Monty Don shares 'major' February gardening job to do for glorious spring bulbs

Monty Don shares 'major' gardening job to do this month (Image: Getty)

Eager gardeners will anticipate the brighter days that come with spring, which means they can get outdoors in daylight.

It can seem as though there is a never-ending list of things to tend to in domestic gardens, from sowing seeds and raking leaves to fixing brown patches in the lawn.

As gardening extraordinaire Monty Don agrees, the only way to complete your spring garden preparations is to focus on the most pressing tasks first.

Sharing insight on his blog, Monty encouraged Britons to focus on everything February offers. "February is the month when the garden starts to come alive and grow, even if the weather can be severe and the days are still short. In February, something is happening. There is a thrill in the air," he said.

One of the so-called thrills of the new month is stimulating spring bulbs. And Monty says one specific task is crucial at this time of year.

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Monty said mulching is something that will make a big difference and pay real dividends all year (Image: Getty)

Mulching involves adding a thick layer of organic matter, usually manure, compost or bark, on the surface of flower beds or plant pots.

Doing this has several well-known benefits, including retaining soil moisture, suppressing weeds, adding nutrients and insulating plant roots.

Mulch is a gardening job that can benefit everything from decorative shrubs and flowerbeds to homegrown fruit and vegetables. When done at the right time of year, lawns reap the rewards.

Spring blooms are the thing to focus on in February, says Monty Don, who recommended mulching garden borders or wherever your bulbs are planted "before the foliage gets too big". The gardening expert noted that this applies to tulips, alliums, and daffodils.

Monty suggests mulching before spring bulb foliage gets too big (Image: Getty)

Mulching spring bulbs is a "major job" in Monty's garden due to the sheer size of his outdoor space, home to more than 50 separate borders. But it's also major by other means for even the smallest gardens.

Monty said: "Mulching will make a big difference and pay real dividends right through the year, suppressing weeds, retaining moisture and feeding the soil."

Surprisingly, given its effectiveness, it's easy to do. All you need to do is gather your mulch, homemade or purchased from a garden centre, and spread a generous material layer over bare soil.

The gardening maestro suggests homemade garden compost is the best and richest mulch, but shopbought alternatives like organic peat-free compost are great and pair well with bark chips.

As for where to mulch, "any bare soil" in your garden will benefit - particularly areas housing spring bulbs, said Monty.

If you're using carefully selected material, getting mulching wrong is nearly impossible.

There is just one golden rule for gardeners, however. "Whatever you use, it is important to spread it thick enough - no less than two inches deep and twice that if you have enough material", warned the gardening expert.

If you think you have under-catered the mulch needed for your garden, Monty advises doing "half of your garden properly" rather than trying to stretch it across the whole space. The layers will be too thin.

You can even mulch your garden on a rainy day. Many gardeners consider it the best time to apply mulch as the soil is already moist, which helps the mulch settle and retain moisture effectively.

You should avoid mulching when the ground is completely waterlogged or experiencing heavy rain that might wash away the mulch.