February gardening: Essential Summer care and what to plant now

February in Australia is not for the faint-hearted, nor for the faint-watered. The sun is fierce, the soil is dry, and the garden, much like us, is feeling the full weight of summer. But take heart. With a little thoughtful care (and perhaps a broad-brimmed hat), your garden can not only survive February – it can thrive.

For those of us who’ve seen a good many summers come and go, we know this month is all about working smarter, not harder.

Water Wisely – And Early

If you do nothing else this month, water properly. Forget the light daily sprinkle; it does little more than dampen the surface and tease the roots. Instead, give your plants a deep soak two to three times a week, preferably in the early morning. This encourages roots to grow downwards in search of moisture, making plants far more resilient when the heat bites.

It’s also worth checking whether your soil has become hydrophobic, that dreadfully stubborn condition where water simply runs off instead of soaking in. A soil wetter such as Ezi-Wet can work wonders, allowing moisture to penetrate deeply again.

And mulch – don’t be shy with it. A thick layer keeps roots cool, reduces evaporation, and makes you look terribly efficient.

Harvest & Tidy Up

February is peak harvest time for summer crops. Tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchinis are often producing faster than we can eat them. Pick regularly to keep plants productive and prevent over-ripening.

Once crops are past their best or showing signs of disease, remove them promptly. Clearing out tired plants not only tidies the garden but prepares beds for autumn planting. It’s a little like changing the sheets after a heatwave – fresh and restorative.

Prune & Feed

Roses appreciate attention this month. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage a second flush of flowers as the weather cools. A light feed and a good water will reward you handsomely.

Camellias and azaleas are also forming buds for future flowering. A suitable fertiliser now supports healthy growth and better blooms in the months ahead.

What to Plant in February

While it may still feel like high summer, February is the gateway to autumn planting.

In cool and temperate regions, begin sowing broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kale. Carrots, leeks, lettuce, silverbeet and onions can also go in, particularly toward the end of the month as temperatures ease.

In warm and tropical areas, continue planting beans, eggplant, capsicum, cucumber, okra and sweet corn. Quick-growing leafy greens are ideal, though do keep an eye out for fungal issues in humid conditions.

In arid regions, this is a good time for beans, eggplants, chokos and sweet potatoes.

Herbs thrive now too. Basil positively revels in the heat, while coriander, parsley and lemongrass do well with consistent watering. In fact, this is the perfect time to harvest herbs in abundance and freeze or dry them for winter. A little foresight now makes for very fine soups come July.

Don’t Forget the Flowers

Marigolds, nasturtiums, verbena and ageratum not only add cheerful colour but attract beneficial insects, always welcome guests in a healthy garden.

February gardening is about balance: conserving water, protecting soil, harvesting generously and preparing for cooler days ahead. Tend your garden in the early hours, retreat indoors during the fiercest heat, and remember, autumn is just around the corner.

After all these years, I’ve found February teaches patience. Water deeply, mulch generously, harvest proudly, and trust that seasons, like gardeners, are wonderfully resilient.