Gardening in February in Ireland | What To Do

What to Sow in February

February marks the start of the sowing season in earnest for Irish gardeners. Sow tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and chillies in a heated propagator for greenhouse growing. Start early lettuce, spinach, rocket and oriental leaves under cover. Sow broad beans directly outdoors if soil conditions allow, or continue starting them in pots under cover. Sweet peas can still be sown if you missed the January window. Begin sowing annual flowers like snapdragons, petunias and lobelia in seed trays for summer colour. Onion and leek seeds should be growing well from January sowings — prick out into modules when large enough to handle.

What to Plant in February

Continue planting bare-root fruit trees, hedging and roses while dormant. Plant shallot sets and overwintering onion sets in well-drained soil. Jerusalem artichoke tubers can go in now. Plant autumn-fruiting raspberry canes and blackcurrant bushes. Hardy herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage can be planted out from garden centres. Divide established clumps of snowdrops 'in the green' while they are still in leaf — this is the best time for transplanting snowdrops successfully. Late February is also a good time to plant summer-flowering bulbs like lilies in containers.

What to Harvest in February

Continue harvesting leeks, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, kale and chard. Purple sprouting broccoli should begin producing delicious florets from late February in milder parts of Ireland. Forced rhubarb continues under cover. Winter cauliflowers may be ready in sheltered gardens. The last of the stored apples and root vegetables should be used up before they deteriorate further. Lamb's lettuce, winter purslane and winter salad leaves from the polytunnel provide fresh green leaves.

Lawn Care in February

Towards the end of February, if the weather is mild and the ground is firming up, you can give the lawn its first light cut on the highest mower setting. Only do this if the grass is dry and the ground is firm enough to walk on without leaving footprints. Apply a moss treatment if moss has built up over winter. Rake out thatch gently with a spring-tine rake. Repair edges and fill any hollows with a sandy topdressing. Avoid heavy work on wet lawns.

General Garden Tasks for February

Prune winter-flowering shrubs like mahonia and winter jasmine after flowering. Cut back ornamental grasses before new growth emerges. Prune wisteria side shoots to two or three buds. Clean out bird boxes ready for the nesting season. Start preparing vegetable beds — add well-rotted manure or compost and cover with black polythene to warm the soil. Check compost bins and turn the contents to speed decomposition. Ventilate greenhouses on mild days. Apply a winter wash to dormant fruit trees to control overwintering pests. Sharpen and oil secateurs and loppers.

Ireland-Specific Tips for February

February weather in Ireland is variable — mild spells can encourage early growth, but sharp frosts and strong Atlantic storms are still common. Soil temperatures begin to rise slowly, particularly in southern and coastal counties. Cork, Wexford and Waterford gardeners may be able to start outdoor work earlier than those in Donegal, Mayo or the Midlands. Watch the weather forecast carefully and be ready to protect early sowings with fleece if frost threatens. February is an exciting month for Irish gardeners as the days lengthen noticeably and the first signs of spring appear with snowdrops, crocuses and early daffodils.

Frequently Asked Questions

From mid-February, you can begin sowing many seeds indoors in Ireland. Tomatoes, peppers, chillies and aubergines need a heated propagator at around 18-21°C. Hardy annuals like sweet peas, broad beans and peas can be sown in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame. Lettuce, spinach and rocket germinate well on a bright windowsill. The key is soil temperature rather than air temperature — use a propagator or warm windowsill to provide the gentle bottom heat that seeds need to germinate reliably at this time of year.

Late February to early March is the ideal time to prune most roses in Ireland. Wait until you can see the buds beginning to swell, which indicates that the plant is emerging from dormancy. Hybrid tea roses should be pruned hard to about 15-20cm above ground level, cutting to an outward-facing bud. Floribunda roses are pruned less severely. Climbing roses should have the main framework tied in and side shoots shortened to two or three buds. Always use clean, sharp secateurs and remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches first.

February brings welcome colour to Irish gardens with snowdrops, crocuses, early daffodils and winter aconites. Hellebores (Christmas and Lenten roses) produce beautiful flowers in shades of white, pink, purple and green. Winter-flowering heathers provide carpets of colour. Witch hazel (Hamamelis) offers fragrant yellow or orange flowers on bare stems. Mahonia produces bright yellow flower spikes. Viburnum tinus and winter jasmine continue flowering. Primroses begin to appear in sheltered spots. Camellia japonica varieties start opening their blooms in the milder parts of Cork and Kerry.

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What To Do In Your Irish Garden In February