Monday, February 15, 2016

February  ...   In the Garden

This month's post comes a wee bit late.  It seems the weather may cooperate with me as the trusty Groundhog couldn't even see a glimpse of his shadow this month.  To say the least, I have been busy. I am cleaning this month.  Spring cleaning, so to speak.  I won't really have time when Spring actually arrives.  It's better to roll the sleeves up now and finish all those half started projects from late Fall.


Today the sun is shining and it is supposed to be up to 58 degrees.  I noticed yesterday the little buds on all the trees swelling up.  Spring is soon to follow.  This time of year is when I do most of my pruning and cleaning up what our previous season has left for me. 


Oh my,..its already the 15th of February.  And I keep hearing Mother Nature whispering in my ear.  Bring flowers and they will come.  So last weekend we actually had sunshine and I am hoping the same for this one.  Our phone calls have doubled in the past week and everybody is ready for the Spring to set down her foot and stay until glorious SUMMERtime.


This month in the garden you can prepare your beds and watch your little crocuses and daffodils, hyacinths and tulips start to peek above the dirt.  You can give these a layer of fresh mulch if you like or just let them rear their pretty little heads above ground without so much as an early weeding.  These are bulbs.  They do pretty well on their own.


Your early blooming perennials should be coming out of dormancy as well.  Things like Astilbe, Dicentra, Poppy, Aruncus, Dianthus, and Hemerocallis should just be starting to show some new foliage this time of year.  If it's unusually cold, you may not see them until the first of March.  This year, however, they are already starting to break ground.  If you absolutely CANNOT wait for the first spots of color to come on the scene, there is always primroses and pansies to satisfy cold loving annual planters.


This month you will begin seeing seed potatoes, asparagus, and summer blooming bulbs in stores.  This is the best time to pick up Dahlia, Crocosmia, and other late summer bloomers.   You can also get a jump on your fruit garden by planting strawberries, bare root cane berries, and also fruit trees this time of year.  This gives them ample opportunity to become established and produce same season.   


I guess that is about it for February gardening.  If you still want more outdoor activities, think about making a homemade nesting ground for our most important pollenizers. BEES.  Or put up some winter food for the birds in your neighborhood.  You can even research and put together a plant list to attract hummingbirds or butterflies.  Also great pollenizers!  See which one of your garden buddies can put out the most perfect pollenization plan.




1 comment: