February In the Garden
Even though we are still amid the depths of winter, the beginning of February always feels to me a little like a breath of fresh (icy) air. The days are getting longer again, and we’re bridging the gap to March—when the first glimmers of spring begin to appear.
Personally, I spent January settling into some new routines, and now I find myself starting to look towards some more familiar ones. Notably, the container garden I always assemble on my small patio balcony. Even now, I’m starting to think of which beautiful annuals I want to pick up once the greenhouse opens again.
On that note, always remember that Floral Acres is open year-round with an amazing collection of tropical plants, including plenty of rare varieties. Our lunar new year collection is on sale, with many plants that can’t be commonly found the rest of the year.
And while you’re here, take a peek at the seasonal decor and Priscilla’s Boutique—featuring lots of great gifts for that special someone in your life.
But for now, February in the garden is a time of preparation. Preparing your space, making plans for the summer ahead, and getting a head start on the plants you’d like to grow from seed.
Especially if you’re limited on space like I am, planning ahead for what you want to plant in this year’s garden can ensure you optimize our limited growing season. This is a great time to check your seeds from last year, order new ones—particularly those uncommon or heirloom varieties that can be hard to find—and begin planting slow growers like onions, leeks, celery, peppers, and hardy greens.
Keep an eye out for a more in depth seed starting guide on our advice page in the coming days!
While you’re at it, check any potatoes, bulbs, or other tubers you may have saved from last year to make sure they’re good for planting this season.
Indoors, this is a great time to inspect your houseplants as they’ll soon begin emerging from their winter dormancy, and new growth will spring forth. Be sure you’re watching for signs of pests or disease, and any plants that have sat root-bound through the winter can move into new pots with fresh soil. (And remember, when sizing up, go for a pot 1-2” wider than the root ball to avoid root rot!)
On mild days when it’s temperate enough to venture outdoors, it’s a season of preparation as well.
To keep your yard and garden in good shape and well-prepared for the spring thaw, break up any ice on the lawn. Re-distribute heavy snow cover, especially in low-lying areas that could pool or flood. And make sure your downspouts are directed away from the yard for when those warm days hit.
Be sure your tools are sharpened, oiled, and shiny clean for the season ahead. Dirty tools can transfer illness and disease between plants, and no one wants that! Give the mower some maintenance, too—it may need an oil change, new spark plugs, or a good cleaning before spring!
It’s too soon for raking, aerating, or fertilizing, so leave those tasks for now—but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared with everything you’ll need.
February and March are a great time of year to begin pruning deciduous trees and shrubs while they’re dormant, including those that bear fruit. This way they’ll be ready to start producing new growth with the arrival of spring.
We’ll likely still have some cold days ahead before the weather breaks. When you have a chance to check on the garden, it’s a great time to top up mulch in your beds, especially where snow and wind have interfered with your careful work in the fall. Ensure your perennial beds, shrubs, and trees—even the evergreens—are well covered to keep the roots protected from our extreme Saskatchewan conditions.
Check young or juvenile trees and shrubs for damage from critters, and trim off any branches that may have broken or snapped off during the winter months. While you’re at it, check the ground beneath your trees. If there’s no snow cover and dry ground around their trunks, your trees and shrubs may be longing for a good drink of water!
If you have raised beds, now is also a great time to begin warming the soil. Cover them with plastic sheeting or a tarp to prepare for planting. Or if you’re the handy type, you might even think about starting to build raised beds for your yard. We’ll be doing a DIY guide on this subject soon, so keep an eye out!
And while you’re at it, don’t forget about the other wildlife that has been surviving the cold. They’ll soon be emerging, especially the pollinators that will begin reviving the outdoor landscape. Top up bird feeders, leave out shallow water sources with stones for bees and butterflies to perch.
If you left some late-season plants in the garden, especially with hollow stems, leave them for a while longer as they could be providing essential habitat to these small friends. Lastly, it can be tempting to remove dandelions and other weeds, but those flowers may be some of the only nutrients bees and butterflies can find in the late winter transition.
If you’re excited to get back to gardening season like I am, hopefully some of these tips will fill the void for the time being. April may seem like a long ways away, but I have a feeling March will be upon us before we know it.
Stay warm, until next time!