my February 2011 garden to-do list

 Do you think there's nothing to do in the garden these days but sit around and wait for the snow to melt?  Not so!  (and in Calgary, let's face it, you would be waiting until at least June!)  Here's what I hope to get done this month:

 Seeds and Vegetables

• I've finished my seed shopping but it's not too late for you!
• Stifle the urge to start seeds too early.  Look at the package for recommendations regarding how long before the last frost date to start seeds and calculate backwards.
• See my previous post: when to plant vegetable seeds in Calgary
• I am trying a few slower-growing plants this year so will be starting alpine strawberries, cleome and painted sage (salvia horminum) sometime this month.

Houseplants

•  with the days getting longer, house plants are starting to wake up now.  I'll gradually increase watering and start light fertilizing of houseplants next month.
• I'm hoping to see the first blooms forming soon on the new clivia I got last spring! 

Trees and Shrubs

• Right now is prime pruning time for most trees and shrubs (including fruit trees, Carolyn! but not lilacs!)  In fact, I already got out a week ago when it was chinooking and cut back a few overgrown branches here and there.  I've a little more to do yet as the opportunity arises.
• Since I keep my shrubs in a natural form, pruning mostly involves cutting back a few older or overgrown branches at ground level and doing some minor re-shaping each year.  See last year's post on thinning and rejuvenating shrubs.
• see the Calgary Arborist site for professional information regarding pruning techniques and timing.

From the archives:

• It is time. (my February 2010 garden planning tips)
• February is a good time to prune.
• What can you do in a Calgary zone 3 garden in mid-March? (or February, for that matter!)

If you would like a beautiful and successful garden that nourishes your body and soul, view My Services for consultation details.

Comments

[EmmaCay]

Thanks for sharing. I really want an arborist from Calgary to help me out with the trees in my yard. They need a lot of work.