Here’s your gardening to-do list for February. Step 1: pruning

Recess is over, it is time for motion

After this previous challenging freeze, I am hoping that the worst is behind us and we can confidently get out into the backyard garden and whip issues again into shape. Even though I realize February is still technically winter, it is also the starting of spring for northwesterners, and there is much to do ahead of the precise spring season arrives. Here are some timely responsibilities to take into account.

PRUNING: February is a vital month for pruning a large amount of issues. We normally prune fruit trees this time of calendar year, generally to regulate the fruit set instead than for their aesthetic features. Preserving limbs spaced for optimum air and light-weight penetration will help immensely in managing disorders, not to point out holding the fruit inside realistic get to for harvesting. Frequently talking, something that blooms in the summer months (relatively than the spring) can be pruned back severely now — like shrubs these kinds of as roses, hardy hibiscus and pee gee hydrangeas. These plants make flowers on the finishes of their new growth, so pruning them now stimulates new progress and encourages additional flowers come summertime. For crops that bloom now and on into spring like rhododendrons, azaleas and forsythia, we prune them soon after they end blooming — the exact is true for winter-blooming heather. By pruning in the spring following they finish their bloom cycle, they have all period to established buds for the next calendar year. It seriously does make feeling when you imagine about it.

PERENNIALS: If you haven’t however cleaned up your perennials, it is time to do so. “Mushers,” like hostas, are uncomplicated given that the outdated progress will just individual from the crown with your hands. “Sticks,” these types of as hardy fuchsias and mums, require pruners to cut the previous stems down, about 50 percent way for now. As soon as you see new advancement in a thirty day period or so you can finish the venture by taking away any lifeless stems. Evergreen perennials, like hellebores and epimedium, that bloom in the winter season require to have their aged foliage removed now to make space for their bouquets. Other evergreen perennials, like heucheras, just need the previous tattered leaves eliminated.

PLANTING: Think it or not, there is rather a good deal that can be planted this time of calendar year, which includes hardy herbs, perennials and, of training course, all types of trees and shrubs. Backyard garden centers are busy stocking up and some items sell out early, so never delay.

WEEDING: A rapid journey with the Hula-Hoe around the backyard can make waste of a whole lot of weeds in no time flat. Immediately after you have cleaned up, unfold some lime and natural fertilizer, and deal with the bare ground with an inch of compost to suppress additional weed seed germination.

Veggies: Root crops, like carrots, beets, onions and potatoes, can be planted now. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and peas can also go in the floor this thirty day period. Prior to you plant, usually include some natural fertilizer, lime and compost to the soil to get the finest effects from your growing initiatives.

Choose A Neighborhood GARDENING Class: Tons of yard facilities offer totally free gardening classes 12 months ‘round. Examine out their websites to see what they are presenting. Right here at Sunnyside, we have scheduled more than 50 lessons this 12 months, so there is bound to be a little something of curiosity.

GO TO THE FLOWER AND Backyard garden Exhibit: Not to be skipped, this is the leading backyard display in the state and is a excellent way to get enthusiastic about the upcoming period. It runs Feb. 15-19 at the Washington State Conference Middle in Seattle.

Alright, now that you have your assignment, I anticipate to see loads of progress this month. Hop to it and content gardening!

Steve Smith represents Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be arrived at at [email protected].

Totally free lessons

The up coming free of charge classes at Sunnyside Nursery will be “Fresh Yard Berries” at 10 a.m. Feb. 11 and “For The Appreciate Of Roses” at 10 a.m. Feb. 12. For a lot more information, go to www.sunnysidenursery.internet/courses.