FEBRUARY IN THE GARDEN

As the warm days of February stretch across Aotearoa's landscape, your vegetable garden should be brimming with life, or if you are more like me then everything dried out and has gone to seed while you were away for a few days. Don’t worry either way, as February is a transitional time with the peak of summer starting to weave into autumn giving you the opportunity to either nourish and prepare your flourishing garden as well as starting again with the next wave of seasonal planting. 

Remember to regularly harvest fruit, vegetables and herbs making the most of this abundance and promoting more crops and growth. 

When watering, remember it’s important to water deeply and regularly, especially for vegetables and fruits, to avoid stress and ensure strong growth. Try to water early in the morning or in the evening to prevent water from evaporating in the midday heat and burning leaves. You want to water at night a few hours before sundown so there is not water sitting on leaves overnight (to reduce fungal issues). 

Start preparing for the cooler months ahead and get your seeds in for autumn vegetables. Think leafy greens (bok choy, silverbeet, spinach, lettuce), brassicas (brocolli, cauli, kale), and root vegetables (parsnips, beetroot, carrots, turnips).

It’s a bit early for planting garlic but you can start preparing the garlic bed ensuring good drainage,lots of compost, and getting it free from weeds.

Soil health is the cornerstone of an organic vegetable garden, and February is the ideal time to replenish and enrich it as you begin to transition from summer crops to autumn planting.

Composting: Add compost, well-rotted manure, or organic fertilisers to your garden beds to replenish nutrients. Summer crops like tomatoes and cucumbers can deplete soil, so now is the time to add organic matter back in.
Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch around your crops to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Mulch also breaks down over time, enriching the soil with organic matter.

As this warmer weather continues, keep monitoring for pests and disease. Organic gardeners can use a variety of methods to control common problems.

Monitor for Pests: Keep an eye out for aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies, and slugs, which tend to thrive in summer conditions. Handpick pests where possible, and use organic sprays like neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Companion Planting: Use companion planting to deter pests and bring in beneficial insects. A lot of the fragrant herbs like basil, rosemary and lemongrass are great to have around, along with annuals like marigolds, zinnias, and alyssum. 

Pests and disease are the way your garden tells you that something isn’t quite right, so they are a great learning tool if you take the time to listen and observe what they are trying to tell you.

Weeds can thrive in the warm weather, so make sure to stay on top of them. Use organic mulch such as straw, leaves, or grass clippings to cover soil and suppress weeds. Mulch also helps retain moisture during the hot summer months, keeping your garden’s roots cool and hydrated.

Weeding: Hand-pull weeds to avoid disturbing the soil. Be particularly vigilant around new seedlings and young plants. Depending on the weeds, I usually just cut weeds tops off and leave the root systems in the ground.

Mulching: Apply mulch around plants to conserve moisture and protect soil health.

Check that all of your trellised plants are being fully supported. Make any necessary repairs or strengthening to supports. 

February is also a good time to start thinking ahead to the next growing season. If you’ve had a particularly successful crop, consider saving seeds for future planting.

Collect Seeds: Allow some of your plants, like beans, tomatoes, and peas, to go to seed so you can collect them for next season. Always let seeds mature fully on the plant and harvest them on a dry day.

Clean and Store Seeds: After harvesting, clean and dry seeds thoroughly before storing them in a cool, dry place in paper envelopes or jars.

February is a month of both harvest and preparation in your vegetable garden. It’s a time to enjoy the fruits of your summer labour while setting the stage for a bountiful autumn and winter season. By staying on top of these tasks—harvesting, planting, soil care, pest management, and planning—you’ll help your garden thrive throughout the year. Keep an eye on the weather, observe, maintain a consistent care routine, and you’ll continue to be rewarded with a thriving, productive organic vegetable garden. 

And most importantly, make sure you have a magickal time in the garden.