ONE WINTER MONTH DOWN WITH ONE MORE TO GO
I am warming up to the fact that spring will be here soon. I am excited, and I hope you are as well. The month of February can be looked at as a transitional month as we head toward March and the beginning of spring. Sure, we will have more cold days in February. But, at the same time, our daylight sunshine is getting longer, and we can experience more warm spells. And, being a leap year, February has an extra day this year.
HERE ARE A FEW GARDENING TASKS AND THOUGHTS
- I did a soil temperature test. Our soil temperature is 43 degrees. So our soil is not frozen. Therefore, if you need to plant or transplant anything, it is a good time to do so.
- February can be a fun month to get outside on nice, sunny, warm days, and plan your strategy as to what you want to do come spring by adding new and different plants.
- Summer blooming bulbs are arriving. Don’t forget to add some bulbs to your container gardens.
- Looking at the SHRUB PRUNING CALENDAR – February is the month to prune your fruit trees while they are still dormant. And now is a good time to spray these fruit trees with the BONIDE ALL SEASON HORTICULTURAL OIL. Spraying in February is very effective in controlling insects that are harboring on the trunk and limbs. Just keep in mind that as you read the label, you need to use the oil spray when the temperature is above 40 degrees.
- Now is a good time to cut back your liriope “monkey grass.” Also, if you allowed your tall, ornamental grass to stay as is through the winter, then now is a good time to go ahead and cut it down to as close to the ground as possible to get ready for the upcoming growing season.
- Don’t forget about our birds. They need our help with food and water until we warm up and our plants wake up.
- If you question or are concerned about the performance of your various plants and think the problem may be with the soil, then now is a good time to complete a soil test analysis.
- Houseplants are beginning to notice longer daylight time and brighter sunlight and begin growing. February is a good month to begin feeding your houseplants.
- Mid-to-late February is a good time to apply a crabgrass pre-emergent to your lawn. A pre-emergent will help keep the crabgrass seed from germinating.
ENJOY FEBRUARY & PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!