February is the month where gardens should be getting well prepared for the spring. One of the two most important jobs to start with is preparing the soil while it is still damp enough. This can be done by adding good amounts of rich mulch – compost with rotting leaves and bark – or anything else that can be rotted down! This greatly improves the quality of the soil and will in turn, reduce weed growth and help to  retain a balanced level of moisture.

The second job for this month is to try and sow most of your seeds (the more delicate seedlings can still be sown in March). Generally, if they are left until later, the risk is that there may not be enough rain to give them that much needed push into spring. Likewise any small trees or larger shrubs that you wish to move, need time for their roots to settle before any warmer March weather arrives.Almond branches: Prunis dulcis 

One of the most beautiful sights in the garden, woodland and open countryside at this time, is the almond blossom. The almond or Prunus dulcis (Amygdaliá in Greek) is both evergreen and deciduous and the pretty white or pale pink blossom covering its bare branches is a sure sign that spring is on its way. Being the first to bloom it is always a surprise in what is still considered to be a winter month and I for one, cannot help feeling excited and moved by its stunning appearance. The actual almond nuts seem like an added bonus and they are still velvety and green on the outside, at this stage. They are ready to pick in August as the shell starts to crack to reveal a tasty, milky nut. (They can be picked slightly earlier if preferred when the nut is less milky).
‘Amara’, which is a bitter almond, is popular also for its oil that is used medicinally and it also makes a great hair conditioner. Almonds are used extensively in Greece, in cakes and pastries as decoration or mixed with honey. When coated with sugar, they are given out in small bags after weddings as a token of thanks for attending the ceremony.

By March there is much colour everywhere, albeit that some plants only flower for a week or so. The asphodel – Asphodelus aestivus ( Asfódelos in Greek) – can be seen from miles around, with its tall spiky leaves on the thick strong purple flower stems.

Also a second sure sign that spring is on the way, is the wonderful pink-purple blossom of the Judas Tree – Cercis siliquastrum (Koutsoupiá in Greek). To grow in the garden, as with the almond tree – dJudas Tree: Cercis siliquastrumeep well-drained soil, in the sun or slight shade is needed and good watering through the first years is a must. A year or two is enough for good initial growth. If moving from elsewhere, this is best done at this time or early autumn. It is also deciduous and tends to have many stems and branches, instead of one main trunk.

The story behind the name is that Judas Iscariot is said to have hung himself from this tree and that because of that, the stunningly coloured flowers are blushing with shame – this is probably more of a legend! The reasons being that the branches are not very strong and that it may have been confused with another tree called the Judaea Tree which is to be found in abundance around Jerusalem. Whether you believe the legend or not, you better believe that the Judas Tree makes for a wonderful March bloomer!

By Lucy Paraskeva.