Things to do in February

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Fertilize:
Feed winter bloomers such as alyssum, dianthus and especially pansies. Fertilize maidenhair fern with bone meal.

Water:
Water everything well before a freeze, but avoid overwatering.

Transplant:
Plant bare root and container grown roses, shrubs, trees, groundcovers and vines. Move hardy seedlings outdoors. Divide and transplant perennial herbs and summer and fall blooming perennial flowers. Donate extras to a plant sale.

Prepare Soil:
Add compost and/or fertilizer. Till deeply. Send in soil samples (forms available at the Extension Office). Check winter mulch and replenish if needed. Stockpile leaves for mulch and composting throughout spring and summer.

Lawn Care:
If lawn has a history of brown patch problems, treat with a labeled fungicide late in the month. Repeat treatment in 3 to 4 weeks, if needed.

Diseases/Pests to look for:
Apply pre-emergent weed killer to lawn. Spray fruit trees with dormant oil just prior to bud break. Call Extension Office at (512) 854-9600 for fruit and nut tree spray schedules, if not done in January.

Flower Plants:

  • African Daisy (Arctotis)
  • Alyssum
  • Summer Forget-Me-Not (Anchusa)
  • Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)
  • English Daisy (Bellis)
  • Balloon Flower
  • Butterfly Weed
  • Calendula
  • Candytuft
  • Coneflower
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Cornflower
  • Delphinium
  • Dianthus
  • Daisy (African, Michaelmas and Painted)
  • Feverfew
  • Gaillardia
  • Larkspur
  • Liatris
  • Edging Lobelia
  • Cardinal Flower (Lobelia)
  • Monkey Flower (Mimulus)
  • Nasturtium
  • Penstemon
  • Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
  • Pansy
  • Phlox (drummondii and paniculata)
  • Stock
  • Johnny-Jump-Up
  • Pansy (Viola)

Flower Seeds:

  • Alyssum
  • Calendula
  • Candytuft
  • Cosmos
  • Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana)
  • Four o’ clock
  • Gayfeather
  • Larkspur
  • Linaria
  • Marigold
  • Monkey Flower
  • Nasturtium
  • Penstemon
  • Petunia
  • Phlox (drummondii)
  • Salvia
  • Stock (Dwarf)
  • Verbena
  • Sweet Pea
  • Sweet William (Dianthus)

Bulbs:

  • Agapanthus
  • Amaryllis (in containers)
  • Allium
  • Alstroemeria
  • Amarcrinum
  • Calla
  • Canna
  • Crinum
  • Dahlia
  • Daylily
  • Gladiolus
  • Spider Lily (Hymerocallis)
  • Liriope
  • Monkey Grass
  • Mondo Grass
  • Rainlily
  • Society Garlic
  • Tigridia, Tulip

Vegetables:

  • Early—Mid Month: asparagus crowns, Broccoli plants, Cabbage plants, Cauliflower plants, Carrots, Chard, Onion bulbs, English and edible pod peas, Potato (Irish), Spinach.
  • Mid—Late Month: Mustard.
  • All Month: Beets, Collards, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Radish, Turnip.

Herbs:

  • Dill
  • Fennel
  • Garlic chives
  • Horseradish
  • Lemon Balm
  • Mint
  • Parsley
  • Rosemary
  • Summer Savory

Fruit:

  • Bare root or container grown Pecans
  • Fruit trees
  • Grapes
  • Berry bushes

 

Courtesy of the Garden Guide for Austin & Vicinity, published by the Travis County Master Gardener Association, copyright 2000-2002.

Additional February Tips

To do for February 9th, 2013
To do for February 25th, 2012
To do for February 18th, 2012
To do for February 11th, 2012
To do for February 4th, 2012
To do for February 26th, 2011
To do for February 19th, 2011
To do for February 12th, 2011
To do for February 5th, 2011
To do for February 27th, 2010
To do for February 20th, 2010
To do for February 13th, 2010
To do for February 6th, 2010
To do for February 28th, 2009
To do for February 21st, 2009
To do for February 14th, 2009
To do for February 7th, 2009
To do for February 23rd, 2008
To do for February 16th, 2008
To do for February 9th, 2008