Spring is in the air, but the calendar reminds us we are still in the middle of winter. I’m sure the folks back east probably don’t need any reminders. But, in California and many parts of the country, February is the month where we can start planting in the garden and/or start seeds in cold frames, indoors, or in greenhouses for later planting. Hope you are excited for the upcoming growing season!! Happy gardening!!
DIRECT SOW SEEDS IN GARDEN
V: beets broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, collards, cucumber, eggplant, endive, garlic, greens, kale, leek, lettuce (mesculins), mustard, onion, peas, pepper, potato, radishes, shallot, sorrel, spinach, summer squash, sweet corn, sweet peas, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip. Plant a late cover crop of vetch, bell bean, fava bean-wait until cold mountain soil warms up before direct sowing.
START IN FLATS
V: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, kale, lettuce, onion, pepper, radicchio, tomato, (use bottom heat to speed germination) P: rose campion, salvias, yarrow
PLANT STARTS
V: beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, garlic, green onions, kohlrabi, onions, peas, spinach, Swiss chard
A: calendula, candytuft, cineraria, primroses, Iceland poppy
P: alstromeria, artichokes, asparagus, bergenia, boysenberry, campanula, columbine, coralbells, foxglove, honeysuckle, jasmine, loganberry, olallieberry, passionflower, rhubarb, roses, strawberries B: tuberous begonias, cannas, dahlias, gladiolus and tuberoses
T: apple, cherry, nectarine, plum, flowering cherries
HARVEST
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celeriac, chard, fennel, leek, lemon, parsnips, turnips
FERTILIZE N-P-K and Beyond
Feed fall planted annuals and perennials. Fertilize lawn late in the month with compost or organic based nutrients.
PRUNE
Prune fuchsia and cut back woody stems to main branch, hibiscus, lantana, roses, wisteria, tender perennials and hardier shrubs. Cut artemisia, butterfly bush and Mexican bush sage and most salvias to the ground if you haven’t yet. Prune grapevines, deciduous fruit trees and ornamental trees.
PESTS
Trap snails and slugs. Apply organic natural dormant oil spray on deciduous fruit trees to control aphids, caterpillars, mite eggs, and some scale.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Repot houseplants and cymbidiums. Most citrus is at its peak, enjoy! Make wreaths out of pruned grapevines. Avoid compacting water saturated soil by staying off of it.