What To Do in the Garden in February
- Posted on
- By Terry Wibberg
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This is a simple To-Do list for gardeners in the Montgomery County Texas area.
- Prune fruit trees, roses, and other deciduous shrubs while they are still dormant. Remove any dead or diseased wood, and thin out crowded or crossing branches to improve air circulation and promote new growth.
- Plant cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, kale, and broccoli. Prepare the soil by adding compost, and choose a sunny, well-drained location.
- Start warm-season annual seeds indoors under grow lights, if you haven't already done so. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants need several weeks to germinate and grow before they can be planted outside.
- Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds from germinating. This is especially important in areas where crabgrass is a problem.
- Prune and shape hedges and evergreen shrubs. Use sharp, clean shears to make neat, even cuts, and avoid cutting back into bare wood or brown needles.
- Check for pests and diseases, and treat as needed. Spider mites, aphids, and scale insects can become active on indoor and outdoor plants as the weather warms up, and fungal diseases can thrive in damp conditions.
- Top-dress garden beds with compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil and improve soil structure. Avoid using fresh manure or high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can burn plants and promote excessive growth.
- Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, and roses before they start to leaf out. Soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting, and water well after planting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
- Protect frost-sensitive plants from cold snaps and freeze damage. Cover them with frost blankets, old sheets, or other protective materials, and avoid pruning or fertilizing until after the last frost date in your area.
- Clean and sharpen garden tools, and oil wooden handles to prevent cracking and splintering. Store them in a dry, protected location to prevent rust and damage.
- Check irrigation systems and make any necessary repairs or adjustments. Test the system to make sure all the heads are working properly, and adjust the watering schedule to account for changing weather conditions.
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