What to Do in Your Garden: February

By Tatroe, Marcia

Planting

Flowers Scatter seeds of hardy annuals and biennials just before a snowstorm is forecast. Among those that prefer cool weather for germination are bachelor’s button, California poppy, catchfly (Silene armeriaj. Chinese delphinium, Chinese forget-me-not, flowering flax, horned poppy, Johnny-jump-ups, larkspur, lovein-a- mist, milk thistle (Silybum maricmumj, pot marigold, prickly poppy, rose campion, Rudbeck/ct triloba, scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregataj, snapdragon, sweet alyssum, sweet William, and wallflower.

Fruit trees Plant bare-root fruit trees as soon as the soil has thawed. Good apples for cold climates are ‘Connell Red’, ‘Haralson’, ‘Honeygold’, ‘Keepsake’, ‘Prairie Spy’, ‘Regent’, and ‘Sweet Sixteen’. Other fruit trees to try are ‘Chinese’ and ‘Goldcot’ apricots; ‘Montmorency’ sour cherry; ‘Gold’ sweet cherry; ‘Hardired’ nectarine; ‘Luscious’ pear; ‘Contender’, ‘Cresthaven’, ‘Garnet Beauty’, ‘Harcrest’, ‘Madison’, ‘Redskin’, and ‘Summer Serenade’ peaches; and ‘Pipestone’ and Toka’ plums.

Vegetables As soon as the soil thaws, prepare your vegetable garden for coolseason crops. Till in several inches of compost or manure as well as organic fertilizer to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Rake the area level, breaking up large clods as you go, but leave the surface uneven to trap moisture. Let the bed rest for two to three weeks, then sow seeds of arugula, beets, carrots, lettuce, mesclun mixes, parsnips, radishes, spinach, and Swiss chard. After sowing, keep the soil moist and cover beds with floating row covers to protect developing seedlings from frost and to exclude insect pests.

Winter color Few things dispel winter’s gloom better than crocus, snow iris fin’s dan/ordiae, I. histrioides, and I ret/culataj, and the species tulip Tulipa humilis (also known as T puichella) blooming through snow. Mark areas where you would like these bulbs to bloom in future years (write “yellow crocuses here” on a plant label) so you can plant them there when they become available in bulk later in the year. All appreciate a hot, sunny site.

Maintenance

Cover some perennials Extreme temperature fluctuations in midwinter can damage or kill otherwise hardy perennials, especially those with evergreen leaves or stems. Protect lavender, lavender cotton (Santolina chamaecyparissus), rosemary, sunrose (Helianthemum nummulariumj, and thyme by covering them with evergreen boughs. Leave the boughs in place until May, or throw a frost blanket or sheet over these plants whenever an arctic freeze is forecast; remove the cover between freezes.

Prevent and treat tree suckers Aspen, chokecherry, and sumac have a tendency to produce suckers (stems that arise from the base of trunks). When other trees sucker, it may indicate declining health caused by cultural problems (such as damage to the trunk), disease, or an insect infestation. To prevent damage to the trunk, remove stakes and braces after one year. When planting trees, take off all ropes, wire, and burlap from the rootball to prevent damage to growing roots. For insect or disease problems, call your local county extension office for advice. When suckers appear, cut them off at the base. -MARCIA TATROE

Tip from the test garden

SHARPENING YOUR SHOVELS not only extends their life-it can also make it much easier to dig through roots or in heavy soil.

1. Using a large file, with shovel facing up, rub briskly along the shovel’s bottom edge at a 45 angle, filing from the left side to the tip. Continue until a fine edge develops, then repeat on the right side.

2. If you don’t plan to use the shovel right away, apply a small amount of mineral oil to a clean cloth, then wipe the newly sharpened edge to prevent rust from forming. Wipe off before using.

Copyright Sunset Publishing Corporation Feb 2007

(c) 2007 Sunset. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.