February is an excellent time to prepare your garden for the upcoming growing season. While the weather may still be cold, there are several tasks you can complete to ensure your garden is ready for spring. Here are some key jobs to tackle in February:
1. Prune Dormant Trees and Shrubs
• Prune deciduous trees and shrubs: This is the best time to prune many trees and shrubs while they are dormant. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve the overall shape and health of the plants. Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs, like lilacs or forsythia, which bloom on old wood.
• Cut back ornamental grasses: If you didn’t do it in late fall, now is a good time to cut back ornamental grasses. 
2. Prepare Garden Tools
• Clean and sharpen tools: Check your garden tools and equipment. Clean off any dirt, sap, or rust, and sharpen the blades on shovels, pruners, hoes, and shears. A sharp tool makes gardening tasks easier and cleaner.
3. Tidy Up the Garden
• Remove fallen leaves and debris: Clear away any leaves, branches, or other debris from garden beds, walkways, or around trees. This will help prevent fungal growth and allow your garden to “breathe.”
• Mulch garden beds: If your garden beds are bare, add a layer of mulch to protect the soil, suppress weeds, and keep moisture levels stable once spring arrives.
4. Start Seeds Indoors
• Begin sowing seeds indoors: February is a great time to start seeds indoors for plants that need a long growing season, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Follow the instructions on the seed packets for when to start sowing for your region.
• Prepare seed trays: Get seed trays, pots, and a grow light setup ready for planting. Ensure you have a proper place to keep them warm and well-lit.
5. Plant Bare-Root Trees and Shrubs
• Plant bare-root plants: If you’ve ordered bare-root trees or shrubs, February is often a good time to plant them, as they are still dormant. Ensure you follow planting guidelines for your specific plants to get them off to a good start.
6. Check and Maintain Garden Structures
• Inspect fences, trellises, and raised beds: Check for any damage that may have occurred over the winter months. Repair or replace broken sections of fencing or structures, so they are ready for climbing plants or additional support once growing season begins.
• Clean and repair garden sheds: If you have a garden shed, check the structure and clean it out. Fix any leaks or damage to prepare it for storing tools, soil, and other garden supplies.
7. Plan Your Garden
• Review your garden design: Take time to assess last season’s garden. Look for areas that didn’t perform well and think about possible changes. Plan your garden layout for the upcoming season, considering crop rotation or new plants you'd like to try.
• Order seeds and supplies: If you haven’t already, now’s the time to order any seeds or garden supplies you may need for spring planting.
8. Compost
• Add to your compost pile: If your compost pile is active, continue adding kitchen scraps, lawn clippings, or other organic matter. Be mindful of what goes in (avoid meat or dairy) to create rich, balanced compost for your garden.
9. Winterise Garden Structures
• Protect tender plants: If you have any plants that are sensitive to frost or the winter weather, ensure they are covered or protected with fleece, cloches, or other frost protection methods.
• Check cold frames and greenhouses: Make sure any cold frames or greenhouses are in good condition. Clear away snow or ice, check for leaks, and make sure ventilation systems are working for when spring temperatures start to rise.
10. Prepare for Spring Planting
• Remove any weeds: While weeds are usually dormant in February, you can start tackling any early weeds that may have germinated on sunny winter days.

By staying active in February, you’ll be ahead of the game and ready for a productive gardening season once the weather starts to warm up.