Using a premium blended starting mix to get plants growing helps with building strong roots.
February’s weather can vary widely, with it mostly being cold and damp, or rainy and snowy.
These are the days to be indoors to concentrate on planning and organizing for garden preparations.
The soil is likely still too cold for most outdoor planting, but the increasing day length signals the start of the new gardening season to come soon.
Begin planting seeds indoors for crops that need a longer growing season, such as onions, leeks, shallots, artichokes and peppers.
Later in the month you can start beets, cabbage, collards, mustard greens, kale, tomato, tomatillo, turnips and many types of herbs indoors.
Remember the ideal time to start seeds indoors varies depending on the specific plant, but a good rule of thumb is to begin planting six to eight weeks before the last chance of expected frost which is generally between April 7-20 on average.
Another thing to consider when deciding when to start seeds indoors is the harvest and maturity date of the crop you are planting.
Remember each crop and even different varieties of the same crop may have different maturity dates, so if you want tomatoes in June or a specific flower to bloom at a certain time, plan accordingly.
We suggest using a premium blended seed starting mix, like Espoma’s Seed Starter mix, which is fortified with Myco-tone (beneficial fungi), that helps develop bigger and stronger roots.
Simply add water to the dry mix in a bowl until it’s evenly damp, not soaking wet. Then fill the trays or pots with the moistened mix. Plant the seeds by inserting into the mix, making a small hole and covering.
Spray mist with water over the tray and loosely cover with plastic wrap or with a plastic dome, to maintain humidity until the sprouts appear.
Move to a warm spot (65-75 degrees) with good light, such as that of a south facing window.
Once true leaves form, begin feeding with a gentle fertilizer like liquid plant starter, premixing in a gallon jug so to water at room temperature. You may have to transplant the seedling once they are leafed out into a slightly larger peat pot.
Remember before planting outdoors to gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions for seven to 10 days, bringing them in at night.
Do not plant outdoors until after the fear of frost and when warmer nighttime temperatures are present (above 55 degrees).
Remember to check houseplants weekly for insects, like mealy bugs, spider mites and scales which are very active now.
Remember not to over-water, only water when the soil is dry to touch, and use room temperature water. It is a good idea to mix a gallon of water soluble fertilizer at half rate and use this each time you water from now on.
It is also a good idea to provide humidity to your plants by misting them or placing them in a warm shower spray in your tub.
Take advantage of warmer days by pruning fruit trees, berry bushes, and even deciduous trees and shrubs now. Remember to prune such that you are creating a vase shape with branches growing up and outward, using the 10 and 2 o’clock rule, taking away any branch lower than that of those on a clock.
Prune any inward growing branches, anything weak or diseased, and never take more than a third of the total plant mass. Check for scale, ( especially on Crape Myrtles, Hollies, and Euonymus).
Spray all fruit trees, roses and deciduous trees and shrubs with a dormant spray of 2 ounces of Horticultural Oil and 2 ounces of Liquid Copper Fungicide in a sprayer with one gallon of water.
This will kill most over-wintering insects and diseases. To kill Crape Myrtle scales it is advised to use a 2-percent mix, (about 5 tablespoons for gallon of water).
Use the same mixture for Spotted lantern fly egg masses, as well. Be sure to spray the trunks until they drip and apply only when air temperatures will remain above 40 degrees for a 24-hour period.
It is also recommended to apply another application for both of these pests again in two to three weeks, as to make sure you get good coverage.
Remember, the spray must coat the scale insects to suffocate them, so spray every part of the infested area.
You may also want to consider using a systemic spray later in the season to make sure you have eradicated the insects.
Happy Gardening
(Editor’s note: Ken Morgan is the owner of Robin’s Nest Floral and Garden Center in Easton, Md.)
