Time for February
I wanted to share what's relevant for February (I wasn't able to get this published last month!) in Melinda Myers' Month-by-Month Gardening in Minnesota. Again, February in Minnesota is generally when we get our coldest weather; for instance, our high today was in single digits Fahrenheit, and the wind chill has been twenty (or so) degrees below zero...and our air-temperature high tomorrow will be negative!
Plus, we had more snow in the past week, so there's nothing being done to the ground right now. My main task is keeping the bird feeders going. So most of what will happen for the garden is planning.
Chapter One: Annuals
As I noted before, I don't put annuals out, except for herbs. Most of this chapter's advice for this month is about ordering seeds and getting your seed-growing indoor set-up all ready.
Chapter Two: Bulbs, Corms, Rhizomes, and Tubers
Again, I don't plant any seasonal bulbs, yet.
Chapter Three: Herbs & Vegetables
Now we're into something of interest in my yard!
Planning
Myers notes that you should finalize your vegetable garden and herb garden plan. Think about what your family will eat, what is used in your favorite recipes, and consider what's the best value. Some vegetables, for instance, taste better when you grow them yourself; others, though, may take a lot of effort, and it would be better to buy it at the local farmer's market.
You also need to think about space needs. A tomato plant produces several tomatoes; a corn plant produces one or two ears. So you may need more space if you want to eat fresh corn all the growing season.
Also think about how much you want to grow for eating fresh, and how much you will preserve, through canning or drying.
Planting
Start onions from seeds indoors.
Care
Harvest any indoor herbs you have, freeze excess in ice cubes. If you have things like carrots stored in the garden itself, wait for a thaw day to dig them out.
Inventory your tools. Do any cleaning necessary, and sharpen the edges of shovels and other such tools.
Watering
This covers specifics of indoor herb gardens and seed flats.
Fertilizing
Make sure any indoor plants aren't having light problems or nutrient problems. Don't use fertilizer on onion seedlings, though.
Problems
There's advice to check for insect and fungus problems.
Grooming
Prune leggy herbs.
Chapter Four: Lawns
This is great time to take your lawn-mower for a tune-up and blade sharpening at the hardware store or garden center.
Chapter Five: Perennials & Ornamental Grasses
Review photos of your garden, and sketch ideas for new plantings. You can grow seedlings at home right now.
Be sure to add winter mulch if needed. You want to be careful about perennials taking a thaw as Spring, and sprouting too early. Extra mulch can help.
Wait for the worst of winter to pass before cleaning the garden. Some plants benefit from the stems standing for a while. (Some beneficial insects hibernate in stems, too!)
Chapter Six: Roses
Finalize your plans for roses in your garden. Attend any local rose society: they often have lots of information on how to grow roses in your area.
Check your garden's roses to make sure all winter protection is still in place.
Chapter Seven: Shrubs
Update your landscape plan for shrubs, and visit any early garden shows. Experts there can give you lots of advice.
Too early to plant, but look for shrubs that might need to be transplanted to somewhere else in your garden. When the soil thaws, they can be moved.
Look for animal damage, and add additional protection as needed.
Prune damaged or hazardous branches as found. You can continue to prune summer- and fall-blooming plants until growth begins in spring.
Chapter Eight: Trees
Research and plan trees for your garden. Winter hikes through botanical gardens can be fun. Consider getting smaller trees; while you have to wait for them to grow to match a tree you buy in a larger size, those larger trees may take a few years to adjust. A tree you start smaller may grow bigger!
Now is a good time to contact nurseries about what stock they have for trees, but planting is still at least a month away.
Shovel snow before using de-icing salts. Consider using plant-friendly options like sand, instead.
Still a good time for pruning trees, though maples may have running sap that makes it a messy job in late winter.
Chapter Nine: Vines & Groundcovers
Buy or build support structures for new plantings. Install them before you dig in new plantings, so that root structures aren't damaged.
Wait until March or April to do routine pruning.
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