February in the maritime Northwest means one thing—rain. With the ground often saturated, it’s essential to take the right steps to protect and prepare your garden for the growing season ahead. Eco-Restore can help you navigate these wet conditions with practical solutions tailored to your space.

Understanding Saturated Soil

Heavy rainfall fills all the air spaces in the soil, making it waterlogged and prone to compaction. Working the soil when it’s too wet can damage its structure, creating long-term problems. To test if your soil is ready, dig down 6 to 8 inches, form a handful into a ball, and toss it gently into the air. If it crumbles upon landing back in your hand, it’s ready to work. If it stays intact, it needs more time to dry.

Season Extenders: Cloches and Row Covers

A simple way to manage excess moisture and warm the soil is to use cloches or row covers. These structures prevent additional rain from saturating your garden beds and create a warmer microclimate for early plantings. Set them up 2 to 3 weeks in advance to allow the soil to dry sufficiently before sowing.

Sowing Early Crops

The Pacific Northwest tradition says, “Sow your peas by President’s Day,” and you can also start early spring greens like spinach and arugula by late February. These seeds germinate best when the top 2 inches of soil reach 50–60°F. These would do well by starting under cover. A compost or soil thermometer can help you determine the right timing.

Dividing Perennials

Late winter is the perfect time to divide perennials that bloom from late spring through fall. Over time, many perennials develop a “donut” growth pattern, where the center becomes woody and unproductive. Uproot the entire plant, remove the dead center, and separate the younger sections using clean and sanitized garden forks or a sharp knife. Before replanting, refresh the soil with compost and amendments to encourage healthy new growth.

Planting Bare-Root Trees and Shrubs

February is also ideal for preparing and planting bare-root trees and shrubs. These plants are in a dormant state, making it easier for them to establish strong root systems before the growing season is in full swing. Choose a well-drained site and amend the planting hole with compost to give your new additions a strong start.

Late-Season Garlic Planting

If you didn’t get all your garlic planted in fall, there’s still time! Garlic planted now will develop into smaller bulbs than those planted earlier but will still be flavorful and useful in the kitchen. Ensure well-drained soil and mulch the area to protect against temperature fluctuations.

Winter Pruning: Grapes and Beyond

Pruning grapevines in February ensures they remain productive and healthy. Remove old, unproductive wood while shaping the plant to encourage air circulation and future fruiting. This is also a great time to prune other dormant fruit-bearing plants like currants, blueberries, and figs.

Preparing for Seed Starting

With spring on the horizon, it’s time to get ready for seed starting!

Sanitize Recycled Pots: Clean containers with a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) to prevent disease spread.
Set Up a Propagation Area: Choose a warm space with supplemental light to give seedlings a strong start. Most seeds germinate best at 60–72°F, and bottom heat can improve success rates.
Plan for Transplanting: As seedlings grow, they will need more space. Ensure you have enough trays and pots ready for potting up. Visit a local nursery to see if you can have a few before buying new.
Harden Off Seedlings: Gradually introduce young plants to outdoor conditions. Sun exposure can be just as stressful as cold nights, so move them outside in small increments.

Weeding, Mulching, and Beneficial Insects

Get ahead of spring weeds by clearing and mulching perennial beds now. Early action prevents unwanted growth and locks in soil moisture before the drier months ahead. Now is a great time to begin watching your leaf piles and hollow-stemmed shrubs for pollinators to emerge. You may see small holes with fresh soil around them as they excavate.

How Eco-Restore Can Help

Eco-Restore specializes in practical, permaculture-based solutions to make your garden resilient and productive. Whether you need help setting up season extenders, preparing soil, or strategizing for the months ahead, we’re here to guide you through the process.

Ready to tackle your February gardening tasks? Let’s work together to make this season a success!

Garden Pro-Tip February