February

Tamp down any young plants that are pushing up from freezing and thawing.

•    If soil has been freezing and thawing, check newly planted perennials and shrubs. If root balls have “heaved” up out of soil to expose roots, tamp them back down.
•    Prune fruit trees and apply dormant oil during above-40-degree day.
•    Take cuttings of spring bloomers such as cherry and magnolia and place in water in a vase for forced indoor blooms.
•    If you stored last year’s geraniums, take cuttings, water and put under lights or in a bright spot.
•    Start seeds inside of lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, chard and most perennial flowers. Also a few early tomatoes if you use Wall-o-Waters or similar freeze protectors for April planting.
•    Prune off any broken or storm-damaged branches as soon as you notice them.
•    Reapply Wilt-Pruf or similar anti-desiccant one last time to broadleaf evergreens during above-40-degree day if you’ve had winter windburn of leaf edges.
•    Reapply deer repellents.
•    Take advantage of any nice days and thawed ground to edge your garden beds.
•    Bring any remaining potted forced bulbs inside or take them out of the refrigerator to begin growing.
•    Inspect stored cannas, dahlias, caladium and other tender bulbs. Toss any that are rotting.
•    Get your landscaping game plan lined up and plant lists finalized so you can hit the ground running at winter’s end.