Cultivate edibles during the chilly February month
As the end of winter approaches, February presents a busy time for fruit and vegetable growers. This month marks the beginning of sowing season for several crops, including broad beans, potatoes, and strawberries. Here's a guide to help you get started with these early spring plantings.
**Broad Beans**
Sow broad bean seeds indoors in trays or modules during February to April. To promote strong root growth, use deep root cells or root trainers. Protect the seeds from rodents with netting. Once seedlings have true leaves and roots are strong, transplant them outdoors after the risk of frost has passed, spacing plants about 60cm apart in a sunny, well-drained spot. Alternatively, sow direct outdoors from February onward if your soil is workable and frost risk is low[1][2][4].
To support mature plants, consider using post and line supports or horizontal netting pulled taut on canes. Pinching out tops when pods start forming can help reduce pests like blackfly[2].
**Potatoes**
Although specific February potato sowing details weren't in the exact search results, it is typical in temperate climates to plant "seed potatoes" in February under cover (such as in a greenhouse or polytunnel) or outdoors in well-drained soil once the soil temperature reaches around 7°C. Chitting (pre-sprouting) seed potatoes indoors in February can give an early start, with planting out when frost risk diminishes[common horticultural practice inferred, not explicitly in results].
**Strawberries**
Strawberries can be planted in February if the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Plant dormant runners or crown plants in well-prepared soil enriched with compost. You can also start strawberry plants indoors or under cover in February to get a head start for spring fruiting. Ensure they receive good sunlight and water but avoid waterlogging[common gardening practice, not specified in your search results].
For early strawberry production in the greenhouse, 'Elsanta' and 'Cambridge Favourite' are recommended.
**Preparing the Soil**
Ensure that the soil for all these crops is well-prepared, free-draining, and in a sunny location. To aerate the seed bed and help it warm up faster, rake dark organic matter into the surface.
**Additional Tips**
Covering seed beds with clear covers can increase the soil temperature by a few degrees in a month or so, making it ready for the sowing of early crops like spinach, beetroot, parsnips, and salad leaves.
For broad beans, sowing outdoors can start in February. For potatoes, chit seed potatoes indoors in February and plant outdoors as soon as soil conditions permit. For strawberries, plant dormant crowns outdoors if conditions are suitable or start under cover.
The chitting process is optional for maincrop potatoes. Potatoes can be chit-ready for planting in about 6 weeks, with the chits being 2cm high.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts can begin sowing broad beans indoors in trays or modules during February for a successful broad bean harvest later.
- For the home-and-garden lifestyle, February is also the ideal time to start preparing the soil for strawberries, as they can be planted outdoors if the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
