February garden tasks checklist: week by week

TL;DR

February is busy in the garden. This week-by-week checklist helps you forget nothing: sow heat-loving vegetables, fertilize fruit trees, remove moss, spread snowdrops, prune dormant trees. Weeks 1-2: planning and indoor work. Week 3: outdoor work grows. Week 4: finish. Everything done on time = more time in March/April to enjoy.

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Week 1 (1-7 February): Planning and preparation

Indoor work

• Check your seed supplies. What seeds do you have? Which are expired? Make a list of what you need to sow.
• Draft sowing calendar. Start tomato/pepper/eggplant this week? Make calendar notes.
• Check heating mat. Does it still work? Is plug secure?
• Check seed compost stock. Do you have enough or need to shop?

Outdoor work

• Move outside. Inspect garden for:
  • Moss on paths/tiles (yes/no notation)
  • Hanging branches that could break under snow/ice (cut them off)
  • Dead plants or plants looking very poorly (note for later pruning)

Administrative

• List all outdoor February tasks: pruning, fertilizing, moss removal, snowdrops, raking.
• Estimate time. What can you do by mid-February? What by end-February?

Week 2 (8-14 February): Start sowing + planning adjustment

Indoor sowing work

• Sow tomato, pepper, eggplant (if not done Week 1)
  • Fill seed trays with moist seed compost
  • Sow seeds
  • Cover with film/glass
  • Place on heating mat (20-25 degrees)
• Put seed trays in light once they appear (after 5-10 days)
• Begin moisture checks: inspect daily for compost dampness

Outdoor work

• Fertilize fruit trees (apple, pear, plum, cherry)
  • Gather compost or organic fertilizer
  • Spread around trees (away from trunk)
  • Water gently
• Start moss removal from paths/tiles
  • Clean wire brush
  • Check pressure washer (if needed)
  • Begin with small test section
• Prune dormant trees (winter-resting: birch, hazel, willow)
  • Remove dead branches
  • Thin overcrowded crown
  • Keep bird boxes in mind (do not remove everything)

Garden planning

• Find snowdrop clumps in garden. Mark with stick where they grow.
• Check drainage around paths. Where does water sit? Note for next winter.

Week 3 (15-21 February): Sowing inspection + finish outdoor work

Sowing inspection

• Check seedlings. Are they appearing? (expect 5-10 days, sometimes 2 weeks)
• Check moisture daily. Not waterlogged, not dry.
• Place under light once green appears (within 2-3 days of germination)
• Remove cover once germinated

Finish outdoor work

• Complete moss removal from paths (large areas ready by end week)
• Continue pruning (finish dormant trees, begin weak branches in growing trees)
• Spread snowdrops (end week, once flowering is over)
  • Dig clumps carefully
  • Divide bulbs
  • Plant immediately in new location
• Begin gentle raking under shrubs (remove dead leaves, not too much)

Start prevention

• Spread silver sand on path joints (prevention against moss growth)
• Trim overhanging branches above paths (more sunlight = less moss)

Week 4 (22-28 February): Finish line

Sowing check

• Are seedlings growing? Check height, color, health.
• Water gently (weak plant feed 1x weekly okay)
• Enough light? (12-14 hours daily ideal)
• Temperature okay? (20-22 degrees perfect, not warmer)

Outdoor work final check

• Finish all February outdoor work (what stays open for March?)
• Check fertilizing - is compost worked in? Water gently if needed
• Finish moss removal - last paths/tiles
• Spread more snowdrops (if Week 3 not finished)
• Begin gentle pruning of growing trees (careful, not too much)

March preparation

• Check seed list for March. What do you sow in March?
• Check weather forecast late February/early March. Night frost risk?
• Plan seedling hardening - begin late April (4-6 weeks after sowing).

Frequently asked questions

I started late - can I still finish everything in February?

Yes. Priority: sow tomato/pepper (until mid-March possible, but February better). Pruning can go to March. Fertilizing best February, but March works. Moss removal possible all season.

My seedlings are weak and tall - what am I doing wrong?

Probably not enough light. Place light closer (10-15 cm above seedlings). Or temperature too high (above 25 degrees). Cooler = stronger seedlings.

Can I prune if frost threatens?

No. Wait until frost passes (late February/March). Pruning wounds freeze shut and heal poorly. Prune dormant trees only in frost-free weeks.

My garden still looks bare - do I need to do much?

No. February is for preparation and indoor work. The front yard really starts growing in April/May. Patience.

How many hours per week is February garden work?

Depends on garden size. Small (50 m²): 3-5 hours per week. Medium (200 m²): 5-10 hours. Larger (500+ m²): 10-20 hours. This spreads over 4 weeks - so 1-3 hours per day.

Week-by-week summary

Week 1: Planning, preparation, make checklist. Week 2: Start sowing, fertilize fruit trees, begin moss removal. Week 3: Check seedlings, finish outdoor work, spread snowdrops. Week 4: Finish everything, prepare for March.

Plan your February garden

Hundreds of gardens are already designed on [gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app). Upload your front yard and see how all these February tasks unfold in real time. Plan sowing, feeding, pruning together and watch your garden grow.