Time to Cut Things Back and Push Heaved-Out Plants!

Cut back dead plant material that you had left standing over the winter. Remove the old stalks and leaves so the new growth will have a clear path for growing, blooming and brightening your yard come spring. And while taking care of outdoor chores, look around your yard looking for plants that have been heaved out of the ground by frost. If it is possible, push them back into the soil. If the soil is still frozen and you cannot replant, cover the roots with four or more inches of fresh soil or mulch. But, make certain you make a note to yourself to plant it properly when the weather allows!

Time to remove dangerous shurbs and trees

If you have trees or shrubs to remove, or other major work in the garden, get it done while the ground is frozen in order to prevent much more serious damage that will occur if it is done when the ground softens in the spring – usually by mid-March. Soft ground compacted by heavy machinery will need a major reworking to make it loose enough for plants to grow well next year. Few things are as bad for lawns or gardens as soil compaction.

Time to get a head start!

If you are a vegetable or flower gardener who starts your own seedlings indoors for planting later, February is the month to get ageratum, petunias, and other annual flowers started along with vegetables such as beets, leeks, lettuce and onions. Your work now will give you a head start on a more productive garden this season.