TIPS FOR BULBS IN FEBRUARY:

Enjoy the first blooms of Narcissus, mid to late February. 

You can find a fantastic selection of colorful varieties of bulbs in catalogues at this time of the year. 

Get rid of any stored bulbs that are starting to rot. (This can occur if moisture gets into storage area.) 






TIPS FOR FLOWERS:

Half hardy annuals must be planted densely. Raise plenty of plants by sowing seeds in late February or in March. 

Have fun browsing through seed catalogues, then order annual and perennial seeds in time for spring planting. 

When the ground is workable, sow seeds of sweet peas. For a lovely array of spring color, frame sweet peas in snap dragons. 

Start seeds of Ageratum, Asters and Candy Tufts indoors. Sweet Alyssum, Bachelor's Button and Calendula can now be sown outdoors in sunny, open ground. 

Winter flowering Pansies need a bright sunny position to encourage maximum blooms. 

Start cuttings of perpetual-flowering carnation in pots. Do not give them high temperatures. 

Even though the weather is quite wet, shrubs may still need watering if they are protected by overhangs from the rain. Be sure the temperature is well above freezing. 

Start fertilizing Geranium now. Give over wintered plants a feeding with half strength fertilizer and place them in a sunny protected area. (a sun room or porch) 

Remove old, woody canes from Roses that did not produce well last year. Cut healthy, vigorous canes back by a third. 

Fertilize the soil around the base of lilacs, strawberries and primrose in late February. 






TIPS FOR VEGETABLES:

Give your asparagus beds a light covering with rich compost. 

Dig vegetable plots, if not completed. Use well decomposed garden compost. 

Prepare soil for planting potato crops. Plant them in areas that have previously been over grown with perennial weeds. You can reduce chances of reoccurance and help to break up the soil by planting potatoes in rows three feet apart. Remove and burn all existing perennial weeds. 





GENERAL YARD & GARDEN CARE:

Start Hoeing or pulling weeds now to avoid a rush later. While the ground is soggy, pulling weeds is easier. 

Make sure your trees & shrubs have no broken branches after any wind or snow storms. Cut them off as close as possible to main branch. 

Open the ventilators on the lee side of your greenhouse as it begins to warm up outside but avoid creating drafts. 

Create new rock gardens in sunny positions. Not under trees. Shade and leaves falling on the plants in fall will harm them. The stones must slightly tip back to ensure proper drainage. 

If you're cleaning out the garden shed and come across some chemicals that you no longer want; DO NOT pour them down a drain, or toss them in the garbage or they may contaminate the water ! Consult your local authority. 




TIPS FOR FRUIT & BERRIES:

When soil is workable, plant bare-root cane fruits, grapes, currants, fruit trees and strawberries. 

Apply fertilizer between strawberry and raspberry rows. 

Purchase a Victoria plum tree. If you would like a plum tree but only have the room for one this plum tree doesnt require another for pollination. Victoria plum is good for both cooking and eating. 

Spray peach trees and nectarine against peach leaf curl. This disease causes the leaves to thicken and change color to yellowish then crimson. 

Prune fall raspberries now. Cut the canes within a few inches from the ground. Do not prune spring producing fruit, flowers or shrubs 






TIPS FOR LAWNS:

Make sure you protect the young shoots emerging from your lawn in areas where you have daffodils naturalised. 

If you've planted heather as a groundcover, trim them as soon as the flowers begin to fade. 

Lift and clean up the grass growing around stepping stones in your lawn. 


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