In The Fruit Garden This February

Prune Fruit Trees and Bushes 

• Apple and Pear Trees: Now is an ideal time to prune your apple and pear trees while they’re still dormant (before buds start to swell). Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches to encourage better airflow and healthy growth in the spring. 
• Stone Fruits: Plums, cherries, and peaches can also be pruned in February. These trees benefit from some light pruning to remove any dead or damaged wood. Just be cautious with pruning peaches in particularly cold areas, as they can be more sensitive to frost. 
• Soft Fruits: For currants (black, red, and white), you can prune back old wood to encourage new growth. For raspberries, cut back last year’s canes to ground level for summer fruiting types, and cut any dead wood in autumn-fruiting varieties. 

Rhubarb Forcing

• If you’re a fan of early rhubarb, consider forcing rhubarb by covering it with a large, dark pot or a forcing cloche to encourage an early crop. Rhubarb is usually left to grow naturally in spring, but forcing gives you an earlier, tender harvest. 

Start Preparing for New Plantings 

• Bare-Root Fruit Plants: If you’re planting new fruit trees, bushes, or vines, February is a good time to buy bare-rooted plants. These plants are typically available until early spring. You can plant them as long as the soil is not too waterlogged or frozen. 
• Fruit Cane Supports: Prepare fruit cane supports (such as for blackberries, raspberries, or grapevines) by checking that the posts and wires are secure and sturdy. You may also want to replace any damaged parts. 

Feed and Mulch 

• Feed Fruit Trees: Consider applying a slow-release fertiliser to your fruit trees to provide them with nutrients to start the growing season. Make sure not to overfeed, as too much nitrogen can result in weak growth. 
• Mulch Around Trees and Bushes: Apply a layer of well-rotted compost or mulch around the base of fruit trees and bushes. This helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and adds organic matter to the soil. 

Protect Against Frost 

• Cover Sensitive Plants: If there’s a risk of a particularly harsh frost, consider covering early-blooming fruit trees like apples and cherries with frost fleece or garden fabric to protect delicate buds from frost damage. 
• Check Tree Supports: Ensure that any young trees or fruit bushes are securely staked to prevent them from being damaged by wind or snow. 

Take Care of Fruiting Strawberries 

• Strawberry Beds: If you grow strawberries, it’s a good time to check that your strawberry plants are free of weeds and that the crowns are healthy. You can also tidy up the beds by removing any dead leaves. 
• Protect from Frost: Consider covering strawberry beds with a light mulch or fleece to protect them from harsh frosts and to encourage early growth when temperatures rise. 

Inspect Fruit Trees for Pests and Diseases 

• Fruit Tree Check: Walk through your garden and inspect your fruit trees for signs of any pests or disease. In particular, check for signs of scale insects, aphids, or moss on the bark. You can use horticultural oil or winter tree wash sprays if needed to treat certain pests during dormancy. 
• Grapevines: If you have grapevines, now is a good time to remove any old, worn-out canes and inspect for mildew or fungal issues. 

While February can be chilly and quiet in the fruit garden, these tasks will set you up for a fruitful and healthy growing season ahead. It’s all about giving your fruit trees and bushes a little attention to ensure they thrive come spring! 🍏🍓