February gardening tips
| Published: 27th January 2008 14:08 |
February is normally a mixed bag, weather-wise, with a number of very wet days, interspersed with lovely sunny but very cold days, and many of the nights being about -3°C (27°F).
Fertilizing, dormant spraying, pruning and starting seeds head the list of February projects. Weather permitting, this can be a great month to get your spring and summer gardening under way.
Fertilizing
Mid to late February is the time to fertilize trees, shrubs and evergreens. Use a rhododendron type fertilizer to feed evergreens such as junipers, conifers, rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. Use a rose or all-purpose garden fertilizer to feed roses, fruit and flowering trees, plus other deciduous trees and shrubs. If you use dry fertilizers, make sure you water-in thoroughly after application.
Pruning
This is one of the best months of the entire year to prune fruit, flowering and shade trees. Deciduous plants such as forsythia, quince, spirea and other early spring flowering shrubs should be pruned a little later, after they have finished flowering. Or, you can cut a few branches early and force them into early bloom in warm water.
Basic pruning is done to improve the shape of the plant, open it up for good air circulation and better sun exposure. Always start your pruning by removing all dead, decayed or broken branches. Water sprouts, suckers and crossed branches can also be removed to improve the appearance of the plant and encourage a better shape. Roses can be pruned late this month or next.
Spraying
February is the month to make the last application of winter dormant spray. A combination of lime-sulphur and oil is the mix generally used for dormant spraying. It should only be used on deciduous trees and shrubs such as fruit, flowering and shade trees. Spray at a time when the wind is not blowing and when temperatures are above freezing. Lime sulphur can burn leaves and needles, so keep away from evergreens.
Starting seeds
Late this month and early next are good times to start seeds indoors. Summer annuals such as perennials, herbs and vegetables should be planted in sterilised soil and placed in a warm, bright spot.
Vegetable soil preparation
Weather permitting, February is the month to begin tilling or spading the soil. Do not undertake this project until the soil is dry enough to work. One of the best ways to test the soil is simply take-up a handful of earth, squeeze it in your hand, and if water oozes out the soil is still too wet to till.
Compost, well-rotted manure and any other organic matter are excellent additives to mix into vegetable garden soil as you prepare it for planting. This is also the time to turn under your cover crops.
Perennial vegetables
Rhubarb, horseradish, asparagus and artichokes are among the perennial vegetables that can be planted this month. Plant them along the perimeters of the vegetable garden so they are not in the way as you till or spade each season.
Planting and transplanting
Now is an excellent time to plant or transplant almost any garden tree or shrub. Fruit, flowering and shade trees can be planted right now during their winter dormant season. Likewise, the various types of berries can be set out now. Both deciduous and evergreen shrubs, including roses can be planted or transplanted this month.
Lawns
Late this month or early next are good times to feed the lawn with a spring lawn fertilizer. If moss is problem, use a fertilizer that contains a moss killer, so you can do both jobs in one easy application. A follow-up application of dolomite lime will help sweeten the soil.
Remember, the coldest weather of the entire year regularly occurs in February, so it is important to keep an eye on forecasts. If exceptionally cold weather is predicted, you can provide some protection to early flowering or tender plants by covering them with some type of cloth material. Remove the covering as soon as the weather moderates again.
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