Garden chores for February

Fortunately the days are getting longer. Snowdrops, crocuses and sweet violets start to appear. This is a good month to start sowing indoors.

Test the pH level of the soil. A pH range between 6.0 and 7.0 is best. Moss and many weeds grow well in acidic soil. Their presence is a sign that the soil pH has become too low. Use lime to increase the soil’s pH, make the soil less acidic and more alkaline. Use sulfur to lower the pH.
Do not walk on the lawn if it is frosty. Frosty grass can damage easily.
Spread the ground of the mole hills across the lawn.
If the soil is not frosty or too wet you can lay new turf. Do not walk on the newly laid turf and leave it undisturbed for several weeks to allow new roots to establish.

You can prune fruit trees if the weather is mild. You may prune roses already. You can prune summer-flowering and deciduous shrubs.
Wait with pruning evergreen trees and shrubs.
Delay pruning spring-flowering shrubs until after flowering, otherwise this year’s display may be lost.
Clematisses and other climbers that do not flower in spring can be pruned.
London Planes (Platanus × acerifolia), false acacias (Robinia Pseudoacacia Umbraculifera) and pleached common limes (Tilia europaea ‘Pallida’) can be pruned if the weather is mild.
Pollarded willows can be pruned at the end of February (this can be done till half March). This has to be done at least every three years. Otherwise the trunk will crack.
Remove dead and damaged branches from trees and shrubs.
Leave some garden areas uncut, a little longer, to provide shelter for wildlife in your garden.

You can plant bare-root roses, hedges, shrubs and trees if the weather is mild. They have to be planted promptly before they dry out. It is better not to plant new roses in areas where roses were previously grown because the diseases of the old roses may remain in the ground and infect your new roses.
Plants, shrubs, hedges and trees in containers can be planted all year round if the weather is mild.
Frost may have lifted newly planted perennials which makes it harder for the roots to get established. Check your plants regularly and firm them back when necessary.

Sow plants that can be sown indoors.
Dahlia tuberous roots can be placed in a light, warm place to sprout before planting.

Remove weeds.
Put out food for birds and other animals. Regularly clean the feeding area with hot water to prevent the spreading of diseases.
Knock off the snow from branches to prevent them from breaking.
Protect tender plants and newly planted trees, hedges and shrubs from cold winds and frost. You can use straw mats or bubble wrap for example. Do not leave the materials for too long because that may cause rots. Dry mulch or dead leaves can be used to protect the roots.
Check if the ties around the trees are not too tight or too loose.
Remove the ice from the pond with care. If the ice is thick, use boiling water rather than a hammer. The shock waves from the hammer may kill the creatures beneath.
Order summer flowering bulbs and seeds.