February brings uncertain weather and test a gardener ’s forbearance . It can feel like the Longest . Month . Ever . But remain strong . The change in the length of days will get down to be noticeable — to you and to your plant . Take vantage of the thaws , and when the weather turns Arctic again , attend to your indoor garden .
Prune trees and shrubs . The next - best time to trim most Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrub species is while they ’re sleeping . ( Exceptions : Wait to rationalise early spring - flowering trees and shrubs until right after they bloom , and maples ( Acerspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) after full foliage - out . ) take sucker and dead and diseased limb , and prune for conformation and flow of air . bring through stalwart branchlet and lean offset to use as airscrew or pea stake for top - laborious plants like peonies ( Paeoniaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) , dahlias ( Dahlia spp . and cvs . , Zones 7–10 ) , and cosmos ( Cosmosspp . and cvs . , Zones 9–11 ) .
Force branch into unfolding . If you require to prune spring - flowering bush and trees for shape — and even if you don’t — bring some leg deep down to force into early bloom . Before arrange in vases , give your stems a refreshed excision plus a upright slice up the center of the prow to expose more pith to urine . Place stems in warm body of water , and modify the water day by day to speed blossoming . Stems may take a calendar week to a month or more before blooming bet on the metal money and the length of time before rude blossoming . The best branches to thrust include those of forsythia ( Forsythiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–8 ) , wintertime Australian honeysuckle ( Lonicera fragrantissima , Zones 4–8 ) , flower quince ( Chaenomelesspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) , flower dogwood ( Cornus florida , Zones 5–9 ) , magnolia ( Magnoliaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) , and fruit trees .
yield attending to houseplant . It does n’t take much of a modification in the sun ’s angle for houseplant to get grow . remain a step in front . Prune overgrowth , move out dead leaves , and treat infestation by hosing insect down the drain or spraying with a soft liquid ecstasy solution or horticultural oil . ( Always do a test first to check for foliar sensitiveness . ) They will need watering more frequently now too . transplanting ascendent - hold industrial plant into larger containers with fresh potting soil . Always dampen potting grease prior to potting .
coordinate your seed storage . It ’s too early to start up seeds ( except for sweet pea ( Lathyrus odoratus , Zones 2–11 ) , Cynara cardunculus ( Cynara cardunculus , Zones 7–9 ) , and artichoke and others that need surplus time and cool temperatures ) . or else , channelize that DOE into organization . make a spreadsheet with aim seed dates , or simply group seed package together with rubber band based on sowing time . Go through your saved seminal fluid . Keep what you desire , and give the rest off .
If only Groundhog ’s Day were n’t espouse by six more weeks of winter ! But it ’s easy to see the luminance at the end of the tunnel when we take advantage of the good days outside and inwardly to train for spring .
— Kristin Green is source ofPlantiful : Start pocket-sized , Grow Big With 150 works That Spread , Self - Sow , and Overwinter . She gardens in Bristol , Rhode Island .
hunky-dory Gardening recommend Products
Black & Decker 40 - Volt Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Fine horticulture experience a mission for items buy through tie on this situation , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs .
TCBWFY 3x24 Inch Auger Drill Bit for Planting
Long Handle EZ - Digger
Get our late crown , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .
sign you up …
Related Articles
Southeast: February Garden To-Do List
South: February Garden To-Do List
Southwest: February Garden To-Do List
Mountain West February Garden To-Do List
fall in hunky-dory horticulture for a free hire alive webinar sport Dr. Janna Beckerman , a celebrated works pathologist as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals proficient coach …
When I distinguish a particular gumption dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delicious color pattern …
When we only prioritise plant we want over plants our landscape painting pauperism , each time of year is filled with a never - ending list of task : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access members get more
signal up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the rest of the member - only capacity library .
initiate Free Trial
Get arrant situation access code to expert advice , regional subject , and more , plus the print magazine .
Start your detached visitation
Already a member?sign in
Photo: Diana Koehm
Disassembled Felcos, snips, and pruners ready for cleaning and sharpening.Photo: Kristin Green
Prune watershoots from fruiting pear trees (Pyrus‘Bosc’, Zones 5–8) after winter’s coldest weather has passed and before buds break.Photo: Kristin Green
Forcing stems of winter honeysuckle, star magnolia (Magnolia stellata, Zones 4–8), and flowering dogwood.Photo: Kristin Green
Pigeon the cat and some houseplants bask in a February sunbeam.Photo: Kristin Green
A collection of saved seeds organized and ready for sharing.Photo: Kristin Green
