February ending until mid March is time in limbo if we are talking gardening, at least in my area...the Southeast.
Some things we can do that will help the transition from waiting to digging are really very important, although they don't compare to what's coming !
Be cautious about cleanup around your plants right now...too much disturbance and you will weaken the protection they need from the last cold spell that is sure to come.
Today I pulled early Vetch from around the base of the greenhouse, got all the potting material set up in the potting shed and greenhouse, and picked up/removed dead branches that were not attached to anything from all the beds.
Put potted plants outside for a day of sun and watering...back in the Gh or basement tonight.
The coming week will find me pruning roses, Crape Myrtle, and Butterfly shrubs...these are hardy to pruning now....remember, when you prune your roses, make the cut an inch or so above a bud nodule, on an angle , facing toward the direction the bud is growing. After you cut the stem, drop a bit of wood glue into the little hole...this keeps water. snow, and insects from getting down into the stem and causing damage.
Remember that butterfly bushes only bloom on new wood, so be sure to cut all the dead branches from last year, they will grow and fill in quickly.
Crepe Myrtle is also one that just needs the dead wood trimmed, kinda depends on how you have allowed them to grow and shape...mine are trees, so not much pruning needed. If you have more shrub shape then a bit more clipping may be in order.
Also...if you are sowing seed to plant out later that can be done now...most things need 6 to 8 weeks to grow before planting out. ( transferring from seedlings to larger pots or the ground.
If you plant now you need a greenhouse or some form of protection with light and heat to help the germination and growth process.
See you in the Potting Shed soon~
Bea Kunz
PS: I have a request if you would kindly allow me...
Go to this link and vote for my niece ( Lindsay ) vote only once and the voting ends on the 1st of March.
http://www.cakerysuppliescontest.com/
Thank you from my heart~
Some things we can do that will help the transition from waiting to digging are really very important, although they don't compare to what's coming !
Today I pulled early Vetch from around the base of the greenhouse, got all the potting material set up in the potting shed and greenhouse, and picked up/removed dead branches that were not attached to anything from all the beds.
Put potted plants outside for a day of sun and watering...back in the Gh or basement tonight.
The coming week will find me pruning roses, Crape Myrtle, and Butterfly shrubs...these are hardy to pruning now....remember, when you prune your roses, make the cut an inch or so above a bud nodule, on an angle , facing toward the direction the bud is growing. After you cut the stem, drop a bit of wood glue into the little hole...this keeps water. snow, and insects from getting down into the stem and causing damage.
Remember that butterfly bushes only bloom on new wood, so be sure to cut all the dead branches from last year, they will grow and fill in quickly.
Crepe Myrtle is also one that just needs the dead wood trimmed, kinda depends on how you have allowed them to grow and shape...mine are trees, so not much pruning needed. If you have more shrub shape then a bit more clipping may be in order.
Also...if you are sowing seed to plant out later that can be done now...most things need 6 to 8 weeks to grow before planting out. ( transferring from seedlings to larger pots or the ground.
If you plant now you need a greenhouse or some form of protection with light and heat to help the germination and growth process.
See you in the Potting Shed soon~
Bea Kunz
PS: I have a request if you would kindly allow me...
Go to this link and vote for my niece ( Lindsay ) vote only once and the voting ends on the 1st of March.
http://www.cakerysuppliescontest.com/
Thank you from my heart~
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