Late February in the Garden: Plan & Prep
- BOOM Group
- Feb 9
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 10
If you’re staring out the window in late February wondering whether you should be doing something for your garden… good news: you absolutely should. Just not with a shovel.
Late winter is the perfect moment to set your garden up for success—without disturbing frozen or waterlogged soil. Think strategy over sweat. Prep over planting. It’s also a quieter, slower season in the garden—one that invites planning, dreaming, and a little inspiration while spring waits just around the corner.
Here’s how to make February work for your spring garden the smart way.
Why February Is About Planning, Not Digging
In most of Canada, soil in February is still frozen or overly wet beneath the surface. Digging too early can compact soil, damage soil structure, reduce airflow and drainage, and create long-term problems that last all season. Early digging does more harm than good.
Instead, this is the moment to let the ground rest—and give yourself permission to plan without pressure. Spring planting will be here soon enough.
What You Should Be Doing in Late February
Plan Your Garden Layout Review what worked last year, what didn’t, sun exposure, and crop rotation. Even a rough sketch helps reduce spring overwhelm. This is a great time to flip through garden books, save inspiration online, or jot notes while ideas are fresh.
Order Seeds Early Popular varieties sell out quickly. Pay attention to days to maturity and disease resistance—especially important in shorter growing seasons. Ordering now turns anticipation into action and gives you something tangible to look forward to.
Start Indoor Seedlings (Select Crops Only) Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, onions, and some flowers benefit from a 6–8 week head start before last frost. Timing is key.
Prep Your Tools & Supplies Clean and sharpen tools, wash seed trays, and stock up on soil and compost now—before spring gets busy.
Observe Your Garden Notice where snow melts first, which areas stay wet, and how sunlight shifts. These quiet observations guide smarter planting decisions later.
What to Avoid Right Now
Avoid digging frozen or wet soil, fertilizing dormant ground, removing mulch too early, or starting all seeds indoors at once.
The Payoff
Gardens that thrive in summer are usually planned in winter. Late February preparation reduces stress, improves soil health, and sets you up for a smooth spring.
And while the ground may still be sleeping, spring planting isn’t far away. This is the perfect time to lean into the season—spend a cozy afternoon with a cup of tea, browse your favourite garden magazines or websites, or take a slow wander through your local garden centre for inspiration.
Take this week to plan—not plant. Choose one small step: sketch your layout, order seeds, or simply gather inspiration. Spring will be here before you know it, and your future garden will thank you for starting now.
Getting your garden spring-ready doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Log in to BOOM to discover exclusive savings on garden prep essentials from top brands like Greengate Garden Centres—and keep more money in your pocket while your garden gets ready to thrive.
Comments