Hello from the Hilltop team! February might feel a little wintry, but there’s so much you can do this month to prepare your garden for spring. Whether it’s planting beautiful blooms, tackling those all-important tidying up jobs, or simply adding a splash of colour to your outdoor space, February is the perfect time to get stuck in. At Hilltop Garden Centre, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s get started with our gardening tips, advice, and jobs to do in February.
1. Plant Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve' – Hilltop’s Plant of the Month
Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ is our plant of the month, and for good reason! This stunning perennial wallflower is a must-have for a vibrant splash of colour in your garden. Its long spires of deep mauve flowers will brighten your garden from late winter right through to summer, providing months of beautiful colour.
How to plant: Choose a sunny, free-draining spot for this drought-tolerant evergreen perennial. It’s ideal for borders, rockeries, or containers. For best results, use a well-draining compost like our Rocket Gro Multipurpose Compost, which you can find in-store.
Care tips: Erysimum is low maintenance, but deadhead regularly to encourage continuous flowering. It’s also a magnet for pollinators, so you’ll be helping the bees (and other pollinators) while adding beauty to your garden.
2. Add Colour with Primroses and Hellebores
February can be a bit of a grey month, but primroses and hellebores are here to save the day.
Primroses: These cheerful plants are perfect for adding vibrant colour to borders, containers, or hanging baskets. At just 99p each, our homegrown primroses are fantastic value. Pair them with our Tete-a-Tete and Primrose mixed pots for an extra splash of spring colour.
Hellebores: Known as the "winter rose," hellebores are ideal for shady spots and provide elegant blooms in soft whites, pinks, and purples. Plant them in well-draining soil and enrich it with organic matter for the best results. Their long-lasting flowers will bring life to your garden when little else is blooming.
3. Prepare for Spring
February is the ideal time to prepare your garden for the burst of life that spring brings.
- Tidy Up: Clear away any dead leaves and debris from flower beds and borders. This will reduce pests and diseases while giving you a clean slate for planting.
- Prune: Now’s the time to prune roses, wisteria, and deciduous trees. Cut back old growth to encourage new shoots.
- Weed: Remove weeds early before they have a chance to take hold. A good layer of mulch will help suppress new ones.
4. Sow and Grow
Start planning your vegetable garden now to get ahead of the growing season.
- Early Veg: Sow seeds for onions, leeks, and broad beans indoors or in a greenhouse (check out our wide selection in-store). Use a Grostsrt Propagator, also available in-store, to give your seeds the perfect start.
- Herbs: Sow parsley, basil, and coriander indoors on a sunny windowsill for fresh herbs to enjoy in spring.
5. Plant Potted Spring Bulbs
Spring-flowering bulbs are starting to emerge from the ground - a wonderful sight in the garden this month. If you didn't manage to plant any spring flowering bulbs last autumn, pop in-store as we have a beautiful selection of ready-planted potted bulbs which are looking fabulous, including rockery narcissus, crocus, grape hyacinths, and bluebells. We also have planted-up mixed pots of tete-a-tete and primroses which are looking stunning.
Of course, if you do find a pack of spring bulbs (or two) in the back of the shed, it’s not too late to plant them as long as the ground isn't frozen - you'll simply get a display later on.
6. Create a Wildlife Haven
National Nest Box Week takes place from 14th–21st February, so why not add a cosy home for your feathered garden visitors? Our Tom Chambers Snuggler Nest Box is just £5.99 this month, and it’s perfect for Great Tits, House Sparrows, and Tree Sparrows. Pair it with one of our bird feeding stations and hanging feeders to make your garden a haven for wildlife. And don't forget to pick up bird seed, pellets, mealworms and suet balls from our range in-store.
7. Other Jobs to Do in the Garden This Month
- Feed the Birds: February can be tough for wildlife, so make sure your garden birds are well-fed. Stock up on bird food from Hilltop, like our Tom Chambers Mealworm Munch or Nyjer Nibbles, both with 25% extra free.
- Clean Greenhouses: Wash down glass and frames to maximise light levels and remove overwintering pests.
- Check Tools: Sharpen secateurs, clean spades, and make sure your lawnmower and garden tools are ready for spring - pop in on Saturday 15th February from 2-4pm to get them professionally sharpened by 'The Sharpener'.
- Plant Bare-Root Trees and Shrubs: The soil is still workable, making February an excellent time to plant bare-root varieties.
Pop Into Our Cafe
After a busy day in the garden, treat yourself to a visit to our garden centre with cafe. Warm up with an authentic, chunky, braised chilli con carne served on a jacket potato, and finish your meal off with a lemon drizzle and raspberry heart bake - both dishes are exclusive to the month of February so be sure not to miss them! Plus, this month (being the month of love), we have a very special hot chocolate of the month to share with you that is topped with delicious strawberries!
It’s the perfect way to refuel and recharge while soaking up the relaxing atmosphere of our garden centre Clacton on Sea.
Visit Hilltop Garden Centre This February
At Hilltop Garden Centre, we’re more than just a garden centre Essex; we’re a community hub for gardeners of all ages and abilities. Whether you’re stocking up on supplies, looking for inspiration, popping in for expert gardening advice, or simply enjoying a day out, we’ve got something for everyone.
Pop in this February to discover our fantastic special offers and warm, friendly service. We look forward to seeing you soon!
