February Lawn and Garden Tips

Monthly Tasks| Spring Gardening| Winter Gardening

Spring is on the horizon, and you have probably started to see the greenery of spring bulbs start to peek out. It is time to start preparing your space and tools for the approaching spring.  Here is what you can do this month in your lawn and garden:

Flowers, Trees and Shrubs

  • You can fertilize your shade trees this month.
  • When spring bulbs start to emerge, fertilize them.
  • Fertilize your pansies with a bloom-encouraging fertilizer.
  • If any of your trees or shrubs were damaged in winter storms, prune wayward limbs.
  • Check the pH of your soil.  If it is below 6.0, spread wood ashes around non-acid loving plants in vegetable garden and flowering beds.
  • Spray all your fruit trees with dormant oil.
  • If the ground ever dries out, it is a good time to divide your perennials (daylilies, shasta daisies).
  • Prune roses when you start to see the buds swelling.  

Lawn and Grasses

  • If you haven’t already, you will want to cut back your ornamental grasses this month.  Cut back to about an inch or two high.  
  • Fertilize and apply weed pre-emergent to tall fescue lawns this month.  Be careful not to over-fertilize or you can burn the grass. Or let our lawn maintenance crews take over your complete lawn care and maintenance.
  • Handle winter weeds by applying a post-emergent herbicide.  

Random Reminders

  • Don’t forget to get the groundhog’s opinion of an early or late spring!  Groundhog Day is Feb. 2!
  • Valentine’s Day is February 14!  We think you should skip the cut flowers and buy flowers or houseplants with roots for the one you love.  Give a plant that will keep on giving!
  • If you do buy cut flowers, keep them out of direct sunlight if you want them to last longer.  
  • Don’t forget to fill your bird feeders.  The squirrels will thank you, too! 😉
  • Take the time to inspect your garden tools.  Sharpen shears, lubricate moving parts, replace broken or damaged tools.
  • Break out the power tools.  Check equipment like mowers, saws, and trimmers.  If they need repair, beat the spring rush and get them in the shop early!
  • Sit down with your calendar and make a plan for what you will plant when this year!

The temperatures will start to rise, so that means it is a great time to visit your local Garden Center.  For you, that means us! Bring a picnic and spend some time enjoying our beautiful property, feed the goats and alpaca, and come see our new koi pond!