February Garden Checklist
Annuals: Remove all dead plant portions from the old flowers. Hand dig weeds from the garden. Work in organic matter. Test soil and adjust accordingly. Select plants that grow best in our area. Baby's breath, calendulas, carnations, dianthus, dusty miller, Marguerite daisies, pansies, petunias, snapdragons, and statice can be planted this month.
Bulbs: Prune out declining foliage as needed. Examine bulbs with necks out of the ground that may have been damaged by winter freezing. If aphids are detected, use insecticidal soap to curb populations.
Herbs: Anise, basil, bay laurel, borage, caraway, cardamom,chervil, chives, coriander, dill, fennel, ginger, horehound, lemon balm, lavender, lovage, marjoram, mexican tarragon, mint, nasturtium, parsley, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme and watercress can be planted now.
Lawns: Cut your St. Augustine lawn as needed, but keep the mowing height at 3-4 inches. Semi-dwarf species can be cut 2-3 inches in height. Cutting grass too short encourages insect damage and disease. No fertilizer this month.Apply pre-emergence herbicides to control weeds such as crabgrass and sandspur. These applications should coincide with the blooming of azaleas and dogwoods. Exact timing depends on soil temperature. If weather is normal, apply in mid-February to early March.
Trees and Shrubs: Existing well-established trees and palms do not normally need special watering - the nearby irrigation of lawns, shrubs, and flower beds normally supply adequate moisture. Some exceptions may be dogwoods or red maples. Growing grass under trees is difficult, consider using shade loving plants instead.As winter finishes, some pruning may be required. However, don’t be in a big rush to prune out the dead or declining portions, as some cold may linger until the end of the month or even March. Leaving the dead portions on may provide some protection in case another freeze occurs. Prune ornamental grasses. Remove all brown cut stems to 6-12 inches above ground. Feed! Prune dormant grapes. Fertilize fruit trees, young ornamental trees, and shrubs (except for spring flowering shrubs like azaleas) in mid-February. Use 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 fertilizer for shrubs, 6-6-6 or 8-8-8 fertilizer for fruit trees. Fertilize trees less than 3 years old with 12-4-8 or 16-4-8. Mature trees get enough fertilizer from their roots in the lawn area. Spread the fertilizer under the branches and water into the soil. Finish transplanting by mid-February. Warm weather may make late transplanting unsuccessful because roots are not present to absorb water needed by the top of the plant. Keep transplants well watered.Prune roses if that hasn't been done. Most rose specialists prefer February pruning. Strip leaves from roses if plants are not dormant. Pruning in February delays the first buds but will give healthier, more attractive plants later in the year.
Vegetables: Prepare the spring garden by spading the ground at least two weeks before planting to give grass and weeds time to rot before seeds are planted. This month you can plant beets, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, collards, cauliflower, celery, endive/escarole, lettuce, mustard, bunching onions, parsley, turnips.Before you start your garden, be sure to have the soil tested. The University of Florida will do a full nutrient test for only $7. Come by the office to pick up a soil kit or call us at 904 879-1019 for more information.Put raked leaves and grass clippings in a compost pile. As they rot, they make an excellent organic material to add to the soil when planting vegetables and some ornamental plants.
