February Weather Statistics
Average
daily high: 52 degrees
Average daily low: 30 degrees
Average rainfall: 3.61 inches
• February is for fruit. Plant fruit trees, grape vines and
berry bushes now. Prune fruit trees to enhance fruit
production and improve framework. Open up the inside to let
in the light. Prune grape vines this month, too. Call the
Cooperative Extension Service for more information about
proper pruning techniques.
• When spring bulbs begin to show green sprouts, apply a
balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer. This boost will help the
bulbs store more energy for next year’s floral display.
• There’s no need to fertilize trees and shrubs if the
foliage is looks healthy and the plants are growing at an
acceptable rate. If you’re in a hurry, or you just like to
get your exercise by pruning, this is a good time of year
to fertilize. Spread the fertilizer over the entire root
zone, which normally extends well beyond the spread of the
branches. Don’t fertilize plants that are under stress from
drought or disease.
• On a mild day (over 50 degrees) spray wild onion, wild
garlic, and winter annual weeds in the lawn with a
broadleaf herbicide. When spraying wild onion and garlic,
add a spreader-sticker to the mix to make the product,
well, spread and stick. Remember to always read and follow
the label directions.
• While broadleaf herbicides won’t harm established lawn
grasses, keep in mind that flowers and vegetables are
broadleaf plants and therefore are susceptible to this type
of herbicide. Hand pulling is the best solution for winter
annual weeds in the garden.
• In the vegetable garden, plant potatoes, broccoli and
onion sets and sow seeds of carrots, cabbage, onions, peas,
radishes, rutabagas, spinach and turnips. Set out male
hybrid asparagus crowns such as Jersey Giant or Jersey Gem.
• You may divide perennials now if you didn’t get it done
last fall. Daylilies, Siberian iris, peonies, hosta, Shasta
daisy and Lenten rose are a few candidates to divide and
replant.
• Repot houseplants that have outgrown their containers.
When repotting cactus, grasp spiny plants with kitchen
tongs or wrap a folded newspaper around it, taking care not
to crush the spines.
• Trim back ornamental grasses this month, before new
growth begins. Pampas and other grasses will have a fresher
look this spring and summer if old foliage is cut to the
ground now. Give your liriope the same treatment as the
grasses.
• Apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer to fescue lawns
by the end of the month. If you’re applying crabgrass
preventer to a fall-seeded lawn, check the label for
precautionary statements.
• Prune all fruit-bearing trees to enhance fruit
production, remove unwanted growth, and improve framework.
• Apply a slow release nitrogen fertilizer to fescue lawns
before the end of the month.
• Fertilize trees and shrubs in February or March,
spreading fertilizer over the entire root zone that
normally extends 2 to 3 times the spread of the branches.
• Use a crabgrass preventative with your fertilizer if
needed and check label for safety for fall seeded fescue.
• Hand weed winter annual weeds from in flower beds before
they bloom and apply fresh mulch.
• Spray wild onion, wild garlic and winter annual weeds in
lawns with a broadleaf herbicide and surfactant to enhance
control.
• Plant male hybrid asparagus crowns such as Jersey Giant
and Jersey Gem.
• Plant potatoes, broccoli, and onion sets as well as seeds
for carrots, cabbage, peas, radishes, rutabagas, spinach
and turnips.
• Fertilize spring bulbs with balanced fertilizer
(10-10-10) when shoots emerge.
• Divide daylillies, iris, peonies, hosta, daisy and lenten
rose.
