February to Do's for Arizona Gardeners

Unfortunately just because it's February doesn't mean your yard requires less attention. Instead of putting a lot of energy into your gardens in the spring and fall, try giving them a little attention year-round. The results will be well worth the effort.

Here is a handy guide for February garden tips:

Lawn

- Depending on the temperature, you may still have to water them once to twice per week, but never during the night.
- Fertilize after your first mowing.

Vegetables

- Now is the time to prepare your soil for spring planting. Seeds for some of the hardier plants can also be planted including beets, carrots, corn cucumbers, leaf lettuce, green onions, melons, peas, potatoes, radishes, sunflowers, squash and turnips.
- If you plan on transplanting, now is the time for artichokes, asparagus, chard, lettuce, onions, peppers and tomatoes.

Roses

- Finish pruning your roses by the middle of the month. Minimize your pruning wherever possible. It causes stress in the plant, and makes it susceptible to insect and disease problems. A good rule of thumb is to never remove more than 1/4 of the total plant. Use sharp, disinfected shears for the job.
- Transplant bare root roses.
- Fertilize established roses in the middle of the month, remembering to water the day before and after fertilizing.

Fruit & Nut Trees

- Finish pruning your grapes and deciduous fruit trees by the middle of the month.
- Any bare root transplanting can be done now.
- When your deciduous trees leaf out, it's time to fertilize with nitrogen. Prune citrus after they leaf out with new spring growth.

Landscape Plants

- Protect your plants against frost if the temperature is expected to drop down to the 20's for more than 60 minutes.
- Water at least twice a month in the absence of rain, but never during the night.
- Weed now before they take hold or go to seed.
- Prune frost sensitive plants after they begin to sprout new spring growth.