Not much change in the garden since last month. If anything the temperatures are even lower! The ice, last week, made even the walk to the mailbox, treacherous! But, according to the calendar, we are one month closer to springtime! Hopefully, my seed order will appear in the mailbox soon and before the end of the month, I plan to have some seeds started! Soon I'll be savoring the miracle of new green growth sprouting from dry, brown, wrinkled seeds. (And, yes, you are welcome to think my gardening enthusiasm is completely loony!)
Some garden projects for this month...
1. Place a seed order, if not done in January.
It certainly isn't too late to order seeds. But it shouldn't be put off too much longer, especially if you plan to start some seeds indoors.
2. Check old seeds for germination.
A great project for children! If you have some old seeds from past years that you are unsure if they will grow, do a germination check. Most seeds if kept cool and dry will be great the following year, but sweet corn, especially, seems to be hard to keep to the next year. To make sure you don't need to replace your seeds, count out ten seeds. Place the seeds between two wet paper towels and place in a plastic bag. Place in a warm place, such as the top of the refrigerator, and check in a week. Count the sprouted seeds to figure out the germination rate. For example, if seven of the seeds have germinated, you have a 70% germination rate. You can then decide if you need to buy new seeds or just plant the seeds a little closer.
3. Prune trees, shrubbery, grapes, and other woody plants.
Pruning is best done in late winter before the sap is running in the branches. It is also much easier to see what you are doing before the branches are leafed out. There is a right and wrong way to prune, and I really haven't figured it out, especially for grapes! Some warm day this month, I will pull out my gardening books and check out a few on-line sites before jumping into grape pruning. I was quite pleased with the result of my pruning last year, despite my inexperience, so hopefully it will work out this year as well! If you are uncertain as I am on how to prune effectively, check out a book in the library on pruning. A book will give you some general principles but I've decided that it is one of those things that you just need to jump in do it and you'll begin to understand the methodology! Perennials such as clematis, butterfly bushes, and ornamental grasses also can be cut back in late winter.
Edited to add : Do not prune any of your spring blooming shrubs or you will lose your blooms this year. Shrubs, such as lilacs, should be pruned immediately after they finish blooming. Fruiting plants, such as grapes, apples, and peaches are pruned in the spring so that more strength goes into fruit production. For other plants, such as clematis, the proper pruning time can vary by type, as some are pruned in spring and others in fall. It depends whether they bloom from old or new wood. Check your plant tags, a dependable gardening book or experienced gardener for help with your particular plants.
4. Start early vegetable seeds indoors.
Early flowers and vegetables such as pansies, snapdragons, broccoli, cabbage and lettuce, can be started in February indoors. I wouldn't start other flowers and vegetables such as tomatoes until March. I don't like to have large plants that are getting lanky waiting for the weather to warm outside. But I don't have a ton of experience of indoor seed starting. Maybe you ladies with greenhouse have more that you can share with us! Really fast growing plants like vine crops, basil, cosmos and zinnias, should be started in April or just sown directly in the ground.
5. Work up the garden soil, as soon as it dries.
Some times this is in February, other years much later! Most of us are rather impatient to get those first peas and onions in the ground! But tilling up wet ground will only cause more problems, so don't rush it!
6. Force some flowering branches.
Here is a project for those of us who wish to bring some signs of spring to our homes. I'm planning to try this for the first time. It doesn't sound difficult. Cut some branches of a spring flowering tree or shrub. Options include spirea, forsythia, plum, cherry, apple, and quince. Cut a two inch slit up the bottom of the stem and place in warm water. Change the water every week and wait for blossoms!
What are your plans for your garden this month?
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