Your February Maintenance Check: Sheds, Fences, and Water Butts

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🔧 Your February Maintenance Check: Sheds, Fences, and Water Butts

February is the month where the plot quietly tells you what didn’t survive winter. Nothing dramatic — just the slow reveal of loose felt, sagging boards, and taps that drip only when you’re not looking. This is the moment to deal with the small failures before they become big ones.

You don’t need perfect weather for any of this. Most of it can be done in boots, gloves, and a stubborn mood.

Checking guttering

A shed gutter is one of those things you forget exists until it overflows directly onto your neck.

A quick February check is usually enough:

  • Clear leaves and moss

  • Make sure the downpipe hasn’t shifted

  • Check brackets for cracks

  • Look for leaks during the next shower

If you’re already on the plot in the rain, the Weather Against You post (No. 7) has a list of jobs you can do while sheltering.

Securing shed felt

Wind is the enemy here. February storms find every loose edge.

Look for:

  • Lifted corners

  • Exposed nails

  • Felt that’s starting to crack

  • Damp patches on the inside roof

A hammer, a handful of clout nails, and ten minutes will usually sort it. If the whole roof needs doing, make a note for the first dry weekend — don’t fight February for a full re‑felt.

Cleaning water butts

This is the job everyone puts off, and then wonders why the water smells like a forgotten pond.

A simple February clean keeps things fresh:

  • Empty the last of the winter water

  • Scoop out leaves and sludge

  • Rinse with a watering can

  • Check the tap for drips

  • Make sure the lid fits properly

If you’re not sure what tools you actually need for this, the Tools post on the Allotmenteer blog keeps things realistic.

Checking taps and hoses

Cold snaps can loosen joints or crack plastic without you noticing.

A quick check now saves a lot of swearing later:

  • Tighten connectors

  • Look for hairline cracks

  • Test the tap for leaks

  • Make sure the hose hasn’t frozen into a kink

If you’re doing this in miserable weather, the Layering guide on the Fieldcraft blog will keep you warm enough to stay functional.

Looking for rot in raised beds

February is when rot shows itself — dark patches, soft corners, boards that crumble when you press them.

You don’t need to rebuild anything today. Just:

  • Identify the worst sections

  • Brace anything that’s collapsing

  • Plan replacements for spring

  • Add compost to help the structure hold

If you’re working no‑dig, this ties neatly into the February No‑Dig Guide (Post 5).

The real rule of February maintenance

You’re not trying to perfect anything. You’re trying to stop small problems becoming expensive ones.

A shed that doesn’t leak, a water butt that doesn’t smell, and beds that hold their shape — that’s a February success.

Related posts

If you want to dig a bit deeper, these might help:

Tools – what’s actually worth bringing https://ribblehead-allotmenter.blogspot.com/2026/02/what-to-bring-to-plot-in-february.html

January Tool Care – keeping your kit working https://ribblehead-allotmenter.blogspot.com/2026/01/january-tool-care.html

Layering for cold, wet weather (Fieldcraft Blog) https://ribblehead-fieldcraft.blogspot.com/2026/01/beginners-guide-to-layering-staying.html

Working the Plot When the Weather Is Against You https://ribblehead-allotmenter.blogspot.com/2026/02/working-plot-when-weather-is-against.html

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