February - WHAT WE’RE DOING IN THE GARDEN
February never arrives gently.
After weeks of non-stop rain, soggy ground, and dull, dark days, the garden can feel heavy and slow. Paths are muddy, beds are saturated, and everything takes twice as long outside. But then - almost without warning - there’s a brighter afternoon, a stretch in the light, a small green shoot pushing through.
With Imbolc and St. Brigid’s Day marking the traditional turning point of the year, we remind ourselves that this is when the growing season truly begins. Not in a dramatic burst, but in small, steady shifts as the evenings start to get longer.
The soil is completely saturated here, especially on our hillside, where water runs constantly downhill. Yet sweet cicely is sprouting, rhubarb is emerging, and the first snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils are quietly preparing their show.
If January was about restraint, February is about beginning carefully.
Our February List - what we’re doing
Sowing more peas and broad beans. We sowed some in January, and we’re sowing more now. A few in pots, a few directly in the polytunnel. It’s always worth another batch.
Starting onions from seed. We love growing onions and shallots from organic, open-pollinated seed. They’re slower than sets, but stronger and often more flavourful. A few seeds per module tray and steady light are all they need.
Chitting early potatoes. Organic seed potatoes are laid out in trays or old egg cartons in a bright, frost-free space. We’ll plant some in large pots in the polytunnel soon, building compost up around the shoots as they grow.
Beginning chillies and aubergines. These take time. Warmth and good light are essential. We sow in small batches to avoid overwhelm later.
Sowing herbs indoors. Parsley, thyme and basil begin their quiet start on windowsills.
Checking winter greens. Kale, spinach and chard are still feeding us. If there’s a surplus, we blanch and freeze. Some might end up in our Honesty Farm Shop.
Forcing rhubarb and sea kale. Terracotta pots go on. The first pale stems are always a small celebration.
Finishing fruit tree pruning. Apples and pears are shaped carefully before growth accelerates. Stone fruits wait until after harvest.
Feeding and mulching beds. Where needed, we top up compost and protect the soil from heavy rain. On a hillside like ours, soil protection is constant work.
Cleaning and organising. Tools are oiled. Pots are sorted. The polytunnel gets another tidy before seed trays multiply.
February carries energy, but we try to let the season lead. It’s tempting to sow everything at once, but steady progress beats early panic every time.
Seeds for the Season Ahead
If you’re starting your own February sowings, you’ll find open-pollinated, Irish-saved seeds in our online store and at the Honesty Farm Shop.
Let us know what you’re starting this month. February feels like a turning point - we’d love to hear what’s happening in your patch.