Hints of spring are throughout the February garden, but you’ll have to hunt for them under the snow, ice, and mud. Wrap up and head into the yard to search for signs of life!
What to See in the February Garden
- From tiny brown tips on lilacs to the fuzzy buds on magnolias, spring-blooming shrubs and trees have already set buds.
- Some landscape plants actually bloom in winter. Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis, above) is famous for its late-winter flowers. Witch hazel (Hamamelis spp.) unfurls firecracker-like tendrils in late winter.
- Some shrubs may be hanging on to berries, but only if the birds haven’t found them first. Viburnum (Viburnum spp.) and winterberry (Ilex verticillata) are sure-fire bets for luring avian visitors.
- Scout your yard for early signs of spring bulbs. Here in zone 6, daffodil leaves are already emerging. Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis, below) bloom even before crocus, sometimes pushing up through the snow.
What to Do This Month
Regardless of what the groundhog says, February and March are still wintery months in the central Indiana garden. Contact us for a free estimate for outdoor work we can do right now:
- Removing invasive plants and clearing thickets.
- Designing new ornamental gardens or kitchen gardens to be ready to plant this spring.
- Building raised beds, trellises, and other garden elements.
- Installing hardscape projects like natural stone patios.
But spring is on the way and our calendar is already filling. Contact us today to discuss your garden projects for this year!
February in the Organic Garden
- Sharpen and oil tools to make sure they (and you!) are ready for spring.
- Cut a few stems of early-blooming shrubs or thin twigs of trees to force indoors. The early blooms are a cheerful mid-winter pick-me-up.
February in the Kitchen Garden
- Start seeds of cool-season vegetables indoors to give broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower a head start.
- Dormant prune apple, pear, and deciduous trees.