February Woodland Gardener Tips

Welcome to February's tips. We have added lots of video clips to the tips, however if you prefer to read instructions then click the more information and the written tips will be displayed after the videos.

Protecting from cold winds

 

February often brings cold east winds which heighten the wind chill factor especially when combined with frost.  The most susceptible plants are likely to be acacia, ceanothus and leptospermums.  If the plants are not too big protect them with fleece during cold winds.

Protecting spring bulbs

 

 

Place stakes or canes around daffodil, crocus, bluebell or other spring bulb glades to prevent people inadvertently walk over the emerging shoots.
 

Pruning escallonia

Prune your escallonia hedges now.  Even if you did this last summer they are still likely to need a further trim to shape them up and encourage new flowering shoots. Do not leave it too late or you will disturb nesting birds.
 

Cleaning Bird Boxes

 

Dust off, check and clean out the woodland bird nesting boxes.  Make sure the entrance holes are surrounded by metal to prevent grey squirrels gnawing their way in and eating the eggs or fledglings.

Removing side-shoots & restaking young trees

Complete any tree surgery work before the sap starts to rise and before the leaves start to form. The work is quicker and easier now and the tree is less likely to ‘bleed’ where branches are removed.

Get ready to enjoy spring!  Camellias will soon be in full flower and the first magnolias may soon show some colour in Cornwall.

Dividing Gunnera

Deer & Rabbit Protection