IN THE GARDEN

What to plant in February

February weather facts

Average high temperature: 19°C Average low temperature: 14° Average rainfall days: 9 days

February is a dry and mild month with average highs and lows of around. The numbers alone don’t deliver much hope but alas it's not about the cards you're dealt, but how you play the hand.

Are your winter beauties blooming? Chrysanthemum are rarities in Hong Kong, but if you happen to have a pot or two, cuttings should now be put in. Heliotropes may still be potted on, as well as crotons propagated last summer. Put pots and soil undercover for potting purposes next month. Clean pots and fresh soil are necessary for a successful and bountiful bloom. Prune and re-tie Bignonia venusta once it has finished flowering. You can’t miss it - an admirable rich orangy colour that contrasts passive winter hues. Another sowing of Sunflowers may be made. Seeds of verbena venosa may be sown - the plants will flower in July.

If your green reserves are running low, now is a good timing to plant ahead and sow the following: mustard and cress, radish, turnip, Chinese spinach, French beans, peas, cucumber, lettuce, sweet corn, Chinese long beans, water spinach, ochroes and sword beans. Put out young plants of lettuce, vegetable marrow, tomato, cucumber and brinjal. Plant Jerusalem artichokes towards the end of the month. February is still relatively dry, so keep the tubers watered regularly. Asparagus beds may now be manured. Blanch lettuce and endive for succession and earth up celery for the same purpose as well.

Winter does not encourage gardening affairs, but in harsh conditions our love prevails. Once the work is done, sit back and think of the warmer springtime days that lie ahead flowers wilt so a new sapling can grow. Your garden is actually tougher than you know.

By William James Tutcher

F.L.S. (1867-1920)

Superintendent of Hong Kong Botanical Gardens. Paraphrased from his seminal 1906 work Gardening for Hong Kong.