February at a Glance

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Protecting Your Garden in Extreme Summer Heat

This is usually the stretch where the heat really settles in, so it pays to slow things down. Skip heavy pruning, planting or feeding during heatwaves and focus on keeping moisture in the soil.

If water runs off the surface instead of soaking in, the soil may be hydrophobic. A soil wetter like Seasol Super Soil Wetter & Conditioner helps water penetrate again. Mulch afterwards to keep roots cooler and slow evaporation. Regular Seasol applications can also help plants cope with heat and recover once things settle.

A child watering a backyard February garden with a hose on a sunny day.

Watering Tips for February

  1. Water deeply rather than frequently to encourage stronger root growth
  2. Water in the early morning when soil is cooler and plants are less stressed
  3. Avoid watering foliage late in the day, especially in humid conditions
  4. Mulch garden beds to stabilise soil temperature and reduce moisture loss
  5. Give the garden a good soak the day before extreme heat
A neatly striped, well‑maintained summer lawn surrounded by lush green trees.

Summer Lawn Care Tips

Lawns often look a bit tired by February. Yellow patches, thinning and uneven colour are common. Mowing a little higher helps shade the soil and reduce moisture loss, and deep morning watering is far better than quick, shallow top-ups.

If water pools on the surface or the soil feels hard, a soil wetter like Seasol Super Soil Wetter & Conditioner can help moisture soak in evenly. When temperatures ease, Seasol for Lush Green Lawns supports root health and recovery without forcing growth while the lawn is stressed.

Veggie Patch Care in Late Summer

Vegies keep producing in February, but they don’t enjoy big swings in heat or moisture. Tomatoes, capsicum, cucumbers, zucchinis and beans all do best with consistent watering, decent airflow and regular harvesting. Picking often takes pressure off the plant and keeps it fruiting.

Feed with PowerFeed PRO Series Tomatoes & Vegetables about every two weeks, easing back if it’s very hot or humid. This supports fruiting without pushing soft growth that struggles in the heat. Keep an eye out for aphids, whitefly and similar pests and deal with them early using EarthCare White Oil Insect Spray.

Late summer is also a quiet chance to reset. Clear out tired crops, freshen the soil with compost or Seasol Liquid Compost and leave beds mulched and resting before autumn planting.

A backyard vegetable garden with leafy greens growing in a raised metal garden bed.
Gloved hands harvesting ripe cherry tomatoes from a lush garden plant.

Fruit Fly Control in February

Fruit fly pressure is usually highest in February. Tomatoes, capsicum and stone fruit are easy targets. Splash baits and traps help reduce numbers, and harvesting tomatoes as soon as they start to colour can prevent damage. They’ll finish ripening indoors without any issues. Cherry tomatoes are often less affected and can be a simpler option where fruit flies are constant.

Roses & Summer Flowering Plants

Roses and summer flowers can slow right down in prolonged heat. Deadheading spent blooms and lightly pruning to open the plant up helps improve airflow. Feed with Seasol plus Nutrients Roses & Flowers and always water in well, leaving feeding for the cooler parts of the day.

Dahlias often need staking after storms and do better with a bit of afternoon shade in hot weather. In humid areas, good airflow and avoiding wet leaves late in the day helps reduce problems like black spot and mildew.

A colourful garden bed filled with vibrant zinnias and other summer blooms.
A bright indoor plant setup with a variety of leafy houseplants arranged on shelves.

Caring for Indoor Plants in Summer

Indoor plants feel summer too. Hot windows, strong sun and dry air from air conditioning can all knock them around. Pull plants back from harsh light, water when the top few centimetres of mix feel dry and wipe dust off leaves so they can photosynthesise properly.

Feed lightly with PowerFeed Indoor & Potted Plants. For humidity-loving plants, light misting can help for a short time. Keep an eye out for pests like scale or mealybug and treat early with EarthCare White Oil if needed.

5 February Gardening Jobs Worth Prioritising

  1. Rehydrate hydrophobic soil so water soaks in properly
  2. Repair tired lawns with deep watering and higher mowing
  3. Harvest regularly to keep summer crops producing longer
  4. Clear spent crops and refresh beds with compost
  5. Treat pests early before numbers build in heat