As February unfolds in Southern California, garden enthusiasts find themselves in a unique position to take advantage of the region's mild winters.
This period, often marked by cooler nights and gradually warming days, offers a perfect opportunity to engage in a variety of gardening activities that set the stage for a vibrant spring and summer.
One of the first tasks is to assess the garden for any winter damage. This is the time to prune weather-damaged branches from trees and shrubs, ensuring you only remove the damaged parts to avoid stressing the plants. Pruning not only helps to maintain the shape and health of your plants but also encourages new growth as the weather warms up.
February is also an ideal time to plant bare-root roses, fruit trees, and other deciduous plants. These plants are sold without soil around their roots, making them lighter and easier to handle. Planting them now allows the roots to establish before the stress of warmer weather sets in. It’s crucial to soak the roots in water for several hours before planting to ensure they are well-hydrated.
This month offers a window for sowing seeds of cool-season vegetables and flowers directly into the garden. Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard can be planted, along with root vegetables such as beets and carrots. For a splash of color, consider adding sweet peas, pansies, and violas, which thrive in the cooler temperatures of early spring.
Soil preparation is another important task in February. Incorporating compost or well-rotted manure into your garden beds improves soil structure, fertility, and drainage. This is also an opportune time to apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to existing plants, providing them with the nutrients needed for the growing season ahead.
Lastly, February is a good time to start planning your garden layout and plant choices for the year. Consider crop rotation in vegetable gardens to prevent soil-borne diseases and pests. Think about incorporating drought-tolerant native plants into your landscape to create a garden that is both beautiful and resilient to the region’s dry climate.
By engaging in these gardening activities in February, Southern Californians can enjoy the outdoors, improve their garden’s health and aesthetics, and prepare for a successful growing season.
About The Author
John Bagnasco has been in the gardening industry for over 50 years, starting with a horticulture degree from Michigan State University and following a stint at Frank’s Nursery and Crafts in Detroit.
After publishing his first book “Plants for the Home Vol. I” in 1976, he moved to California to become regional manager and buyer for the Nurseryland division of Sunbelt Nursery Group.
He then became the head buyer for Armstrong Garden Centers based in Glendora, California. John had a part-time affiliation with Creative Promotions for ten years before joining them full-time in October 2000 as a senior editor and radio personality for Garden Compass.
John has also taught horticulture classes at Palomar College and San Diego State University.
He is the host of the DVD “The Essential Guide to Roses,” which also features Bryan Main and Bruce and Sharon Asakawa.
His most recent book is “Planting Designs for Cacti and Succulents”.
Currently, John is a co-host on “Garden America,” an interactive live gardening show that additionally provides podcasts of the broadcasts accessible on all major platforms.
You can contact John here.