February

To do

Check if you have manure and soil. If you haven’t, contact farmers or horse people nearby to see if you can get or buy some manure in the spring. Keep in mind that you may need to change the soil in pots and grow boxes to prevent disease. It is especially important if you plant the same type of crop year after year.

Take care of your indoor plants. Change or top up the soil, replant in a bigger pot, divide your favorites so you get more for yourself or can give to a friend. Give them some nourishment and shower them so they feel fresh and nice. Extra lovely in gray/brown February (those are the dominant colors here anyway).

Have you ordered seeds? If not, do it! If you have ordered, they will probably arrive soon. Sort and read when and how different seeds should be sown. Feel free to write down which month you will sow different things or put the bags in different piles for different months. In any case, I think it helps to have a little order.

To sow

I will sow basil, lavender and giant verbena in February. If you are sowing onions from seed, it is also time to sow them. You can also sow different leafy vegetables in the greenhouse to get an early harvest of small green leaves. Maybe I’ll sow some spinach, we’ll see. It might start to feel a bit ratchet on fresh, locally grown stuff. Therefore it is absolutely perfect to sow a little sprouts too. Sprouts will be ready in a few days. Alpha-alpha sprouts are classics, but it is also possible to sprout both peas and lentils. Try it yourself and find your and your family’s favorites!

To eat

Look in the freezer and pantry for things you have left over from last year’s cultivations and gatherings of berries and mushrooms. Look in the store for food grown in your area. I find Swedish apples and cabbage, for example. Give yourself a little challenge and skip vegetables that are produced far away, even if you might usually buy them. Choose things that are grown in the immediate area, within the country or in your neighboring countries.

Summary lists

Do:

Check manure and soil

Take care of your potted plants indoors

Order and sort seeds

Sow:

Basil

Onion from seed

Lavender

Giant verbena

Leafy vegetables

Sprouts

Eat:

Look deep into the freezer and pantry

Look for locally grown food (incl. neighboring countries)

Own sprouts