I’m Sharon Carrigan, and I am a member of the Lowndes County Master Gardener organization. Notice, I didn’t say I’m a Master Gardener. That’s because, next to others in the organization, I feel very small indeed. But do I love associating with them! I learn something new every time we gather for a project or a meeting or a road trip. I mean, where else can an adult get to play in the dirt without looking foolish and learn new tips or ideas? And playing in the dirt is what I consider gardening. It’s my time to enjoy the birds singing, the breezes blowing or the sweat running down my face and back.
I enjoy helping to create more beauty, or maybe just rearranging the existing beauty to better showcase it. A new Master Gardener training class starts Feb. 28: it’s not too late to register at 662-328-2111. Come join us for laughter and learning. And if you’re itching to soon be out in the garden, these Master Gardener February tips will hopefully help get you going.
Make a plan
Decide on plants you would like to have in your spring garden and flower beds. Consider buying new plants you have not tried before.
Determine how many seed packets you need, remember to order extra seed if you are planning to replant for a second crop of flowers after the heat of the summer.
Check tools for rust. Clean rust from spades and hoes. Prevent rust by coating tool heads with mineral oil or used motor oil.
Planting
Plant cold weather annuals like nasturtiums, pansies, snapdragons, English daisies, Sweet William and calendulas.
Get a jump-start with a cold frame (a four-sided frame of board with a removable glass or plastic top) on broccoli, cauliflower, onion sets, English peas, kale, carrots, collards, beets, radishes, kohlrabi and Chinese cabbage. Plant asparagus in prepared beds.
Start seeds of herbs indoors for transplant outdoors.
February is an ideal time to set out dogwoods. The site should be well drained; plant shallowly. Dogwood prefers acid soil.
Broad-leaved evergreens such as magnolia, holly and photinia can be set out at this time.
Plant new roses, or move old roses soon after mid-February. Fertilize roses with a top-dressing of organic fertilizer under a thick layer of compost or rotted manure.
Fertilize trees and shrubs (not spring flowering shrubs) if not fertilized in January.
Don’t forget
Spray the garden with dormant spray. It will kill many eggs and spores of insects and diseases. Do not apply if temperatures will dip below freezing within four hours of application.
Prune evergreens for size and shape. Cut out dead wood of flowering shrubs. Dispose of clippings to prevent disease or insect spread.
Prune hydrangeas during the last week in the month.
Winter blooming shrubs can be forced to bloom indoors by cutting stems when buds begin to swell and placed in water indoors. Warmer temperatures will stimulate blooming. Place sprays of forsythia, flowering quince, oriental magnolia or fruit trees in a vase in a sunny window.
Lowndes County Master Gardner Sharon Carrigan
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 38 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.