Indoors
- Keep houseplants close to bright windows. Check soil for dryness before watering.
- Examine produce, tender flower bulbs and roots stored for the winter for rot, shriveling or excess moisture. Remove and discard damaged material.
- Sketch garden plans, including what to grow, spacing, arrangement and number of plants needed.
- Order seeds and plants as early as possible for best selection.
Test left over garden seed for germination. Place 10 seeds between moist paper toweling, or cover with a thin layer of soil. Keep seeds warm and moist. If fewer than six seeds germinate, buy fresh seed.- Wash pots and trays that will be used for seed sowing and transplants.
- Start seeds for cool-season vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage, five to seven weeks before transplanting outdoors.
- Start seeds for impatiens, begonia, geranium and other slow growing annuals.
General Landscape
- Prune landscape plants except early spring bloomers, which should be pruned within a month after the have finished blooming. Birches, maples, dogwoods and other heavy sap bleeders can be pruned in early summer.
- Repair or build trellis for roses, grapes and other vining plants as needed.
- Fertilize spring-flowering bulbs as they break ground.
- Prepare lawn and garden equipment for the upcoming growing season. Sharpen blades and have equipment serviced before the spring rush.
Vegetables and Fruits