February Garden Tasks
Planting Bareroots, Pruning Roses & Pest Prevention
February in the garden is the best kind of busy, with new bareroots to get planted, existing roses to prune, and yellowjackets to prevent. We've outlined a few garden tasks that will help build the foundation for a fruitful growing season by preventing disease and insect pests.
Planting Bareroots
Our bareroot fruit trees, roses, and vines are planted in recycled, biodegradable pulp pots to protect the roots and keep them from drying out. When you're ready to plant, simply score the container so the roots can spread easily, amend the soil, and plant. Our Planting Guides for both trees and pulp pots have all the information you need to get your new new bareroot off to the best possible start for many years of healthy growing.
Planting Pulp Pots
Tree Planting Guide
Planting Pulp Pots
Tree Planting Guide
Rose Care
To keep your roses performing and blooming at their best, this is the time to be sure all roses have been pruned. By removing dead, diseased and damaged canes, you are doing the number one job to prevent diseases and insect pests. Your roses will thank you all year long for the winter pruning you do now. After pruning, give your roses a good feeding with an organic rose fertilizer to boost spring growth. Our Winter Rose Care guide is full of timely care information for your new and existing roses.
Pest Prevention
The first warm days in late winter and early spring are the ideal time to put out yellowjacket traps. This is when the queen and early workers are easiest to trap, and will stop new colonies from forming. Our Rescue Disposable Yellowjacket Trap has the bait that the University of California recommends as a yellowjacket lure that won't harm honey bees. Follow the package instructions for ideal placement and efficiency.
Other February Tasks
- Plant spring and summer flowering bulbs like Gladiolus, Freesia, Ranunculus, and Lilies.
- Begin fertilizing citrus with an organic option like E.B. Stone™ Organics Citrus & Fruit Tree Food.
- Start summer veggie seeds inside—like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.
- Cut down cover crops and cover with a layer of compost. This prepares the soil for spring planting.
- Pull weeds out by the root now while the ground is moist and easy to work.
- If it doesn't rain for a week or so, schedule time to deeply irrigate, as needed.
- Control mosquitoes by emptying standing water and use Summit® Mosquito Bits®.
- Replenish your garden mulch, a three-inch layer will help keep weeds from sprouting.
- Valentine's Day is usually the last day to spray dormant spray to help control peach leaf curl.
