“In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” Rainer Maria Rilke (Poet)
Despite the frigid temps of the recent weeks, there’s something uniquely heartwarming about this time of year, which often brings out the best in us. I think that this is especially for gardeners. Despite the chilly weather and bleak landscapes, we somehow instinctively sense that spring is just around the corner. The gray skies and cold winds may remind us of the Grinch’s heart, but the promise of blooming perennials and vibrant annuals brightens our outlook, much like the seed catalogs that filled our mailboxes over the past months.
This time of the year encourages reflection and planning. What worked last year and what didn’t? As John Burroughs noted, “The winter landscape is dominated by a simplicity that leaves everything in sharp relief. Nature strips itself to the bone so we can see the essence.” Review your garden diary from last year and compare it to your memory – that diary is your best gardening companion. If you haven’t started one yet, there’s no better time than now to begin. Just do it!
Take a look at the longer-range southeastern weather outlook from Pam Knox at UGA Extension. February’s forecast suggests a warmer and drier period through the end of March, but remember forecasts longer than 3-5 days into the future are not totally reliable. https://site.extension.uga.edu/climate/
As usual, here are a few tips on things to focus on this month for gardeners in Zone 8a:
Pruning: February is ideal for pruning deciduous trees and shrubs, but be cautious with azaleas, hydrangeas, and other flowering plants. This link provides a great guide on what to prune now and what to leave until after spring blooms. Pruning plants that flower on “old wood” now will mean no blooms come spring. More information can be found here.
Tree planting: Following the recent hurricane, many of our beautiful trees were tragically lost. Now is the perfect time to plant new ones. As the saying goes, “Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit.” February is also ideal for planting bare-root fruit trees, roses, and other dormant shrubs. Learn how here:
Garden cleanup: If you haven’t done so already, clear out old plant debris, weeds, and mulch from your beds. Add compost or organic matter to enrich the soil for spring planting. And don’t forget to get that soil test! Soil amendments need time to take effect. Read more here.
Starting seeds indoors: Now is the perfect time to start cool-season crops indoors, such as broccoli, lettuce and kale. These can be transplanted outdoors in late winter or early spring. I personally enjoy starting spring annuals from seed – not only does it save money, but it’s a rewarding process. This link has an in-depth review of seed starting.
And here’s a short list of popular spring annuals and the number of weeks needed to reach transplant size from seeding:
Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana): 10-12 weeks
Petunias (Petunia x hybrida): 10-12 weeks
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus): 8-10 weeks
Marigolds (Tagetes): 6-8 weeks
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus): 8-12 weeks
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima): 6-8 weeks
Geraniums (Pelargonium): 12-16 weeks
Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana): 8-10 weeks
Verbena (Verbena x hybrida): 10-12 weeks
After I finished writing this column, I checked with my favorite Artificial Intelligence engine to see if I had overlooked anything that was really important for February and this is what it told me.
“In USDA zone 8a, the most important thing a home gardener can do in February is start preparing the garden for spring planting. This involves a few key tasks: Soil preparation, prune trees and shrubs and start seeds Indoors. By focusing on soil preparation, pruning, and seed starting, you’ll set yourself up for a productive spring garden.” Is that spooky or what?
Keep the faith! Spring will be here before you know it!
