February Garden Tasks

February Garden Tasks

            Shrub and Tree Care

Deciduous shrubs and trees are still dormant enough to transplant this month. Once the buds have begun to swell, it will be too late. Azaleas and other small shrubs transplant easily but moving large Rhododendrons and other specimen size plants takes considerably more effort and require some additional help.

Trees that weren't fed last fall should be deep fed by punching a series of 1-2 inch holes two feet apart around the drip line and filled with the appropriate food. A mulch of well composted manure is also an excellent treat for your tree.

When Should I fertilize my shrubs and evergreens?

• Mid to late February

What kind of fertilizer should I use?

• Use an acid type Rhododendron fertilizer to feed evergreens, conifers, broad leaf evergreens, Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Camellias.
• Use an all-purpose fertilizer to feed Roses and other deciduous trees and shrubs.
• If you use granular type fertilizers, be sure to water it in thoroughly.

When should I begin pruning?

• Prune your summer flowering shrubs now but be aware that spring bloomers have already produced their buds last fall, and pruning them now will result in the loss of flowers.
• Forsythia, Spirea and other early spring flowering shrubs should be pruned a little later, after they have finished flowering.
• Pruning should be done to improve the shape of the plant, as well as to open up the center
  of the plant to good air circulation and sun exposure.

What steps should I take to prune my shrubs?

• Always start your pruning by removing all dead, decayed or broken branches.
• The methods of pruning Roses vary, depending on the type of Rose. Climbing roses should be thinned out to get rid of last years tangled growth.
• It's a good time to stroll around and trim back any branches that were damaged by the winter cold.

If you have not applied your dormant spray to your fruit trees, DO IT NOW!! The sprays will provide treatment for disease and over winter pests. If there are buds on your fruit trees do not spray. Be sure to prune your tree before you spray.

Create your own Container Garden

Container Gardening

Even the smallest patio or porch can boast a crop of vegetables or a garden of flowers in containers. The container garden is only limited by your imagination.

Containers to use: Planter boxes, wooden barrels, hanging baskets, and large flower pots are good choices.

Tips for your container choices

                                            *Be careful using wooden containers as they may rot.

                                            *Make sure you have plenty of drainage in your pot   

*If your pot does not already have a matching saucer 

use a clear plastic saucer under to prevent soil loss.  

Growing Mixture

You can use a commercial potting mix like Miracle Grow Potting Soil OR create your own potting mixture using equal parts of sand, loamy garden soil and peat moss. When you add your soil leave a 2 inch space between the top of the soil and the top of the container.

Sunlight

Your container garden will need at least five hours of direct sunlight each day, and some plants will benefit from even more.

Flower Guidelines

Be sure to check the tags for the amount of sunlight required most annuals can
handle direct sunlight.

Vegetable Guidelines

*Leafy vegetables such as cabbage and lettuce can tolerate the most shade

*Root crops such as beets and carrots will need more sun

*Fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes & cucumbers need the most sun
and should be in direct sunlight.

What to Grow

Annuals

 Alyssum*Begonia*Browallia*Coleus*Geraniums*Impatiens*Latana*Lobelia*Marigolds 

Periwinkle*Nasturtiums*Pansies*Petunias*Salvia*Sanvitalia*Snapdragons*Thunbergia*Zinnias       

       

Vegetables

      Beans * Beets * Broccoli * Brussels Sprouts * Cabbage * Carrot* Cucumber * Eggplant * Garlic

                            Lettuce * Onion * Pepper * Radish * Spinach * Tomatoes

Do it yourself

Instructions to design the container pictured above

 

1. Dahlia: Big, long lasting blooms that

    make good cut flowers.

   Attracts Hummingbirds

2. Magilla Perilla(Red Perilla):

    rounded foliage with splashes of

    hot pink, deep plum & green. 

    Colors develop best in sun

3. Cuban Oregano: Colorful foliage, this plant is low

                                                                            maintenance its green leaves edged in white make

                                                                            this a great accent plant



Visit Munds Outdoor Living to pick up your selection of plants & Containers.

Munds Outdoor Living

1500 Route 179

Lambertville, NJ 08530

609.397.5995

Hours:
Mon 9am-6pm Tues: 9am-5pm Wed: 9am-6pm Thur: 9am-5pm Fri: 9am-6pm

Saturday & Sunday: 9am-5pm



Protecting your Spring Plants from Frost

 

Spring is always a tenuous time with temperatures ranging from the 80's one day to 50 the next.  The warmer temperatures do wonders in getting seeds to germinate and buds to break but once freezing is approached, things can go south very quickly.

If daytime temperatures begin to get cooler, keep a watchful eye on night temps.  Once they hit below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you may need to begin covering delicate perennials, herbs, veggies and bring indoor plants inside.

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/images/frost.jpg

This is an image of plants with frost damaged that could have been prevented by

 covering the plant the night before.

Weather channels also conveniently warn of freeze or frost warnings the day before.  Take heed of these and use them to your benefit.  Use old sheets, plastic or tarps or burlap to cover delicate plants.

In general, any tender new growth on an established plant is susceptible to frost damage in addition to flower buds.  Hydrangeas and azaleas at this time of year have tender new growth and breaking flower buds that should be protected.  All herbs and veggies should be covered or taken inside if possible.  Some can tolerate a light frost but it is better to be safe than sorry.  Additionally, tender perennials, such as hosta, should be covered.  Hosta, however, grow from the inside out so if the outer leaves are damaged they can be removed and the plant will look like new in a couple weeks.

Frost damage results in limp, wet looking leaves that will turn brown in the following days.  The end sprouts generally also will turn brown.  All these can be pruned off and the plant will only experience minor set backs for the growing year.  Even herbs and veggies can bounce back if they are a big enough plant before the damage was incurred.


If you have any questions or comments, please contact the garden center at info@mundsoutdoorliving.com
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