What to Do in the Garden in February

February may well be the toughest gardening month. Thank goodness it’s short. Gardeners in warm climates don’t know what kind of weather to expect from day to day or from day to night. Gardeners in cold climates have put the holidays behind them and just want to see the sun shine again.

But that doesn’t stop the true gardener from working on his garden. February is for planning and for seeing the first signs that spring is around the corner. And it is especially for pruning. So take advantage of those rare sunny days and get back in your garden.

Here are some regional tips for gardening in February. However since February weather is so unpredictable, you’ll have to use some judgment.

Everyone

·         Finish up your catalog shopping and get your seed and plant orders in

·         Keep an eye on houseplant pests

·         Get your garden tools in order

Warmer Regions (Zone 8 and Higher)

    Watch out for cold snaps and be ready to protect tender plants

    Start to rejuvenate annual flower beds

    Keep watering, unless there are restrictions

    Propagate some new plants from cuttings

    Continue planting cool season vegetables like: broccoli, cabbage, kale, lettuce, onions

    Harvest winter crops before they bolt

    Plant out cold hard annuals like: pansies and Icelandic poppies

    Start seeds of warm season vegetables and flowers

    Begin dividing perennials

    Plant bare root roses and fruit trees

    Finish pruning roses and fruit trees

    Use dormant spray on roses and fruit trees and shrubs

    Plant regional bulbs like: amayllis, crinums and calla lilies

    Pot up saved tubers and corms like: begonias and cannas

    Weather permitting, you can start dividing perennials

Cold Regions (USDA Hardiness Zone 7 and Lower)

    Prune trees and shrubs, both ornamentals and fruit

    Check flower beds for plants that may have heaved

    Replace mulch as needed

    Check outside plants and trees for animal damage

    Cut some branches for forcing indoors

    Rejuvenate holly bushes with a hard pruning

    Check evergreens for sign of desiccation

    Start seeds of cool season vegetables and flowers