February To-Do

Tend Your Indoor Garden

Tend to the houseplant, inspect for pests, and determine the need for re-potting.

Clean-Up

During winter thaws, wander through the yard gathering wind-thrown twigs and hauling the bigger branches to the woods. That makes spring clean-up go quicker.

Cut Back Grass

Cut back perennial ornamental grasses to about six inches above ground. Cut back liriope and mondo grass.

Rake Moss

Decomposing fallen leaves feed moss over the winter, but rake them in mid-winter to reveal a welcome emerald green carpet.

Fertilize

Fertilize trees and shrubs very late in the month.

Repairing Fences

Now that your view of the fence and gate is unobscured by plants and flowers, you might see where repairs are needed. Nailing loose pickets into place, put on a fresh coat of paint, and consider replacing the latch on the gate.

Painting Porch

If your front porch shows some wear and tear, plan to repaint the porch floor—a dark color to hide imperfections—and the ceiling. It's the first thing—besides the fence—people see when they visit your home so you want it to look great.

Mailbox Plantings

Add flowers and plants around the mailbox to take advantage of one more planting opportunity, while hiding the uninspiring post.

Plan Research Trips

Begin planning your visit to the local garden and flower shows.

Start Planning

Begin planning how you will add and/or change the garden come spring.

Planning Side Garden

After concentrating a lot of effort on your front yard garden last spring, it's time to give your side garden some love. Think about ornamental grasses and interesting specimens for part-shade.

Work on Lighting Plan

Security lighting is top priority for your home and family’s safety, but consider working on a more comprehensive plan that incorporates lighting to highlight landscaping.

Shopping for Furniture

Since stores are making room for furniture to debut in the spring, look in February for outdoor furniture on sale as retailers try to clear out for new items.

Spring Cleaning for Bluebirds

Clean out your bluebird boxes and secure any screws that are getting loose. If squirrels have been gnawing at the entrance hole of any boxes, buy a metal ring to put around the hole to deter them.

Stock Feeders

Stock the bird feeders regularly. Without trees and plants in new bloom just yet, birds are in need of a dependable food source. It’s also fun sitting on the porch and watching the different types of birds who come to eat.

Watch for Bees

On warmer days, watch the beehives for bees taking cleansing flights.

Seed Set-Up

Place orders for seeds.

Plant Spring Vegetables

Begin planting sweet peas and spring vegetables unless you live in a cold climate.

Plant Fruit Trees

If your region is snow-free, this is a great time to get bare-root fruit trees in the ground.

Plant Sweet Pea

Toward the end of the month, plant sweet pea seeds. Try a variety called “Window Box Heirloom Cupid” that’s recommended for window boxes and containers.

Protect Camellia

There are those that bloom in winter, including Camellia japonica. Now is the time to spray undersides of leaves with dormant oil to reduce tea scale infestations for the rest of the year.

Tend Sempervivum

Hen and chicks sempervivum—along with sedums—are among the most cold-hardy succulents in any winter garden. Carefully remove any mushy stems and leaves to better enjoy the small textured plants.

Buy Hyacinths

Snap up small 4-inch pots of forced hyacinths when they’re on sale at the supermarket. You can enjoy the fragrance in your home and move them outside once spring arrives. After the leaves die in midsummer, store the bulbs (still in their pots) for fall planting.