February in the Garden

After the weeks of snow, it is nice to get a break from the artic blast and get back to our normal milder winter! This is an excellent time to get a few things done before March. Here is a list of 7 top suggestions.1. Go to the Flower & Garden Show (Feb. 20-24). The color and smell of the plants is beneficial to your health. Plants add oxygen to the air while their aromas can reduce stress and color is its own therapy. The landscape designs can inspire you for your plans for spring and summer projects.2. Plant Cool season Veggies-Direct Sow. Root Veggies best done now after the full moon. Beets, Radish, Onions, Garlic, Potatoes, Parsnips and Cool Season- Spinach, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Swiss Chard and Kale.3. Prune and Tidy Evergreen Perennials- Hellebores, Heuchera and Blooming Seasonal plants- Violas, Pansies, Primroses- that may need deadheading or damaged/old leaves removed.4. Add a pair of Camellias or other evergreen shrub or Conifers for containers near entry way outside of your front door. Use cool season color- Violas, Pansies, Heather, Primroses and Ground Covers to trail- Vinca, Wire Vine, Lonicera or Heucherella.5. Get Your Spring Seeds, Bare Root Fruits & Sets Now. Ed Hume Seeds are local to the PNW and are non-GMO, have a great price point and selection. Order seeds online or explore “seed libraries” or seed sharing programs for heirloom or hard to find plants. Bare Root Fruit Trees and Berry plants may be available this time of the year but must be planted right away (they have no soil). Garlic, Onions and Potatoes bulb sets can also be planted now. 6. Prune Fruit Trees. Selectively prune others. Wait until March to prune Roses and other summer bloomers.7. Houseplant Care. Repot houseplants that are root bound. Check others for insects and disease. Water those that need it, add organic liquid fertilizer to soil or liquid with water.