Gardening Tips for February

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After the Holiday Plant Care

Poinsettia's keeping quality depends on several factors. Many home gardeners have no trouble keeping a poinsettia looking good through the winter, but bringing it into "flower" in subsequent years is a challenge for the best of gardeners. They are still considered actively growing even now and will need water, sunlight, and fertilizing through February.

First Garden Vegetables Should Be Planted Soon

Although it's still too early to plant such popular garden vegetables such as tomatoes, beans and corn, it's just the right time for "Coastal Carolina" gardeners to plant cool season vegetables.

Cool season vegetables are those that should be planted early in the growing season because they stop producing when hot weather comes. Among the first vegetables that should be planted in the garden are cabbage, carrots, head lettuce, onions, Irish potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, spinach, turnips, edible podded peas and garden peas, which are also called English peas. Soon after they are in the ground, it'll be time to plant broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, mustard and Swiss chard.

Planting times vary among the different types of vegetables and in different parts of the state. For instance, if you live in the upper Coastal Plain or lower Piedmont regions, you should plant carrot seeds between Feb. 15 and March 1. In western North Carolina, delay planting for 10 to 20 days. And in eastern North Carolina, plant 7 to 12 days earlier.

Information on home gardening in your area is available from your local county Extension Office. Those interested in planting cool season crops may request a copy of the Home Vegetable Gardening Manual. The free publication lists suggested planting times along with many other gardening tips.

February Gardening Chores

• Plant early vegetable gardens such as peas, sugar snaps, onion seeds, head lettuce, carrots, etc...consult your local Extension Agent for information on planting dates.
• Use only fresh new 2007 packaged seed. It is not wise to save seed, particularly hybrid seed, since seed will lose vigor or produce plant not true to type.
• Purchase quality seed from reputable dealers or garden centers.
• Purchase varieties that grow well in your regions or area.
• Select varieties that have resistance to major diseases such as rust or nematodes.
• Keep up with or become knowledgeable with varieties that are genetically superior to older varieties.
• Pansies are by far the most popular winter landscape annual. Deadhead periodically to ensure more blooms. During active growth in the spring fertilize them about once a month.
• Be prepared just on the chance there may actually be some more winter weather ahead of us. Don't let unseasonably mild temperatures dictate what you do in the landscape.

Pruning Camellias

Camellia japonica can be grown as a large evergreen shrub or a small tree and they can also create an excellent screen. The best time to prune is when the blooms fade....about this time of year on many plants. Remove spent flowers to prevent seed formation. If possible, try to make pruning cuts just above the thickened, rough area on the stem.

Winter Lawn Care

February will be a good time to evaluate your turf. The lawns that will need the most attention are the ones that are green and brown! The green parts are the cool season grasses and weeds ...fescue, bluegrass, annual bluegrass, etc. and the brown areas are the warm season grass species...Bermuda, Centipede, Zoysia or dead areas. The goal should be to have one or the other, and not both. Consult the Carolina Lawns publication for complete information on renovating turf areas.

Garden Clean Up

The soil may be too wet to work, but itŐs never too wet in landscape beds to add mulch. Generally, this time of year the beds could stand a late winter touch up. Add a fresh layer of pine needles or bark to the beds.

EVERGREEN AZALEAS IN ORDER OF BLOOM

Many landscape projects are planned and planted in the fall for a great display in the spring. Azaleas are great landscape plants and perform beautifully if planted in the correct microclimate....under tall pine trees in rich, well drained soil, with a sprinkler system would be ideal. It is possible to have a prolonged season of bloom (2 months) from the azaleas if numerous cultivars are used. The following is a list of popular evergreen azaleas according to their normal sequence of bloom.
Early: Hino de giri, Sherwood Red, Coral Bells, Tradition, H.H. Hume, Hershey's Red, Snow, Hino Crimson, Delaware Valley.
Midseason: G.G. Gerbing, George Tabor, President Clay, Formosa, Rosebud, Elaine, and Pink camellia.
Late: Gumpo, Lady Robin, Martha Hitchcock, Harris Purple, Higasa

What kills plants?

Answer: Mostly planting too deep, underwatering, overwatering and overfertilizing practices. Sometimes new plantings are sensitive to cold damage in the winter. Extra care may be needed to get the newly establishing plants through a cold winter. Mulches help and so do some of the wraps. Better yet, make sure they are planted in the right location.


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