The Vegetable Plot – February

Time to prepare vegetable seed beds, clearing the soil of weeds by hoeing. Clear out old beds of Brussels sprouts and cabbages. You can direct sow peas and broad beans under fleece towards the end of the month. Plant shallots and make sure ground is well trenched or rotovated for onion main crops. Chit potatoes and sow parsley in a warm, sheltered place.

Sow Brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrots, cauliflowers, lettuces, onions, leeks, parsnips, peas, radishes, spinach, tomatoes and turnips.

• Plant artichokes, garlic, winter lettuce, early potatoes, rhubarb and seakale when conditions allow 
• Harden off plants that have wintered under cloches – cauliflowers and lettuces 
• Under glass sow aubergines, broad beans, French beans, beetroot, celery, tomatoes, marrows and peppers 
• Plant potatoes for forcing 
• Finish pruning damsons, plums and quince 
• Make a new bed for strawberries