February Gardens
February is a month of transition for gardeners in the PNW. While the winter is still in full swing (it snowed last night!), it's also a time when the days are getting longer, and we can begin to prepare for the upcoming growing season. Here are some of the garden chores you can tackle in February and some plants you can start planting.
Prune fruit trees: February is the time to prune your fruit trees before the sap rises. Pruning helps to promote healthy growth, improve fruit quality, and prevent disease. Be sure to remove any dead or diseased branches, as well as any that are crossing or rubbing against each other. My husband pruned the vine maple at our new place, so it doesn't shade the garden.
Clean up garden beds: It's essential to clean up your garden beds in the late winter or early spring to prevent the spreading of disease and pests. Remove any dead or diseased plant material, and clear out any debris that has accumulated over the winter. Now is also an excellent time to pull up any weeds before they get established, as they are still growing slowly. I like to throw mine into a 5-gallon bucket, so make compost tea….it smells like poo when it rots in the water, but it’s an excellent way to get the nutrients from the weeds back into the soil.
Add compost: February is a great time to add compost to your garden beds. Compost is a rich source of organic matter that can help to improve soil structure, fertility, and water-holding capacity.
Plant cool-season crops: In the PNW, you can start planting cool-season crops in February, such as peas, lettuce, spinach, and kale. These crops are well-suited to the cooler temperatures and shorter days of late winter and early spring. Presidents day weekend is the benchmark for the beginning of planting. I was tempted to plant last weekend, but I’m glad I held off since a cold front came in last night, and it snowed and froze!
Start seeds indoors: February is also an excellent time to start seeds indoors for plants that need a longer growing season, such as tomatoes and peppers. This will give them a head start before planting them outside in the spring. I’m excited that I have space this year to do this, though I need to get hopping and clear off a space in the garage to begin.
In addition to these garden chores, here are some plants that you can start planting in the PNW in February:
Hellebores: Hellebores are a beautiful, early-blooming perennial well-suited to Puget Sound’s mild winters. They come in various colors and bloom from late winter through early spring.
Snowdrops: Snowdrops are another early-blooming bulb that can add color to your garden in late winter. They're hardy plants that can tolerate cold temperatures and snow.
Crocuses: Crocuses are colorful and easy-to-grow bulbs that can be planted in late winter for early spring blooms. They come in various colors and can add a cheerful touch to your garden.
Primroses: Primroses are bright and cheerful plants that can bloom from late winter through early spring. They're well-suited to the PNW mild climate and can thrive in both sun and shade.
Winter Daphne: Wherever I go, I plant daphne, and February is the time to purchase new plants. You can find them at nurseries and Home Depot for a few short weeks in the spring.
While February is still technically winter in the PNW, it's also a time of new beginnings for gardeners. By tackling these garden chores and planting early-blooming plants, you can get a head start on the growing season and enjoy the beauty of your garden throughout the year.