planning, pruning, and starting early sowings. By March, temperatures start to warm up, making it the perfect time to plant and get everything in shape.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

✔️ Essential gardening jobs for February and March
✔️ What to plant in late winter and early spring
✔️ Pruning, soil preparation, and feeding tips
✔️ How to protect plants from late frosts
✔️ Weeding, pest control, and greenhouse tasks

Let’s explore what needs doing in these crucial months to ensure a flourishing garden! 🌱🌸

Gardening Jobs for February

1. Prune and Cut Back

February is ideal for pruning dormant plants before new growth starts.

✔️ Fruit Trees (Apple, Pear, Plum) – Remove dead branches to improve air circulation.
✔️ Roses – Prune hybrid tea & floribunda roses to shape them for spring growth.
✔️ Winter-flowering shrubs – Trim after flowering to encourage fresh growth.
✔️ Wisteria – Cut back summer growth to encourage better blooms.

Tip: Always use sharp, clean pruning shears to prevent infections.

2. Start Early Seed Sowing Indoors

Even though it’s still cold outside, you can start growing seeds indoors for a head start.

🌱 Vegetables to Start Indoors:
✔️ Tomatoes
✔️ Peppers
✔️ Aubergines
✔️ Chillies

🌿 Herbs to Sow Indoors:
✔️ Basil
✔️ Parsley
✔️ Coriander

Tip: Use a heated propagator to speed up germination in colder months.

3. Prepare Soil for Planting

✔️ Turn over soil to improve aeration.
✔️ Add compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil.
✔️ Apply mulch around trees and shrubs to protect roots from frost.

Tip: Cover empty beds with black plastic or fleece to warm the soil for March planting.

4. Check and Maintain Garden Structures

✔️ Repair fences, trellises, and raised beds before spring growth starts.
✔️ Clean out greenhouses and polytunnels to remove pests and mold.
✔️ Sharpen and oil garden tools to prepare for the busy months ahead.

Tip: Disinfect seed trays and pots before sowing to prevent fungal infections.

5. Protect Plants from Frost

February can still bring hard frosts, so keep plants safe.

✔️ Cover vulnerable plants with fleece or cloches.
✔️ Move potted plants to sheltered areas.
✔️ Avoid pruning too early on frost-sensitive plants.

Tip: Water plants in the morning so excess moisture evaporates before nightfall.

Gardening Jobs for March

March is when spring officially begins, and it’s time to plant, prune, and prepare your garden.

1. Planting Jobs for March

March is one of the busiest months for planting, as soil begins to warm up.

🌸 Flowers to Plant in March:
✔️ Tulips & Daffodils
✔️ Pansies & Violas
✔️ Lavender & Hardy Perennials

🥕 Vegetables to Plant in March:
✔️ Carrots & Parsnips
✔️ Early Potatoes
✔️ Onions & Shallots
✔️ Lettuce & Spinach

Tip: Use fleece or cloches to protect new seedlings from unexpected frosts.

2. Pruning & Tidying Up

✔️ Cut back dead growth from perennials and shrubs.
✔️ Prune summer-flowering plants like Buddleia and Hydrangeas.
✔️ Trim evergreen hedges to keep them tidy.

Tip: Avoid pruning spring-flowering plants until after they bloom.

3. Feeding and Mulching

Now is the time to feed plants for strong spring growth.

✔️ Apply compost or well-rotted manure to flower beds.
✔️ Use slow-release fertilizer for shrubs and fruit trees.
✔️ Mulch around roses and perennials to retain moisture.

Tip: Adding fish blood & bone meal helps boost root development.

4. Weeding & Pest Control

March is when weeds start growing rapidly, so get ahead early.

✔️ Hand-pull weeds before they spread.
✔️ Apply mulch to suppress new weed growth.
✔️ Check for slugs & snails on young shoots.

Tip: Use copper tape, crushed eggshells, or organic slug pellets to protect seedlings.

5. Greenhouse & Indoor Seed Sowing

By March, you can start even more seeds indoors for summer harvesting.

🌱 More Vegetables to Start Indoors:
✔️ Cucumbers
✔️ Courgettes
✔️ Sweetcorn
✔️ Melons

🌿 More Herbs to Sow Indoors:
✔️ Thyme
✔️ Oregano
✔️ Mint

Tip: Rotate seedlings regularly to prevent leggy growth in low-light conditions.

FAQs: Gardening Jobs for February and March

Can I plant potatoes in February or March?
✔️ Yes! Start planting early varieties in March for a June harvest.

What flowers can I plant in late winter and early spring?
✔️ Pansies, tulips, daffodils, and lavender thrive in cooler months.

Should I prune fruit trees in February or March?
✔️ Yes! February is the best time to prune apples and pears before they wake up.

How do I stop weeds from growing in early spring?
✔️ Apply mulch and hand-pull weeds early before they take over.

Can I start seeds indoors in February and March?
✔️ Absolutely! Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and herbs all benefit from an early start indoors.

Final Thoughts: Gardening Jobs for February & March

✔️ Prune fruit trees, roses, and shrubs before new growth starts.
✔️ Prepare soil with compost and mulch to enrich nutrients.
✔️ Plant early flowers & vegetables to get a head start on spring.
✔️ Protect plants from frost with cloches and fleece.
✔️ Start summer seeds indoors for a strong, early harvest.

February and March set the foundation for a successful growing season. With proper preparation, your garden will thrive all spring and summer! 🌷🌱

What gardening jobs are you working on this February and March? Let us know in the comments!

Now you’re ready to tackle your February and March gardening jobs and ensure a flourishing garden all season long! 🌸🌱 Let me know if you have any questions! 🚀