Gardening Chores to Take Care of in February
Although the chill of February makes it easy to kick up your feet and get cozy by the fire, there are a few tasks that are vital to the success of your garden if you want it to thrive this year. Yes, it's cold outside—but if you do some prep work, you'll be rewarded with healthy plants in the spring. Here are a few things to keep on top of this month so that when the weather warms up again, your garden will be ready for new growth!
Plan your garden for the year.
Planning your garden for the year is one of the best things you can do to make sure you're growing the right things in it, and getting the most out of your time and money. Start by making a list of what you'd like to grow this year. This might include vegetables, fruits and herbs that are easy to grow in your climate (you can find lists online) or just whatever sounds good!
Then, decide where each plant will go--you may want some parts of your yard dedicated just for certain types of plants (e.g., tomatoes). The best way is probably just drawing up a rough sketch so you know where everything goes before actually putting anything down on paper or buying seeds/seedlings/plants from nurseries, etc.
Prune trees and shrubs.
It’s important to prune trees and shrubs in the winter when plants are dormant, which means they're not actively growing and can't bleed out sap like they do during warmer months. Trim back branches that are dead or diseased, as well as those that are rubbing against each other or growing into other branches (this could cause them to die).
If you want your plants to stay at a particular size, remove any excess growth by cutting it off at ground level. You can also use this time of year for major shaping--like reducing a large tree's height--by removing some of its branches altogether; just keep in mind that you won't notice results until spring arrives!
Trim away any dead wood from around the base of your outdoor trees so they'll have better access to sunlight and air circulation while they're dormant; this will help them stay healthy through springtime growth spurts later on down south when everything starts getting warm again.
Check your stored bulbs.
Check that your stored bulbs are still firm and healthy, with no soft spots or blackened areas. If you are concerned about the health of any bulbs, discard them and start again next year. Ensure that the storage area is cool (ideally between 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit) and dry (humidity levels below 60%). Make sure there are no windows or vents nearby that could let in sunlight as this can cause damage to your plants' leaves while they're dormant in wintertime; also try not to store them near sources of heat like furnaces or heating vents if possible because this will speed up their growth process too much when spring comes around again!
Finally, check for pests like mice who might have gotten into your pantry during those long months without anyone checking on them--you don't want them eating all of those hard-earned vegetables before they get planted outside again!
Topdress containers.
Topdressing is the process of adding soil to an existing container.It's a great way to revitalize your plants by providing them with nutrients, water and oxygen. You can do this on your own by mixing compost into the top layer of potting soil in your containers or pots; this will help keep both your plants and their environment healthy and thriving!
Don't let February be a wasted month in the garden!
February is a great month to get your garden ready for the year. It's the perfect time to plan your garden, prune trees and shrubs, cut perennials back, check stored bulbs and more! You can get started with these gardening chores, or just relax and enjoy being out in nature!