February in the Garden

February may well be the toughest gardening month. But that doesn't stop the true gardener from working on his garden. February is a time for planning and for seeing the first signs that spring is around the corner. It is especially a time for pruning. So take advantage of those rare sunny days and get back in your garden.

Here are some regional tips for gardening in February. However since February weather is so unpredictable, you'll have to use some judgement.

Warmer Regions
(Zone 7 and higher)

• Watch out for cold snaps and be ready to protect tender plants


• Start to rejuvenate annual flower beds


• Keep watering, unless there are restrictions


• Propagate some new plants from cuttings


• Continue planting cool season vegetables like: broccoli, cabbage, kale, lettuce, onions


• Harvest winter crops before they bolt


• Plant out cold hard annuals like: pansies and Icelandic poppies


• Start seeds of warm season vegetables and flowers


• Begin dividing perennials


• Plant fruit trees and bareroot roses


• Finish pruning roses and fruit trees


• Use dormant spray on roses and fruit trees and shrubs


• Plant regional bulbs like: amayllis, crinums and calla lilies


• Pot up saved tubers and corms like: begonias and cannas

Colder Regions
(Zone 7 and lower)

• Prune trees and shrubs, both ornamentals and fruit


• Replace mulch as needed


• Check outside plants and trees for animal damage


• Cut some branches for forcing indoors


• Rejuvenate holly bushes with a hard pruning


• Check evergreens for sign of desication


• Start seeds of cool season vegetables and flowers