February Gardening In Soperton

Written By Soperton's "Gardening Guru"

February Gardening

Don't you just love these cold, sunless days when the warmth of a good fire, a cuddly afghan and a good book keep you company? Everything in nature seems to be resting along with me.

Don't delay too long, however, those tasks that must be done now if your gardening is not to suffer. Check your tools and implements and repair any that are broken. Before the end of the month carefully examine all lawn mowers; send out for repairs those that need them, and send all to be sharpened.

Early February is a good time to plant dogwoods in Georgia. When selecting a site, look for an area where the soil is well-drained and do not plant too deeply. Use mulch around the planted trees and keep them watered during dry periods. Transplanting of trees and overgrown shrubs should be completed early this month.

Crape myrtles are one of the most rewarding flowering trees in our area. These should be pruned now. Pruning will encourage new growth, and flowers are produced each year on new growth. Pruning of flowering shrubs that bloom in summer on shoots that will begin to develop this spring should be completed this month. These include oleander, butterfly bush, spiraea, and rose of Sharon. The pruning of grape vines should be completed without delay. If this is done too late, "bleeding" from the cut ends occurs.

As bulb flower heads die, cut them off and fertilize now. Do not cut back the foliage!

The camellia bushes are beginning their annual show; and how lucky we are in Soperton to be able to drive by Sheila and Bob Knight's spectacular camellia garden. They are doing a great job in keeping Mrs. Laura Peterson's legacy blooming. Thank you, Sheila and Bob!

February is the month to prune and cut back roses. My mother always waited until this month to do this; and she grew beautiful, fragrant specimens. It is a good idea to remove old mulch and dead leaves from around your bushes and replace it with new mulch. It is one of life's pleasures to view your rose garden in this fresh, rejuvenated state. You can almost smell the first blooms. I plan to try a different deer repellent this year. Keep your fingers crossed! If it works, I'll pass it on.

See you outside.