February garden checklist

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.

• 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

• Prune fruit trees.