Winter is the time for planning and preparing for the spring. |
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| Tropical Houseplants |
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Let tap water stand overnight to allow chemicals in tap water to dissipate and to come to room temperature before using on plants. |
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Fluffy, white mealy bugs on houseplants are easily killed by swabbing them with a cotton Q-Tip soaked in rubbing alcohol. |
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Use Safer Insecticidal Soap spray to safely control of many insect pests on most houseplants. |
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Be sure to clean the dust off of houseplant leaves. The leaves will gather light more efficiently and result in better growth. |
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Place humidity-loving house plants on top of pebbles in trays or saucers filled with and water. |
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Repot root-bound house plants in late February before vigorous growth occurs. Choose a new container that is only 1 or 2 inches larger in diameter than the old pot. |
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Begin to fertilize house plants in February as they show signs of new growth. Use an organic fertilizer such as Fish Emulsion or Gro-tone. |
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Remember to not over water cactus and succulents reduce the danger of root rot. |
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Turn your pots regularly to ensure that every side of the plant is receiving sunlight. |
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Spray with All Seasons Horticultural Spray Oil to kill scale and other insects. |
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Use small stones or Pot Toppers to keep cats from digging in tropical plant containers. |
| Flowers and Bulbs |
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Check plants that may have heaved out of the ground from freezing and thawing. Gently press
back into the soil. |
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If you have overwintered your geraniums, now is the time to take cuttings. Keep the foliage dry to avoid leaf and stem diseases. |
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Check stored summer bulbs such as dahlias, cannas and gladiolus to be sure they are not rotting or drying out. Discard any that show signs of rot. |
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If you didn't get your Spring blooming bulbs planted before the ground froze, plant them immediately in individual peat pots and place the pots in flats. Set them outside where it is cold and bury the bulbs under thick blankets of leaves. Transplant them into the garden any time weather permits. |
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Keep a look out for Winter aconite (Eranthis sp.) and snowdrops (Galanthus sp.). These hardy bulbs for shady gardens frequently push up through snow to bloom in February. |
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Remove spent flowers on Amaryllis. Place in a bright sunny window so the leaves will fully develop. Keep the soil evenly moist, not soggy. Fertilize occasionally with Gro-tone or Fish Emulsion. |
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In early February start seeds of slow-growing annuals like ageratum, verbena, petunias, geraniums, coleus, impatiens and salvia. Plant in Cow Pots for easy transplanting outside when the weather is warmer. Cow Pots are not only biodegradable but they add nutrients to the soil. |
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Sow pansy seeds indoors now for spring color. |
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In mid-February sow seeds of larkspur, sweet peas, violas and snapdragons where they are to
grow outdoors. To bloom best, these plants must sprout and begin growth well before warm
weather arrives. |
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When sowing seeds indoors, be sure to use sterile seed starting mix to prevent diseases. As
soon as seeds sprout, provide strong light and good air movement and plenty of moisture to encourage stocky growth. Click here for more information on starting seeds. |
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To test germination of old seeds, roll up 10 seeds in a damp paper towel. Keep moist and warm. Check for germination in a week. If fewer than half sprout, purchase fresh seed. |
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Use Espoma Bulb-tone on established bulb planting to nurture them for better flowers in spring. |
| Vegetables |
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Good soil is very especially important for growing vegetables. Test your soil with a Basic Soil Test in your garden or new planting areas . Results will come in
the mail with percentage of organic matter, and current levels of primary nutrients. |
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Season extending devices such as row covers will allow for an early start to the growing
season. |
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Start Micro-greens and Sprouts indoors for a quick healthy addition to your winter diet. |
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Don't work garden soils if they are wet. Squeeze a handful of soil. It should form a ball that will
crumble easily. If it is sticky, allow the soil to dry further before tilling or spading. Then add
Espoma Garden -Tone Fertilizer, Worm Castings, Cottonbur Compost, Greensand or Soil
Perfector to help break up soil and add nutrients |
| For the Birds |
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Late winter storms often bury birds' natural food supplies and a well stocked feeding station will provide a life-giving haven for our feathered friends. |
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Old Christmas trees can be recycled outdoors as a feeding station for birds. String garlands of peanuts, popcorn, cranberries, fruits and suet through their boughs. |
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Encourage birds to nest in your yard by providing water and by putting up bird houses. Planting suitable shrubs, trees, vines and evergreens will provide wild food sources and nesting habitat. |
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Shelter, food, and nesting areas are necessary to attract and encourage birds to your garden. Birdhouses provide shelter. Feeders and berry-producing shrubs such as winterberry (deciduous holly), provide food and nesting areas. |
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Select seed to attract your favorite birds. Chickadees, Cardinals, Nut Hatches, and Finches are attracted to sunflower seed and thistle. Woodpeckers enjoy suet. |
Trees and Shrubs |
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Use Felco Pruning Shears or Folding Saw to remove limbs damaged by ice or snow. These damaged limbs should be pruned as soon as detected to prevent bark from tearing and injuring the plant. When pruning diseased branches, sterilize tools with a one-part bleach, nine parts water solution in between cuts. Dry your tools at day's end and rub them lightly with oil to prevent rusting. Our friend Robert Weaver at the Gateway Gardener Magazine put together a great video on light pruning. Worth the watch! |
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Check all fruit trees for evidence of rodent injury to bark. Place fencing such as chicken wire around the trunks as a barrier. |
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To reduce injury, allow ice to melt naturally from plants. Remove ice may damage plants further. |
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Keep watering evergreens if the soil is dry and not frozen. Use cold water! |
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Dormant sprays can be applied to ornamental trees and shrubs in the last half of the month on a
mild day while temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. |
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Check fruit trees for tent caterpillar egg masses These are laid on twigs in tight clusters that resemble an oblong brown lump of gum wrapped around the stem. Prune off these twigs or destroy the eggs by scratching off the clusters with your thumbnail. |
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In February begin pruning fruit trees. Start with apples and pears first. Peaches and nectarines should be pruned just before they bloom. |
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Grapes and bramble fruits may be pruned in February. |
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In the last week of the month, once ground frost is gone, established fruit trees can be fertilized.
Use Pro-Start Fertilizer according to directions. Broadcast fertilizers over the root zone staying
at least one foot from the tree trunk. |
| Lawn |
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To avoid injury to lawns, keep foot traffic to a minimum when soils are wet or frozen. |
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Late February is a good time to apply Lawn Food Plus Crabgrass and Weed Preventer. |
| Miscellaneous |
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Get a jump start planning your garden by scheduling a professional landscape design consultation with Steffie Littlefield of Garden Heights Nursery. |
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Use birdseed, sawdust or vermiculite to gain traction on icy paths. Avoid salt or ice melters as these may injure plants and animal paws. |
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Branches of pussy willow, quince, crabapple, forsythia, pear and flowering cherry may be forced indoors. Place cut stems in a vase of water and change the water every 4 days. |
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Save grape vine prunings for making into attractive wreaths and other craft objects. |
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Inventory tools and clean and sharpen garden shears and spades. Check your gloves for holes and replace them to be ready for the gardening season. |
