Landscape Committee
Gardening Tips - February

Water

• It is still very important to water once a month if snow is not present.
• Turf, shrubs, trees and perennials all need water.
• Be sure to disconnect your hose and drain to prevent freeze damage.

Perennials

• Leave mulch in place and don't be fooled into uncovering them early.
• Minor bulbs, like snowdrops and crocus, may begin to bloom.

Vegetables

• Order seeds from your catalogs. Make a copy of your order and let the company know if you will accept substitutions.
• Plan on succession planting, planting one crop right after another.
• Plant radishes in a row that will later be planted with tomatoes.
• Water and ventilate your coldframe as necessary. (Cold frames can be permanent structures or a piece of plastic strung over a wire. The basic principles needed for a successful cold frame are keeping out the wind, frost and letting in the sun. It is good to be able to trap the heat from the sun to help warm the soil and the air.)

Indoors

• Firewood stored inside will occasionally have bark beetles and wood borers emerge. Remove the wood and store outside away from your home.
• Give you interior plants a shower, it keeps the plants dust-free.

Take a Field Trip

• Go to a local arboretum, botanic garden, garden center or nursery. It will lift your spirits.

Feeding Birds

• Birds are very selective in their food choices. Select mixes that are high in sunflowers, niger seed, millet and safflower.
• Locate feeders in a wind protected area.
• Keep the bird bath filled with fresh water, heaters can purchased to prevent freezing.