Things to do in your garden in February.
Taken from the Ontario Master Gardener Calendar
by John Hethrington, Master Gardener Emeritus
Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario
Please contact John for more information!
February Garden Tips:
- The warm pre-Christmas weeks into the first 2 weeks of January were over with a ten below bang. The snow was really here. There was lots of snow cover too. But, before we get a February thaw and refreeze, mound up all the available snow and any new snow that falls, around tender plants like roses.
- If you have a few boughs left over from your Christmas tree, put them over tender plants to catch the snow. It is the freeze/thaw cycle that kills plants, not just the cold.
- Start planning your garden projects for 2024. Make a list for the Spring, then you will know what you didn’t get done when you check it in June. I have mine done and I am tired already. Luckily, a garden is never finished!
- Go online and order up Spring Catalogues. I just got mine from Botanus in British Columbia, packed with spring and summer plants like dozens of colourful Dahlias, beautiful Begonias, lovely lilies and Achilleas. Check them out at www.botanus.com
- Start propagating stem cuttings of geraniums, fuchsias, etc. by the end of the month.
- Plant slow germinating seeds for the spring inside now, like impatiens, peppers, eggplants, etc.
- Don’t over-water house plants. Wait till the soil in the pot is dry down at least an inch before adding more water. Then water well and wait until it’s dry again.
- As the weather warms, you can start pruning shade trees, fruit trees and shrubs, if you can get to them through the snow. Leave trees that “bleed” like maples and birch until after the sap runs and the leaves appear in the spring.
- You can forget about the big garden shows again this year. Canada Blooms and the Peterborough Garden Show are on hiatus, still recovering from the effects of COVID, etc.
- But, to get a WHIFF OF SPRING, plan to take in the Barrie Spring Garden and Home Show, March 9 -10 2024, 10 AM to 4 PM at Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery in Springwater, on Hwy 90, just west of Barrie. Hear special guest presenter, Frankie Flowers at 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. It’s worth the drive to Springwater.
- It may be early, but if there are any students out there interested in garden work after school this spring and all summer too, please get in touch now. There are lots of jobs available—please contact John Hethrington
John Hethrington,
Master Gardener Emeritus,
Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario
Beaver Valley Probus Club