Plants in Flower

• Witch Hazel,

Daphne odora, Hellabores, Hollies, Pyracantha, Washington Hawthorne
Fertilizing

• Use wood ashes on your vegetable garden, bulb beds and non-acid loving plants if the pH of the soil is below 6.0.

Planting

• Plant asparagus crowns this month when soil is dry enough to work. • Order seeds for early planting. • make plans for changes or improvements in your garden or lawn.

Pruning

• Prune grape vines. • Prune dead, broken and undesired limbs on your shade trees and shrubs. • Do NOT prune Maple, Birch, Elm, Dogwood or other trees that are “bleeders”. • Remove “weed” or undesirable trees from your landscape. • Trim Nandinas.

Lawn Care

• Keep tree leaves from collecting on your lawn. • Slow-release fertilizers may be applied on cool-season lawns. • Add lime to lawns if soil test recommends amounts based on soil test. • If applying weed control, read and follow all directions.

Propagation

• Hardwood cuttings of many landscape plants like forsythia (yellow bells), flowering quince, weigela, crape myrtle, juniper, spirea and hydrangea can be taken this month.

Specific Chores

• Try sprouting a sample of leftover seeds. Roll 10 seeds up in a damp paper towel. Keep moist and warm. Check for germination in 7-10 days. If fewer than half sprout, order new seeds. • Do not forget to care for holiday house plants like poinsettia, amaryllis, Christmas cactus, gloxinia and cyclamen. • Do not use regular salts to melt ice on walks or drive, these can damage lawn and plantings. • Order your small fruit plants like strawberry, blueberry and blackberry for a mid-March planting from your local Extension Center. • Study your home landscape to see what additions or improvements can be made this spring. • Visit your local Extension Center for landscape and garden information. • Prepare a spot in the vegetable garden for early spring vegetables like English peas, cabbage, carrots, onions, Irish potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, spinach and turnips. • Study your seed catalogs and check for the All-American Selections of flowers and vegetables. • Keep bird feeders stocked and provide water for birds. • Inspect house plants for insects and diseases. • Repair and sharpen mower blades and gardening tools. • Check condition of sprayers and garden hoses. • Show your houseplants some love this month by taking a damp cloth and gently wipe dust off leaves. • Collect scion wood for grafting and store in cool, dry place.