Planting in February: Tips For A Gentle Start

Planting in February: Tips for a Gentle Start

By late winter, the season begins to change its tone.
The days are still cool, but the light lingers a little longer. The ground, though cold, is workable. This is the point where preparation turns into possibility.

February is an often-overlooked month for planting, yet it’s one of the most forgiving. Trees planted now aren’t asked to perform. There’s no pressure to leaf or flower or impress. Instead, they’re given time. Time to settle, to anchor, to quietly do the work that will support visible growth later on.

This is exactly why Grow With Me takes place now.

A gentle start matters. Especially when planting with children, or when the act itself is meant to be meaningful rather than hurried. Winter planting allows for just that, steady hands, unforced moments, and space to take things slowly.

One of the most common worries we hear is whether planting in winter is “too early”. It can feel counterintuitive, particularly if we’re used to associating growth with spring. But in reality, planting while the tree is dormant is often best. Energy isn’t being pulled into leaves or blossom; it’s being directed into roots. The ground supports this work quietly, holding moisture and structure without demanding too much in return.

Within Grow With Me, planting is intentionally simple.

Trees are chosen to suit the season and the site, and the process itself is unhurried. There’s time to dig properly, to place roots carefully, to firm the soil without rushing ahead. It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing enough, and doing it well.

For families, this can be a surprisingly grounding experience. Children notice the weight of the soil, the shape of the roots, the feeling of planting something that won’t be “finished” by the time they leave. It opens the door to conversations about patience, care, and returning, ideas that sit naturally within late winter.

A gentle start also means letting go of expectations.

There’s no immediate reward in February planting, and that’s part of its quiet lesson. What’s planted now will rest before it grows. The change comes later, gradually, often without announcement. And yet, this early work is what makes that future growth possible.

Grow With Me is designed around this understanding. It’s not about quick results, but about planting at the right time, in the right way, and trusting the process that follows. The season carries the rest.

As winter draws towards its close, this feels like a fitting way to mark the shift. Not by rushing ahead to spring, but by preparing the ground properly, with care and intention.

The ground knows what to do.
All we need to do is meet it where it is.

Planting for Grow With Me will take place around February half term, during this brief winter planting window. Full details of what’s involved, along with booking information, can be found on the Grow With Me page.