“February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March.” (J. R. Stockton)

In February most gardeners pass the time planning their future gardens and landscape.  Only an ice storm finds them waiting for spring by a fire and sipping coffee.  Gardeners track online sources, read gardening books while  thinking about plant care, plant selection, fertilizing and the next garden task.

Keith Hansen, author and Smith County Extension Agent, Emeritus of the Texas A&M Extension Service, says February is time to prune, plant and protect what you have growing.   Hansen elaborates (at agrilife.com) as follows:

1.  Pruning: 

                * Early in February prune peach and plum trees.  The aim of pruning is for increasing your harvests.  It regulates tree height making for easier picking while opening up the tree’s center for more sunlight.  Pruning stimulates new growth for next year’s crop.

                *  About mid-February prune your roses.

                *  Do not prune your crepe myrtles!       

2.  Planting:

                * Early to mid-February is cool season vegetable crops planting time. Planting cool season crops, like lettuce, spinach, carrots, yields a great harvest before the heat of summer.

                *  Hold off putting in summertime  vegetables. Sneaky late freezes could ruin any summer vegetables you decide to plant.  Wait for the warm days and warmer soils in late March.

                *  Do not work the soggy soils of your beds. Wait for a decrease in rains.  Wait for dry garden soil.

3.  Protecting:

                *  Protect your investments in peach trees by applying fertilizer only after reading the label.  Keith Hansen’s advice is “A suggested rate is 1 pound (2 cups) of ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) or other high-nitrogen lawn fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter for established peach trees applied at and slightly beyond the edge of the tree canopy, never against the trunk.  Do not fertilize pears – the overly vigorous growth can make the trees more susceptible to fireblight.”

                *  Plant colorful, cool weather flowers like pansies then fertilize  every few weeks to encourage strong growth and a long blooming season.

                *  Protect your investment in your lawn by applying pre-emergence herbicide .  Hansen adds, “if you’ve dealt with weeds like crab grass or grass burrs in your lawn” then make this application now.  Treat in February or early March to prevent weed seed germination.   Hansen notes that “a second application may be needed in late May or early June.”

4.  Planning:

For those days in February when you can’t get out, go ahead and grab that cup of coffee.  Then put your feet up and make a plan for your gardens before you head out to local nurseries.   February is a short month.  Use these days for the annual gardening tasks of pruning, planting, protecting and planning.  March is just around the corner.

Smith County Master Gardeners are volunteer educators certified and coordinated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Marybeth McCown

Smith County Master Gardener