🌿 Gardening in February: Sowing for Late Summer & Beyond

February is a pivotal month in the garden. Summer crops are still going strong, but it's also time to start planning for the cooler months ahead. From sowing seeds to caring for fruit trees and preparing the soil for autumn and winter crops, here's how to keep your garden thriving this month.

🌱 Sow This Month

Direct Sow into the Garden

With the soil still warm, it’s the perfect time to sow seeds straight into your garden beds:

• Beetroot

• Beans (green & dwarf – perfect for a late summer/early autumn harvest)

• Broccoli

• Carrots

• Parsnips

• Radish

• Rocket

• Spinach

• Silverbeet

Sow in Trays for Transplanting Later

Starting seeds in trays gives you a head start on cool-season crops:

• Celery

• Silverbeet

• Chard

• Perpetual spinach

• Kale

• Cauliflower

• Broccoli

• Cabbage

• Leeks

🌼 Keep sowing flowers like zinnias, marigolds, calendula, and chamomile — they feed pollinators and add beauty to the garden.

🥗 Succession planting is key this month. Keep sowing small amounts of salad greens every 2–3 weeks to ensure a steady supply.

🌿 Basil can still go in — it's best enjoyed young and tender.

🍓 Fruit Tree Care

• Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting or cloth bags.

• Young trees (1–2 years old) need extra care. Water deeply and feed as needed — this helps develop strong roots and structure for the future.

• Harvest berries regularly — it not only gives you a fresh supply of fruit but also encourages more flowers and disrupts pest and disease cycles.✨ Don’t leave overripe or damaged fruit to rot — they attract pests and harbour disease.

🛠️ Garden Chores & Planning Ahead

🌧 Moisture Matters

• Keep soil evenly moist to support current crops and prepare for future ones.

• If water is limited, hand-water only the plants that need it most.

• Mulch around vegetables, fruit trees, and green crops to retain moisture and nutrients.

🥦 Think Ahead: Autumn & Winter Crops

• Start planting the crops you want to see on your autumn and winter dinner plate.

• Brassicas like broccoli, cabbage, and kale benefit from planting little and often — every 2–3 weeks — to ensure a steady harvest through the colder months.

• Be sure to protect brassicas from the white butterfly using mesh or netting.

🌾 Save Seeds & Share with the Community

Now’s the perfect time to save seeds for next summer. Choose strong, healthy plants and let a few go to seed.💌 Label clearly with the name and harvest date (month and year), and drop any excess at the Seed Library at the Shed — your contributions help build food resilience in our community.

Final Thoughts

February is about balance — enjoying the late-summer abundance while planting for the seasons ahead. With a bit of planning and steady care, your garden will keep giving well into autumn and beyond.

Happy growing! 🌻