February in my Garden

Looking outside, it appears ludicrous to even talk of gardening. Maybe someone somewhere in the world is digging in the soil but here we are covered with six inches of snow and a layer of ice.But, despite the outside temperature, we are one month closer to spring.

Some garden projects for this month...

1. Place a seed order, if not done in January.

My seeds have all arrived except for one pack that was back ordered. If you haven't ordered seeds, it isn't too late, but it shouldn't be put off too much longer. This is the busy time for seed companies, so the longer you wait, the longer your wait can be.

2. Check old seeds for germination.

A great project for children! If you have some old seeds from past years that you are unsure if they will grow, do a germination check. Most seeds if kept cool and dry will be great the following year. To make sure you don't need to replace your seeds, count out ten seeds. Place the seeds between two wet paper towels and place in a plastic bag. Place in a warm place, such as the top of the refrigerator, and check in a week. Count the sprouted seeds to figure out the germination rate. For example, if seven of the seeds have germinated, you have a 70% germination rate. You can then decide if you need to buy new seeds or just plant the seeds a little closer together.

3. Prune trees, shrubbery, grapes, and other woody plants.

Pruning is best done in late winter before the sap is running in the branches. It is also much easier to see what you are doing before the branches are leafed out.

There is a right and wrong way to prune, and I really haven't figured it out, especially for grapes! Some warm day this month, I will pull out my gardening books and check out a few on-line sites before jumping into grape pruning. Last year we had almost no grapes. I thought it was my bad pruning until I talked to many other grape growers in my area who also had a poor crop this year.

Do not prune any of your spring blooming shrubs or you will lose your blooms this year. Shrubs, such as lilacs, should be pruned immediately after they finish blooming. Fruiting plants, such as grapes, apples, and peaches are pruned in the spring so that more strength goes into fruit production. For other plants, such as clematis, the proper pruning time can vary by type, as some are pruned in spring and others in fall. It depends whether they bloom from old or new wood. Check your plant tags, a dependable gardening book or experienced gardener for help with your particular plants.

4. Start early vegetable seeds indoors.

Early flowers and vegetables such as pansies, snapdragons, broccoli, cabbage and lettuce, can be started in February indoors. I wouldn't start other flowers and vegetables such as tomatoes until March. I don't like to have large plants that are getting lanky waiting for the weather to warm outside. But I don't have a ton of experience of indoor seed starting. Maybe you ladies with greenhouse have more that you can share with us! Really fast growing plants like vine crops, basil, cosmos and zinnias, should be started in April or just sown directly in the ground. This year I'm planning to try starting my own onions from seed, which is a new one for me.


5. Work up the garden soil, as soon as it dries.

Some times this is in February for us, other years much later! Most of us are rather impatient to get those first peas and onions in the ground! But tilling up wet ground will only cause more problems, so don't rush it!

6. Force some flowering branches.

Here is a project for those of us who wish to bring some signs of spring to our homes. I usually forget to do this at the right time. Cut some branches of a spring flowering tree or shrub. Options include spirea, forsythia, plum, cherry, apple, and quince. Cut a two inch slit up the bottom of the stem and place in warm water. Change the water every week and wait for blossoms!

What are your plans for your garden this month?