Tag Archives: houseplants

February, Gardener's Checklist

Gardener’s Checklist

February 2021

Birds

  • Cedar waxwing bird eatting red beeries out of a treeRemember to check your bird feeders and keep them filled throughout the winter.

The Great Backyard Bird Count – Cornell Lab of Ornithology

  • As you think about the coming growing season, consider planting bird friendly plants in your garden

Recommended Plantings for Migratory Songbird Habitat Management – University of Rhode Island

Garden MaintenanceClose-up of snow on the needles of a spruce tree

  • Gently remove snow and ice from the branches of evergreen trees to prevent damage.

Winter Damage to Trees and Shrubs – Penn State Extension

  • Once the snow has melted, check your cold-hardy perennials for frost heaving.  Frost heaving is when your plants rise up out of the ground as a result of repeated freezing and thawing.  Carefully tamp your plants back into the ground a place soil around the base of the plant to cover any exposed roots.

Frost Heaving – Missouri Botanical Garden

  • Loppers cutting a branchThe best time to prune most trees and shrub species is will they are dormant. Remove suckers as well as dead and diseased limbs and prune for shape and airflow.
  • Wait to prune spring-flowering trees and shrubs until right after bloom.

Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs – Purdue Extension

  • Learn how to properly prune your trees and shrubs.

Pruning Workshop – Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County

HouseplantsHouseplants

  • The sun’s angle is changing.  Move your houseplants to ensure the receive proper light.
  • Prune overgrowth and remove dead leaves.
  • Continue to monitor your plants for infestations and disease.

Houseplant Problems : Diagnostic Chart – University of Maryland Extension

  • Transplant root-bound plants into larger containers.

Vegetable Gardening

  • Tray of cabbage seedlings inWant to get a head start on your vegetable garden, but don’t have space inside, consider winter sowing.

Successful Winter Seed Sowing – Penn State Extension

  • If you are planning on growing onions or leeks from seed this year, it is time to start those seeds.

Vegetable Planing Guide – Cornell Cooperative Extension

  • Assortment of Vegetables and Flowers - tomatoes, pumpkins, greens and flowersWhether you are a beginner or an experienced vegetable gardener there is always more to learn.  Sign-up for a vegetable gardening class.

Vegetable Gardening Classes – Cornell Cooperative Extensions

We are off to a snowy start to February and if Punxsutawney Phil is to be believed we are in for another six more weeks of winter!
Groundhog standing up straight on its hind legs looking out over the grass