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February Zone-4 To-Do List
This is my attempt to create a Zone-4 List with average last frost May 15. Please check with your local extension agent for recommended dates for planting and fertilizing.
General To-dos
Finish planning garden.
Review gardening budget and record items you have purchased.
Prepare trellis, cages, etc. for summer crops.
Prepare tools and equipment for spring.
Perennials
Check borders and beds for plants that have pushed out of the ground. Cover with mulch.
Check window boxes and tubs with live plants (evergreens, bulbs, perennials) water if dry when T. is greater than 32 degrees.
Cold frames with live plants. Provide additional coverage during cold spells. Tarp or heavy plastic securely tied down or hay under glass. Leave snow covering alone.
Place black-eyed Susan seeds in a cool place-40 degrees- for three months.
Wild life
Feed suet and seeds. Make a pudding of suet, seeds, oatmeal and peanut butter.
Provide fresh unfrozen water.
Bushes/ Trees
Remove heavy snow from evergreens.
Check evergreens for bag worms and remove.
Check junipers for leaf miners (brown, hollowed out foliage). Cut off and destroy.
Order hardy shrubs.
Ponds
Care for fish left in outdoor ponds:
Stop feeding fish when pond temp is less than 45 degrees. Use spring and autumn feed when temp is over 45 degrees. Be careful not to overfeed.
Change 20% of pond water every month when T if over 32 degrees.
Bulbs
Check stored pots, corms, bulbs and tubers:
- discard rotted bulbs.
- cut away withered and rotted portions of tubers and dust with sulfur.
- pack glad bulbs in plastic bags and add 1 oz. naphthalene flakes/ 100 corms.
- Store glads at 35 to 40 degrees.
- check for moisture. Keep almost dry with exception of , achimenes, tuberous begonias or cannas-keep slightly moist.
February 1-15. Plant seeds for: Begonias, Nierembergia, Lantanas, Vinca, Stock, Helitrope, Carefree geraniums, and Dusty Miller.
February 16-28. Start seeds for: Carnations, Double petunias, Snapdragons, Coleus, Verbena, Thyme, Periwinkle.
Summer Container Bulbs
Top dress: Agapanthus, Crinium, Spiral Ginger, Ginger lily, 12 apostles and Omithogalum.
Plant tubers in pots: Dahlia, Caladium, Begonias, Crinum, and Zephyr Lily.
Begin watering begonias stored in pots.
Indoor Container Bulbs
Keep watering and fertilizing your Amaryllis as you would before flowering until next September.
Crocus-move potted bulbs indoor-those you potted in the fall. Or buy cold treated bulbs and plant.
Houseplants
Check house plants for spider mites, scale, white flies and mealy bugs. Treat.
Poinsettia, when all the leaves have fallen, cut back stems to 4" and keep almost dry.
*Gardening is a big investment in time and money. Don't take chances! Always check with your local extension agent, garden center,
master gardener or garden club for recommendations about planting, fertilizing, soil amendments, watering, preventive pest and disease control, and choose of plants. Local discount
stores can carry plants not recommended for local conditions. Always check for suitability before purchasing.
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