February Gardening Guide

Even though February is still chilly, there’s plenty you can do to set your garden up for success. In fact, late winter is the perfect time to prepare soil, prune plants, and even start some early crops. Whether you’re growing veggies, flowers, or fruit trees, a little work now will pay off once spring arrives. Here’s a helpful guide on what to do in your garden this February:

Planting & Sowing

February is a great time to get a head start on the growing season. Even if the ground is too cold for direct sowing, you can still begin planting indoors or working with hardy crops:

• Start seeds indoors – Begin cool-season crops like lettuce, kale, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill. This gives them a head start before transplanting outdoors.
• Plant bare-root trees and shrubs – Bare-root roses, fruit trees, and flowering shrubs can be planted while they’re dormant. This allows their roots to establish before the growing season begins.
• Plant hardy flowers – Pansies, violas, primroses, and snapdragons can handle cool weather and will add color to your winter garden.
• Prepare for spring veggies – If the soil is workable, you can directly sow peas, onions, leeks, and radishes. These cool-season veggies thrive in early spring temperatures.

Pruning & Maintenance

Pruning in February is essential for encouraging healthy growth and improving airflow, especially for fruit trees and shrubs. Here's where to focus:

• Prune fruit trees – Trim away dead, damaged, and crossing branches to improve air circulation and promote better fruit production.
• Cut back roses – Pruning roses while they’re dormant encourages strong spring growth and better blooms.
• Trim deciduous trees and shrubs – February is the last chance to prune most trees and shrubs before new growth appears.
• Remove dead growth – Cut back perennials and ornamental grasses to make room for fresh shoots in spring.

Soil Preparation

Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. February is the time to improve your soil quality:

• Amend soil – Work compost, manure, or organic matter into your garden beds to improve texture and nutrient content.
• Test soil pH – Test your soil’s pH and adjust with lime (to raise pH) or sulfur (to lower pH) if needed.
• Mulch garden beds – Apply a layer of mulch around plants to protect roots from frost and retain moisture.

General Garden Care

Even though it’s cold, some routine care tasks will help your garden transition smoothly into spring:

• Weed early – Start pulling weeds now before they have a chance to take over your garden.
• Protect from frost – Use row covers or cloches to shield tender plants from late frosts.
• Clean garden tools – Clean and sharpen pruners, oil tool handles, and disinfect to prevent disease spread.
• Water sparingly – Plants need less water in cool weather, so only water if the soil feels dry.

Fruit & Veggie Tips

If you have fruit trees or are starting your veggie garden, February is an important month for early care:

• Spray fruit trees – Apply dormant oil to control pests and fungal diseases before buds break.
• Check citrus trees – Protect citrus from frost using frost cloth or blankets on especially cold nights.
• Fertilize citrus – Start feeding citrus trees with a balanced fertilizer to promote spring growth and fruiting.

Get Ready for Spring!

February may feel like an in-between month, but the work you do now sets the stage for a healthy, productive garden in spring and summer. By starting seeds, pruning, and prepping soil now, you’ll give your plants the best possible start when warmer weather arrives.

Happy Gardening!