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In The Garden Of Good Living - February 2009: Dreaming Of The Spring Garden
by Pat Hendrickson
Indeed February is a cold month to be outside in the yard working. But our resident gardening expert reminds us of these things you can be doing this month.

Gardener's Tips
  1. Propagate Fig Trees - 6 to 8 inch cuttings should be taken from the younger growth on the tree while the tree is dormant. Other easy plants to propagate are: Forsythia, Willow, Honeysuckle, Poplar, Grape, Camellia, Cherry Laurel.
  2. Winter Blooms - Cut some Forsythia branches, put in warm water, and watch the blooms appear.
  3. Some seeds for annuals and vegetables will need to be started now - help for scheduling can be found at http://gardeningtips.org/February/feature.shtml
  4. Prune Roses and fruit trees. Trim back vines such as grapes, honeysuckle, clematis and wisteria
  5. Apply the final Dormant Spray application for Roses, fruit trees and shrubs.
  6. Pot up those tubers and corms like Irises, Dahlias, Begonias and Cannas that you so carefully squirreled away last season.
Plant Recommendations
Consider Native Plants for your garden this Spring. Because they are adapted to your local area, they need less attention. Once established, they need little water or fertilizer and attract native species of birds and insects which can be beneficial to your plants. If you'd like to add winter interest to your garden, consider these native shrubs:

Red Osier Dogwood cornus sericea
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/shrubs/cornus_sericeastolonifera.html

Cranberrybush Viburnum viburnum trilobum
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/shrubs/viburnum_trilobum.html

Red Chokeberry aronia arbutifolia
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/shrubs/aronia_arbutifolia.html

Winged Sumac rhus copallina
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/shrubs/rhus_copallina.html

American Beautyberry callicarpa americana
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/shrubs/callicarpa_americana.html





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