February in the Kitchen Garden: What to Sow Now
It's not too early to start! Here's what experienced Wealden growers are getting into the ground — and onto the windowsill — this month.
February might feel bleak, but it's the month that sets up your growing year. Under cover (cold frame, greenhouse or sunny windowsill), you can start broad beans, early peas, onion sets, and hardy lettuce varieties.
Outside, if the soil isn't waterlogged, get garlic cloves and shallots in now — they benefit from a cold spell. Jerusalem artichokes can go in too. It's also the perfect time to prepare beds: spread well-rotted compost and cover with cardboard to suppress weeds.
Local tip: Wealden soil tends to be heavy clay in the valleys and sandy on the ridges. Clay-soil gardeners should wait until March for most direct sowing, but ridge-dwellers can get started now.