It may still be chilly, but it’s time to get out in the garden (stock) (Image: Getty)
February is the best month to start planting your according to one expert – and there are six seeds which are perfect for the growing year ahead.
“If your fingers are itching to get sowing just like mine are,” Jim Evans says on his channel, “and you want a head start on the growing season then you might want to sow some of these in February.”
He lists seven kitchen garden staples that can be planted this month – adding of course that if you have a greenhouse, or poly tunnel, your seedlings will have that extra bite of protections against late frosts.
Chilis may seem exotic, but you can grow them at home (stock) (Image: Getty Images)
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Sweet and spicy peppers
“Whether you’re sowing sweet bell peppers or chilies, you can get them sown in February,” Jim says.
For the cooler climate we have here in the UK, it’s a good idea to select varieties such as King of the North or Doe Hill for sweet peppers, or Early Jalapeño or Canoncito if you want something a little hotter. As with any seeds it is best to get them from local growers, if you can, or at least from a climate similar to yours. Those plants will have already been adapted to the weather and will grow and produce better.
Jim adds that peppers do better with warmth: “If you have grow-lights or on a bright south-facing windowsill that’s warm.”
You’ll want to set your thermostat around a balmy 21ºC for the best results, he says.
You need to keep your peppers nice and warm, Jim warns (stock) (Image: Getty Images)
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Cool as a cucumber
Cucumbers may be a cooling ingredient in summer salads or cocktail, but now is the time to be thinking about getting them started off. Jim recommends a variety called Mini Munch
Again, he says, a greenhouse will give you cukes the best start: “Just sow them in 9cm pots of multi-purpose compost on a bright south-facing window sill or under grow lights if you have them.”
Cucumbers don’t do well with frost, he adds, and they require some warmth to get going just like peppers.
Onions are a key ingredient in dozens of recipes – so why not grow your own (stock) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Know your onions
It’s traditional to plant your next batch of onions on Boxing Day, but February is actually an ideal time to sow the seeds of these versatile vegetables. He recommends three varieties to grow from seed; Ailsa Craig, Rijnsburger, and Red Magnate.
“When it comes to starting onions from seed,” Jim says, “you can sew them in trays of multi-purpose compost sow them about a centimetre deep, sprinkle some vermiculite on top or you can start them off in modules as well,” he adds.
The trick with carrots is to avoid given them too many nutrients (stock) (Image: Getty Images)
Carrot, no stick
With carrots, Jim says, it’s all about picking the right variety if you want to start them early.
Jim says: “They may take a long time to germinate in February because it is cold but they will eventually germinate. Carrots like a loose, sandy soil that isn’t too rich in nutrients. They don’t need a load of nutrients – you want the soil to be nice and loose with no stones.”
Jim explains that soil that is too rich, your carrots can start growing out root hairs which then will give you “very mangled, mutated carrots” when what people will want to see on their plate will be nice long straight carrots.”
Now’s a good time to plant your first broccoli (stock) (Image: Getty Images/Tetra images RF)
Go green
Jim points out that brassicas, such as broccoli, are a staple element of many meals so it makes sense to grow as much as you can. He picked out a disease-resistant variety called Iron Man as a likely prospect, as well as Autumn Calabrese, a fast-growing variety that produces mild flavoured large green heads that are ideal for freezing.
Making sure your broccoli gets plenty of sunlight is essential, Jim says: “When you pick the main head of this broccoli it will then send out more broccoli shoots, also known as tenderstem broccoli. Get those sown in February in your greenhouse or on your windowsill at home if you – just bear in mind though that they need plenty of light because if you grow them on the window sill that’s not light enough you can get quite ‘leggy’ plants.”
Spinach is a genuine superfood, and quite easy to grow at home (stock) (Image: Getty Images/500px)
Popeye’s favourite
While those of us with large greenhouses can risk more ambitious plantings at this time of year, such as tomatoes, there’s one last recommendation for February from Jim. Spinach, he says, “is a very very healthy thing, probably one of the healthiest vegetables out there.
“It’s a proper superfood, so it makes sense to grow some in your garden. Get some spinach sown in February as well.”
Jim recommends Perpetual spinach, also known as spinach beet. While not strictly spinach, it’s a member of the beet family and tastes similar to spinach. Perpetual spinach is a leafy vegetable that can be harvested all year round, giving you a guaranteed source of A, C, and K, as well as calcium and iron – very healthy for all of us, not just cartoon sailor-men.