Jobs for February in your Wild Space

The Secret Gardener

This winter’s storms have been especially destructive, bringing down trees and changing the landscape in towns and the countryside across the UK.

In my Wild Space, I’ve been using the fallen branches to make log piles. There’s no one method for doing this – you can be as neat or as messy as you like. It might seem like the idea is too simple to be effective, but insects can actively seek out sheltered spaces such as these. Adult butterflies and moths can crawl into dark spaces and spend the winter within them. This is why butterflies like Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock have dark undersides to their wings, so they can mimic dead leaves when overwintering in tree hollows, among Ivy or in caves. So, within the log pile, I aim to make a variety of different-sized spaces, with some large ‘rooms’ in the centre, where I hope that adult insects can be safe.

In February, the first fresh shoots really start to sprout from perennial plants. I allow fallen leaves to remain on the flower beds for winter, but in spring the plants will start to need more light. So, to help them I just move the leaves off the growing plants, piling them up around the sides of the plants or tucking them under the growing leaves. This makes sure that the caterpillars and pupae tucked up in the leaves aren’t disturbed too much, while the plants have access to the light they need.

It’s still too early to sow anything in February for most of the UK. But there’s no harm in planning for the main sowing month, March, when there’s more light around for seedlings in greenhouses and on windowsills. We’ve got lots of great tips for what to grow for butterflies and moths in our info hub, especially if you’re going to grow things from seed and need to order them in advance.

It won’t be long before we see our first butterflies of the year too, which usually start flying in late March in most parts. It’s an exciting time, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they use the Wild Space I’ve made for them at home.

Looking for superstar plants for butterflies and moths for your Wild Space? Visit Superstar plants for any Wild Space – Wild Spaces