1. PROTECTING AGAINST COLD WEATHER - February is one of the coldest months of the year. Any plants that are wintering over may need some extra protection at this time of the year, so take care to keep an eye on weather conditions and insulate your plants as required. Typically, using any type of cloth-like material as a cover is sufficient. Just remember to take the covering away as soon as the weather improves again. This may mean removing and replacing the cover on a daily basis for a few days. Another insulating material that is popular is straw. It is usually very easy to find bales of straw in the months of October and November. Some gardeners like to break the bale apart and cover the plants with the straw. If you do container planting in a very cold climate, it is often best to leave the straw in the bale form and just place bales like a wall against the containers - giving more protection against the cold, winds, and snow/freezing rain. For extra protection, just break up a bale or two and cover the plants with the straw. Unlike cloth, this method does not require you to remove the straw until the weather improves in the springtime.
2. PREPPING SOIL FOR VEGETABLE GARDENING - Sometimes, February can be a good month to begin tilling and prepping the soil for early planting. Of course, this depends on the weather zone that you live in. You should only try prepping the soil when it is dry enough to work. An easy test you can do to determine whether or not the soil is ready is to simply take some soil in your hand and squeeze. If water drips out, then the soil is still not ready to work. February can also be a good time to amend the soil with additives such as compost and other organic matter. Starting seeds indoors for planting later in the spring is ideal during February. Just use a good planting/potting soil in which to start the seeds. Best results will come if seedlings are started in a warm, bright spot.
3. PRUNING TREES - Although it is often the coldest month of the year (or perhaps because it is often the coldest month of the year), February is one of the best months for pruning fruit, shade and other flowering trees. With the flowering trees and bushes like forsythia and spirea be sure to prune them AFTER they've finished flowering. Some basic reasons for pruning include improving the shape of the plant, improve air circulation, and give better sun exposure. Be sure to remove dead or broken branches. Suckers and branches pointing down towards the ground should also be removed - not only to improve the shape of the plant, but to improve production of fruit trees. NOTE: Pruning roses should not be done until late in February or March.
4. PLANTING AND TRANSPLANTING FRUIT TREES AND BERRIES - February can be a perfect time for planting or transplanting most varieties of garden trees. Taking advantage of their dormant season allows them to be planted/transplanted without causing them to suffer from transplant shock. Take advantage of the season to set out the various types of berries, too. Roses as well as deciduous and evergreen shrubs can also be planted in February.
5. FERTILIZING AND SPRAYING - Mid February or later is when you should start thinking about fertilizing trees and evergreens. A good all purpose garden fertilizer is desirable for roses, fruit trees, flowering trees, and deciduous trees and shrubs in general. Other fertilizers such as a rhododendron fertilizer can be used to feed evergreens, azaleas, and obviously rhododendrons. Be sure that you use plenty of water after applying the fertilizer, especially if using a dry fertilizer
. The last application of winter dormant spraying can also be done. Spray when there is very low to no wind and when temperatures are above freezing.
0 comments:
Post a Comment