February Garden Jobs: What to do Now For a Better Spring

February might feel like the calm before the growing storm, but it’s actually one of the most important months in the gardening calendar. The soil is workable, plants are still dormant, and a little effort now will pay off in a big way come spring.

Here are three key February garden jobs worth tackling now — with practical advice, plant choices, and a few safety reminders to keep things stress-free.

 

Moving Shrubs: Now or Never

 

If a shrub is in the wrong spot — too big, too shaded, or simply not thriving — February is your last good chance to move it before new growth kicks in.

How to do it properly

• Move shrubs while they’re still dormant
• Dig a wide root ball — wider is better than deeper
• Replant immediately and water well, even if the soil feels damp
• Add organic matter (garden compost or well-rotted manure) to help roots settle. When moving a large shrub or a rose, we recommend using Micorrhizal fungi (RootGrow), it will help your plant to get established much faster.

Best shrubs to move now

• Hydrangeas. Arborescens (‘Annabelle’) and Paniculata varieties can be pruned back at this time, if it has not been done in the Autumn. Cut back the plant 30cm above ground.

Hydangea Paniculata, Photo by Annie Spratt

• Roses. If you have not pruned them, now is a good time to do so. See below for details and best practices.
• Spiraea. This beautiful summer flowering shrub should be pruned in Autumn, just after flowering. It is loved by pollinators and very easy to grow.
• Hebe. This highly decorative shrub is the perfect addition to the coastal garden. It requires minimal pruning.

Hebe, Photo by Alexander Cafarella

• Dogwood (Cornus). From brightly coloured wood in winter to larger varieties with showy bracts in Spring, the dogwood will add interest to the pollinator-friendly garden.

💡 Top tip: Always prune back some top growth after moving — fewer leaves = less stress on the roots.

Spade or Fork? Dug a wide hole with a spade but use a fork where the space is limited to avoid damaging the roots.

 

Planting Trees: Big Impact, Small Space Friendly

February is prime time for planting bare-root and container-grown trees, giving them time to establish before spring growth begins.

Best trees for small gardens

If space is tight, these give structure without overpowering the garden:

·         Amelanchier – beautiful spring flowers and autumn colour. While the               Amelanchier Lamarckii holds the RHS Award of Garaden Merit, ‘Ballerina’ is smaller, growing to 4 to 8 metres, high and wide, and produces larger flowers in March/April. ‘Obelisk’ will be more suited to smaller spaces thanks to its columnar habit.

Amelanchier flowers, Photo by Anya Chernykh

• Crab apple (Malus) – compact and great for wildlife. If you are planting this tree to make jelly, try ‘John Downie’ as it bears yellow and orange, large, plum-sized fruits in abundance. Or ‘Evereste’ with smal, red, fruits contrasting beautifully with the foliage in Autumn. Its flowers in Spring are also fragrant.

Crab apple, Photo by Sergej Karpow

• Rowan – upright, light canopy, bird-friendly, the rowan comes in different shapes and sizes. You might find the Vilmorinii most attractive with its pink berries, or you will be seduce by the columnar shape and yellow fruits of ‘Joseph Rock’.
• Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) – slow-growing and elegant. What is not to love about Japanese maples? From short, spreading varieties, cascading foliage or upright vigorous growth, this exotic tree grows easily in Ireland. From Spring to Autumn, enjoy the magnificent foliage and its changing hues.

How to plant successfully

• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball
• Break up the base to help roots grow downwards
• Mix compost with the soil for the roots to spread, especially for trees purchased potted.
• Stake young trees to prevent wind rock
• Water thoroughly and mulch to retain moisture

Recommended tools

• Spade (sharp edge matters here)
• Tree stake and soft tie for tall and thin specimens
• Mulch or bark chips

🌳 Think long-term: Check the mature height and spread before planting — future you will thank you.

Pruning Roses: The February Reset

This is one of the most satisfying February jobs — and one that makes a huge difference to summer flowering.

How to prune roses correctly

• Cut back to outward-facing buds. It is the best practice for air circulation and to prevent fungal diseases.
• Remove dead, damaged, or crossing stems
• Reduce height by roughly one third
• Aim for an open, goblet-shaped plant

What not to prune yet

• Rambling roses (wait until after flowering)
• Climbers (only light shaping now)

Recommended tools

• Sharp secateurs
• Loppers for thicker stems
• Thorn-proof gloves — your hands will thank you

Roses are tougher than they look. If in doubt, cut — they respond brilliantly to a firm prune.

Important: Always keep your tools clean and disinfected to avoid spreading spores.

Final Thought

February gardening is all about setting the stage. A moved shrub, a newly planted tree, or a well-pruned rose bush might not look exciting right now — but come April and May, you’ll be very glad you made the effort.