February Garden Checklist β Prepping for Spring Growth
February 2, 2025
February is the bridge between winter and spring, making it a crucial month for preparing garden beds, pruning, and starting seeds. While some regions may still be in a deep freeze, others are beginning to show signs of life.
Soil & Bed Preparation
- Begin hardening off garden beds by removing winter mulch from areas that will be planted soon.
- Top-dress perennials with compost to give them a nutrient boost before spring growth.
- Cover bare soil with a light mulch layer to prevent erosion and early weed growth.
Master Gardener Tip – Test Your Seeds β Before sowing, do a quick germination test to check viability. Place a few seeds on a damp paper towel, keep them warm, and check after a few days. Better to know now than waste valuable garden space on non-viable seeds!
Master Gardener Steve
Early Spring Planting (by Region)
- Mild Climates (Zones 8-10):
- Direct sow hardy crops like carrots, beets, radishes, and leafy greens.
- Plant seed potatoes and onion sets.
- Cool Climates (Zones 6-7):
- Begin sowing cold-hardy vegetables under row covers or low tunnels.
- Start planting bare-root fruit trees and shrubs if the ground is workable.
- Cold Climates (Zones 4-5):
- Start forcing bulbs indoors for early spring blooms.
- Begin indoor seed-starting for hardy vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and onions.
Pruning & Tree Care
- Trim back wisteria and summer-flowering clematis to promote strong blooms.
- Remove water sprouts and suckers from fruit trees and ornamental trees.
- Prune dormant brambles like raspberries and blackberries to shape and encourage new growth.
- Cut back winter-damaged branches from shrubs once extreme cold has passed.
Perennial & Flower Garden Tasks
- Divide crowded perennials like daylilies and hostas before new growth starts.
- Check on overwintering bulbs and remove any that show signs of rot.
- Plant bare-root roses in milder regions.
- Prepare new flower beds by turning over soil and adding organic matter.
Wildlife & Pollinator Support
- Plant early bloomers like crocus and hellebores to provide nectar for emerging pollinators.
- Clean and refill birdbaths as temperatures rise to help birds and beneficial insects.
- Install mason bee houses if you want to attract native pollinators.
Pest & Disease Prevention
- Inspect overwintering plants for signs of pests like aphids or scale insects.
- Apply dormant oil spray to fruit trees and roses to prevent overwintering pests.
- Turn over garden beds where pests may be overwintering in the soil to expose them to predators.
Final Preparations Before Spring
- Check seed-starting progress and transplant seedlings into larger containers if needed.
- Set up trellises and supports for vining crops before they start growing.
- Get your watering system ready by testing hoses, drip irrigation, or rain barrels.
- Make a March planting calendar based on local frost dates and upcoming tasks.
February is all about fine-tuning the garden for a strong start to springβstay ahead of the game, and your garden will thrive in the months ahead! π±
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