February Tips of the Month

February Tips of the Month

Planting

pansy-327188_250Winter / Fall Annuals - Fill in bare spots with calendula, cineraria, Iceland poppy, nemesia, pansy, primrose, snapdragon, stock, sweet pea, and viola.

Cool Seasons Vegetables - Plant seeds of beets, carrots, chives, endive, kale, lettuce, fennel, mustard, leeks, green onion, radishes, parsley, peas, Swiss chard, and spinach. Also set out seedlings of broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

Bare-Roots - Still enough time to get some of your bare-root plants in; roses, fruit trees, grapes, berries, etc. See below for more information.

 

Bare-Root Plants

 

plum-850557 250

Bare-Root planting season is here! They should be planted now when the winter rains  will help them become established before warm spring weather brings on a burst of growth. Plants to select include roses, apples, pears, apricots, plums, cherries, and peaches. Check availability of these plants at your local nursery or give us a call at 544-5296.

Dormant Spray Fruit Trees

Apple Tree

Pests that appear on lush new spring growth are eliminated or greatly reduced by properly applying dormant sprays now.  They effectively kill the over wintering eggs of aphids, mites, most scales, plus many other pests and some plant diseases that are now in their most vulnerable stage. For most fruit trees apply a fixed copper or a lime-sulfur mixed with horticultural oil.  For apricots use only fixed copper.  The lime-sulfur may kill the apricot tree.

*Seasonal spraying of trees is not included in our regular maintenance service.

WHEN TO TREAT: After the leaves drop or just before the tender buds begin to swell and open.  Avoid treatment just prior to rain as this will reduce its’ efficacy.

Pruning

Prune trees now, well before the buds and leaves expand.
pruning-shears-535350_250
Roses need pruning in late winter once the buds swell and after the last frost.
Fruit trees need pruning for maximum production.
For evergreen hedges and shrubs, the best time to shear is in early spring before new growth begins. The new growth will soon hide the woody branches and soften the plant's look.
Prune later winter and spring flowering ornamental tress and shrubs after they bloom in the spring.
*Seasonal pruning of trees is not included in our maintenance service.

Related Posts