February Calendar

​This month is short and the list of things to do for gardeners is as well.  It’s time to get ready for seed starting and to continue to dream about the coming season.  

• I keep a few spring bulbs in my fridge ready for when I’m yearning for color.  Tulips and Daffodils need 12-16 weeks of chilling before forcing.  If you did not store some bulbs you can still order paper-white narcissus as they do not need a cold period like other spring bulbs.  Once paper-whites are growing, I change the water to a 7-parts water/1-part alcohol (not the good stuff) to control the growth.  You'll see from the picture that the Paperwhites on the left have been stunted from the alcohol mix while the ones on the right are very leggy.  
  
  
• Check stored bulbs and corms; discard those that are rotting.  If they are dry, mist them lightly.  Tropical bulbs such as Elephant Ears can be started and kept as house plants until they can be planted outside. 
  
  
• Continue to prune out damaged branches.  Trees can be pruned anytime during this dormant season. 
  
  
• You can start to force a few branches from spring flowering shrubs and trees such as forsythia, crabapples and pussy willows.  Place the branches in cool water in a brightly lit location misting often and keeping the cut ends in water with a flower preservative.  Moving the flowering stems to a cooler location at night will prolong their bloom. 
  
  
• It’s a good time to order seeds and supplies so you are sure to have what you need to get them started in the next couple of months. 

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