Weather and the Gardener
If the winter is wet, and especiaklly if the previous summer was also rainy and lacking in sunshine, then it is always wise at the end of February to check the pH and nitrogen levels in the garden soil to see if extra spring dressings are advisable.
The other feature of garden climate which is important at this time of the year is soil temperature, which is often the ultimate decider as to whether the spring is early or late. Soil temperatures are always at their lowest in early February and will be likely to be below average if there has been a succession of nights with hard frosts and no snow cover.
Trees and Shrubs
Trees, shrubs and climbers in flower in the month of February include the forms of Magnolia campbelli, certain prunus (ornamental cherries, peaches and apricots) in sheltered positions, some rhododendrons and camellias, some cornus (dogwoods), Daphne mezereum and D. odora, various ericas (heaths and heathers), Garrya elliptica (silk tassel bush), forms of hamamelis (witch hazel), Jasminum nudiflorum (winter jasmine), various loniceras (shrubby honeysuckles), Mahonia japonica (syn. M. bealei) and several vuburnams.
Pruning
Cut back shoots of summer-flowering clematis to about 1m (3 1/4ft) and remove completely all dead growths. Prune side shoots of Vitis vinifera (ornamental grape vines) and wisteria to one or two buds and generally tidy these climbers to keep them in shape and within bounds.
Planting
Plant trees and shrubs whenever 'open' weather conditions allow or store plants in a frost-proof place until they can be set out. Prepare the ground thoroughly for all trees, shrubs, and climbers, and with the latter make sure the supports up which they are to grow - pergola, arch, trellis, old trees, or wires against a wall - are securely in position.
Flowers
Remove any tall dead flowered stems of vigorous plants such as echinops, lupins and helianthus that were not cut back in autumn.
Continue scattering slug bait round fleshy crowned plants such as delphiniums and macleayas.
Check over canes used to support tall growing plants. Clean off mud and dip bases in green Cuprinol to protect them from rot.
Take root cuttings of anchusas, oriental poppies, phlox, romneyas and dicentras.
Alpines
Plant containerized species and varieties when the weather is mild and the soil free from frost. Set feature shrubs such as Juniperus communis 'Hibernica' at the foot of an outcrop to provide an intriguing 'punctuation mark'.
tread round newly planted alpines after heavy frost, to press soil back round their roots.
Vegetables
Cloches should be out into position early in Februrary, so that the soil underneath has a chance to dry out and possibly warm up. Then one or more of the following crops can be sown: cabbage or early summer cauliflower for planting outside, early carrot (such as Amsterdam Forcing), lettuce, peas and radish. Perhaps not the most universally popular vegetable, broad beans are certainly one of the first to be harvested in the new season, and can be sown in February or March.