Yes it’s cold, yes the snow is blowing and the ground is frozen, BUT we are approaching mid-winter and if you’re like me you can’t wait for spring! I know it’s hard to get excited as most of us look outside at the primarily white and brown landscape, but the future is bright with buds, spring flowering bulbs, and chirping birds!
So as excited as I am, I thought I’d put together a quick post on what I’m doing to prepare for spring during the mid-winter month of February.
Seeds
While it’s a little early to start most seeds indoors, you should be preparing to start them soon. I’m purchasing seed flats, containers, and seed starting mix. If you haven’t finished up your seed order you should be soon. If you use cold frames you should check for any damage, and repair them right away. Keep in mind it’s a perfect time to winter sow any seeds that you’re able to, and if you’re growing begonias or petunias get them going now! Also, if you’re growing vegetables such as onions or leeks get these going as well.
Bulbs
If you used our Tips on Forcing Spring Bulbs you should be checking them daily now. Be sure to keep the soil barely moist, we recommend watering with Annie Haven’s MooPooTea (http://www.manuretea.com/) at least once a week. Be sure to introduce warmth and sunshine gradually, and turn the container for even growth. If you didn’t force any bulbs, force some spring flowering trees or bushes such as forsythia, dogwood, or crabapple. Simply make a fresh cut on a branch, place them in water, and watch them go.
Your Landscape
Be careful of your lawn as walking on it now could cause some damage, but you should be out checking on your landscape. Check your perennials, hopefully you put some mulch around any tender perennials, and if you didn’t you might just want to throw some on now to see if you can reduce damage. Check your shrubs and trees, if possible shake any snow from them and see what kind of animal damage has occurred. If animal damage is apparent, take steps to reduce further damage.
Don’t Forget the Birds
January & February are two of the coldest months of the year, so our feathered friends really need our help. Make sure to put out as much seed, meal worms, suet, etc… as you can. If you’re like me and the “rodents” like to get at the seed, there are plenty of ways online or at your local “garden” store to keep them at bay. It’s also a perfect time to start attracting birds to your landscape with birdhouses. You can buy birdhouses pre-made or make them yourself, just be sure to follow some plans especially if you’re trying to attract a certain species of bird.
The Tedious
And finally, here are a few of the more tedious things to do in February. Clean your tools if you haven’t done so already. Clean your containers, and dispose of those that didn’t make it in the first half. Check to see if your garden hose has cracked and/or frozen, and if it has obviously go get you’re the Perfect Garden Hose, and if you would like to repair your garden hose check you tube for some very helpful “how-to” videos.
So there’s a little bit of what I’m doing at the mid-winter point. We’d love to hear some comments from you on what you’re doing, be sure to comment below.
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