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.
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There's a lot that follows...sorry! I bought a ...
By: Grapevine care | 28-09-2008
There's a lot that follows...sorry! I bought a potted Thompson seedless grape vine. I am trying to figure out a few things that the tag doesn't provide, but first let me tell you about it. I have it on my balcony, which gets full sunlight the better part of the day. Some vines are growing (lengthwise) like gangbusters; others are filling out, but not growing lengthwise. As for climate, I live in Los Angeles. I would like to know what I need to do to get it to bear fruit, and when should expect fruit? If I want it to bear fruit, is it best to use an organic fertilizer? Should I expect the vines to die at some point during the year? If so, do I need to do something when it's time for regrowth or will it begin automatically? It has gotten much bigger since purchasing. Should I re-pot it in a larger pot now? I live in an apartment, so for now, I cannot plant it in the ground. The leaves near to the main vine are the ones starting to get brown spots, turn yellow, and pull off easily. Is this normal? Does it have to do with it's life cycle? Lastly, there are these moth-like insects (gray with red spots on wings, not very big) that seem to love my grapevine, but don't SEEM to be doing any damage. Are they damaging? I know I have a ton of questions, but this is my first attempt at cultivating any large fruit bearing plant. Thank you very much for your help. Amy
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By: judith | 28-09-2008
what if I forget salt making challah
New at strawberry growing...what does it mean to ...
By: jan | 26-09-2008
new at strawberry growing...what does it mean to "thin the crown" and right now, (end of sept.) is there anything i should do to prepare the plants for winter/next spring?
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By: JAME' | 25-09-2008
We bought some mennonite striped tomatoe plants in the spring. While we have loads of green ones, we are not sure what color they are suppose to be. There was no sticker with any information in the pony pack. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you !
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By: West Desert Randy | 23-09-2008
I live in a high-desert community with early frosts. I cannot keep covering my cantaloupe. They aren't ready yet, but some are close. Can I pick them and let them ripen on my counter top, or are they simply lost?
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