February brings, among other things, Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, Groundhog Day … However, regarding the garden it is a month to ponder and tackle all those jobs not given attention to date, otherwise a non-entity month.

As there is little activity growth-wise, it is a good time to take an audit of the property for the coming year, including checking for overhanging branches to power lines or over buildings and footpaths, where large trees are in the vicinity of any buildings or utility pipes. Check for root penetration of ducts and foundations and prune back to a point to arrest future invasion, and in the case of potential problems of encroaching near foundations, construct a concrete barrier between that root and the existing structure.

When large trees require pruning, especially if they have been untouched for several years, it is recommended that an arborist be hired to check the canopy of the tree for potential cavities — not seen from ground level — and correct the problem with drainage pipes or pruning of excessively large heavy boughs.

Trees planted in lawns should be checked for “surface” growing roots, which, when they protrude above the grass sward, can cause damage to rotary and reel mower blades.

Avoid overplanting as this is not good for growth, can encourage pests and disease and will call for additional pruning and pest and disease control, which is labour intensive. Planting hedges too close to the boundary and footpaths and too close between plantings creates excess growth and additional pruning. When planting along boundary lines bordering public footpaths, overhanging branches can obstruct pedestrian movement.

Being less of a maintenance month labour-wise, concentrate on carrying out projects that will result in reduced attention needed in the hard landscape maintenance in the coming months. Painting preserving fences, stabilising dry stack walls and pointing and repairing garden structures in general will free up time that can be better occupied with soft landscaping maintenance in the coming months.

Creating a compost heap not only recycles the garden waste but when rotted down can be incorporated back into the flower beds to enhance the soil content, a win-win exercise as no cost is involved in trucking and the compost is a good additive for the soil, saving on not having to buy.

February is a good month for cleaning the garden shed and inspecting all tools and equipment for cleaning, sharpening and, with machinery, an oil change and greasing. Dirty tools and equipment not only reduce their efficiency but can also be a hosting area for pests and diseases. Check expiry dates on old bottles and packets of pest and disease chemicals and safely discard if old and past the expiry date. A similar approach should apply to slat houses, which can become a major hosting area for nurturing pests and diseases over the winter months.

Cleaning up potted plants and repotting if needed should also be carried out this month. House plants can also be repotted and cleaned up for the coming season. If the weather is accommodating, place them outside in a shady area for several hours to give them a good airing.

With the cost of fresh produce and if space allows, consider creating a vegetable garden either in a plot of open land or building what is known as a square foot garden. This is a raised bed made from timber — rail ties are excellent for this project; fill with soil and create squares across both ways with pieces of cord being twelve inches square. Contingent on how much produce is required, make a list of the popular veggies then divide the area into two or three sections. In each section plant, eg, six onions, sow seed and thin to 20 carrots when germinated; one cabbage, one cauliflower, three peppers, etc. By planting in small numbers, it is easy to use and not waste the produce. After several weeks repeat the process in the unused squares. This is a great way to grow small amounts of produce with little waste and easy maintenance of a small plot. Tubs can be used for growing carrots, onions, lettuce, tomatoes (in a protected area), beetroot, turnip and herbs. Whatever the method, the satisfaction of home-grown produce is well worth the effort.

• Malcolm D. Griffiths is a trained horticulturalist and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture in Britain. He is also past president of the Bermuda Horticultural Society, the Bermuda Orchid Society and the Bermuda Botanical Society