I’m pretty relieved January is over. It really is the most boring month of the year, and come February, there’s hope that your shoes won’t forever be full of rain and your hair won’t ping into a horrible, frizzy halo (or that might just be me). So now the new gardening season is on the way, here are some jobs for the garden in February. Feel free to add your own in the comments below.
on Feb 2nd, 2010 at 1:41 am
I have to ask you to explain the one with kitchen debris and runner beans. I was thinking of growing runner beans this year, purely as decoration and to attract hummingbirds, because it’s way too hot here in the summer for them to set pods… but this makes me curious. Are they much heavier feeders than traditional beans? What’s the deal?
Thanks for any help with this and your great list!
on Feb 2nd, 2010 at 6:18 am
Hi Meredith,
Runner and french beans are hungry, but thay also like a bit of warmth, which is why trench composting is such a good idea. As long as you have finished the trench and covered it with soil two months before you plant the little things out, then you will have created a site where the rotting kitchen debris gives off warmth - the same principle applies to growing squashes on a compost heap or hot box. Here’s a little article about trench composting:
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/todo_now/faqs.php?id=93
Now that you’ve asked that, I might write something on trench composting for everyone who reads this blog.
Let me know if that helps.
Isabel
on Feb 3rd, 2010 at 12:02 pm
I’d add, take photographs of your borders while they are empty and bare - it really shows you where the garden isn’t working as well as it could and where there are gaps that could be filled with new plants.
on Feb 4th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
just wanted to say how lovely your cabbage photo is…
enjoy your february!
-lisa @ http://www.potandbox.com
on Feb 4th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Thanks Lisa! I have it as my desktop background on my netbook - for some reason it reminds me of the teenage mutant hero turtles, and that always makes me grin when I’m writing F&F on the train on the way home from work each day…
That’s a good plan allseasonsgardener - I’ve got a post coming up on year-round interest, so will add your tip.