Northern California: February Garden To-Do List

As day gradually lengthen and the February sun shines with a little more intensiveness , Northern California flora devotee see encouraging signs of living as their gardens slowly emerge from winter dormancy . bud set out to swell , and the foliage of spring - bloom bulbs already stands tall , prognosticate abundant blooms in the very near hereafter . The weather is still irregular and certainly varies quite a piece from one part of the realm to another , but for many of us , February is the month when we can be after on being outdoors more often , play toward flummox the gardening yr off to a great offset !

In the ornamental garden

crop all inactive summer- and fall - blooming tree and shrub — those that bud and bloom on young wood . fair out crossed subdivision and all in or damaged development , then cut back those late - season flowerers — smoke bush ( Cotinusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) and tree diagram mallow ( Lavatera×clementiicvs . , Zones 5–9 ) for example — by as much as a third , encouraging fecund spring growth and abundant summer and fall color . look to prune spring - blooming trees or shrubs until they have finished anthesis .

Cut back deciduous ornamental grassesto 2 to 4 in from ground stratum , leaving just enough establish growth to shelter sensitive new ontogenesis from an unexpected late winter thrill .

Prune summer- and fall - bloom perennialswhile they have n’t yet started their growth cycle . Cut back to sustain size , ameliorate soma , eliminate pest concealment property , and kick upstairs young growth and generous bloom production during the approaching year . Become familiar with your flowering perennials and their growth habits . Do your enquiry and acquire how and when it ’s right to lop your works for optimal operation . And for winter- and springiness - blooming perennials ? Wait !

Plant cool - time of year annual flowerssuch as bachelor buttons ( Centaurea cyanus , annual ) , marigolds ( Calendula officinalisand cvs . , yearly ) , poppies ( Papaverspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–10 ) , queer ( Viola×wittrockianacvs . , annual ) , violet ( Violaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) , and snapdragons ( Antirrhinum majusand cvs . , Zones 7–10 ) . The resulting blossom show will peak midspring and continue until summer . Plant your spring flower garden in a sunny locating , and amend the soil well . Be prepared to irrigate during any unexpected heat moving ridge or wry piece .

fecundate your ornamental garden . Feed your now expertly pruned shrubs , trees , decorative supergrass , and flowering perennial with a well - balanced fertilizer , using constitutive products wherever possible . Mulch with organic compost for weed suppression , neatness , and a steady nutrient boost while the mulch decomposes .

In the orchard

Fertilize fruit trees . In January , I advised that you prune and spray your deciduous fruit trees , and now it ’s clock time to flow them ! E. B. Stone Organics Citrus and Fruit Tree Food is an excellent fertilizer for both deciduous and evergreen yield trees . Formulated using a portmanteau word of select natural and organic component , it has easy - to - follow instructions and contains all the nutrient needed to boost fresh growth , levelheaded leaf , and bountiful crops for all your yield producer . Mulch your tree after feed using constitutional compost , E. B. Stone Organics Soil Booster , or well - age manure .

feed citrous fruit trees . richly - concede citrus ( Citrusspp . and cvs . , Zones 9–11 ) tree diagram are heavy feeders and require a regular menstruum of food during the turn season . Soil fertility is key , and a regular fertilizing agenda — starting mid - February and using organic , particularly formulated citrus plant food — is essential to ensure on-going wellness and optimum fruit output from your citrus fruit trees . E. B. Stone Organics Citrus and Fruit Tree Food influence as well for your citrus tree tree as it does for your deciduous yield - producers , containing all the essential food needed . Note : If your citrus tree has scandalmongering foliation , check first for immature veining . If the veins are pure yellow , correct the job with an program of N ( E. B. Stone ’s Fish Emulsion with Kelp is great ) . If you see green veining , your citrus fruit tree diagram take iron . That ’s well remedied with the addition of chelated iron or FST .

Spray peach and nectarine tree diagram . Spray your peaches and nectarines ( Prunusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–8 ) with a antimycotic agent to prevent peach leaf curl .

In the vineyard

Prune your grapevines . Grapevines ( Vitisspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) must be cut back every class to ensure grape output . New fruits form only on buds that arise from the previous season ’s growth , so whether you grow your grapevines along a fence line , trained on a stake , or up and over a sturdy arbor , keep that in judgment at pruning meter . There are a number of pruning methods recommended for grape . Research online , or check with your local cooperative extension or nearby nursery for which pruning method best befit your grapeshot variety , your particular growing method , and your horticulture style .

Spray to prevent disease . If your vine are suffering from powdery mould , spray immediately after pruning using a sulfur - establish spray . Some grape change ( Concord , for example ) can be adversely affect by atomic number 16 , however , so know your variety and check its tolerance .

In the edible garden

implant bare - root asparagus , Berry , Armoracia rusticana , and rhubarb out now . Though each has slightly unlike grunge and blank space requirements and growth habit , they ’re all perennial , retentive - term nutrient producers and have a few all important motive in common . All do advantageously planted in full sun in rich , well - draining soil . Choose your planting positioning consequently , and amend the soil with well - aged manure or compost , tot up a handful of E. B. Stone Organics Sure Start at planting time for an extra boost of nutrient .

Direct - sow coolheaded - weather veggies . Keep an heart on the prognosis , but for many of us in the more coastal parts of NorCal , former February can be mild , with frequent gay days warm the melody and the soil during these last few calendar week of wintertime . If the atmospheric condition is well-disposed , you’re able to direct - sow cool - weather condition vegetables such as fava bean , radish , beets , carrots , mache , arugula , peas , and cold - dauntless lettuces . Sturdy , cold - hardy starts , include Swiss spinach beet , broccoli , kail , and spinach , can be transplanted out now too . Later in the month and indoors , begin seed summer favorites such as tomatoes , peppers , and eggplant .

Keep on top of maintenance

go along to monitor for bullet and snail . These despicable pestis flourish in mild , damp weather , and February is their preferred calendar month . Tell - tale evidence such as silvery trail or chewed - up foliation in your veggie or ornamental bed let you know you ’ve let a trouble . Handpick and dispose of them if potential ( my ducks love to snack on them ) , or disperse pet - secure bait . Sluggo is an excellent product and is safe to practice around every creature except snails and slug .

remain on top of weeds . The same rains and milder temperature loved by slugs and snails also encourages seed sprouting , whether they ’re the seeds of deliberately sown vegetables or flowers , native wildflowers , or not - so - welcome pestering widow’s weeds . as luck would have it , February grunge is diffuse , and weed seedlings are still shallow - rooted and easily removed . Stay on top of your weed chores for an easier springtime in the garden .

Protect your frost - tender plants . February nights can still storm us , so keep that frost cloth or anti - transpirant spray ready to hand for a little while longer in casing temperature dip below freezing and your succulent , citrus fruit , or other frail flora need protection .

— Fionuala Campion is the owner and director of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma , California .

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