February Garden Tips
- The big storms at the end of January have left the reservoirs replenished and the gardens soggy – avoid stepping into or walking in your beds until the ground dries out! Last year at this time we were dealing with prolonged sub-freezing temperatures and no rain – this year is better for most gardeners.
- The wet weather can (and has!) continue through April, so don’t let any early heat spells lure you into thinking that spring is here. February is too early to plant hot weather annuals and vegetables in Sonoma County, no matter what the thermometer says! The last frost date in the County is April 15.
- Finish pruning your roses – the rule of thumb here in Sonoma County is to have them pruned by Valentine’s Day.
- Prune any remaining fruit trees and spray dormant oils as necessary.
- Finish pruning summer-flowering or foliage trees as necessary – deciduous trees are much easier to prune when leafless, as you can see the branch structure much more clearly. Cut out all crossed branches and prune for shape.
- Plant bare root trees and shrubs (see accompanying article).
- Fertilize citrus
- Plant some winter-blooming color such as Cyclamen. You can plant right into the garden or into pots.
- Pull weeds while the ground is soft. Poa annua, the annoying annual Bluegrass, hasn’t gone to seed yet and you will make next year’s gardening easier if you get it out before it does.
- You’ll start to see snails making their presence known, either directly or by the holes that they leave in the leaves. Hand pick when you can – really dedicated types go out after dark armed with a flashlight to catch as many in the act as possible! The more you get before they lay eggs the fewer you’ll have later.
- Clean and sharpen all of your garden tools. Buy a rasp or a stone for your favorite pruners and promise yourself that you will sharpen it regularly. Sharp pruners are easier on both the plants and your joints.
- Enjoy the sunny days between the storms. Right now it is hard to imagine that the ground will ever dry out, but as the days lengthen and the average temperatures warm, the sogginess will dissipate. Then we’ll be nagging you to water again!
© Sonoma County Master Gardeners