Winters are short in the Southeastern United States. And February is the time to start those outdoor chores that are necessary to get the garden ready for spring.
If you have been thinking about transplanting anything, now is the time, before the blistering heat of summer makes root development impossible. Also, it's time to prune, especially all of those beautiful Roses, Crape Myrtles and Butterfly Bushes.
Lawns should be treated for emerging weeds, and overseeded as early as possible. Vegetable gardens should have organic materials added and tilled deep into the soil. and fresh soil added for this year's plantings.
Don't do anything to you azaleas and rhododendrons until after they bloom, as the buds are already set and fertilizer will cause the flowers to burn off into an unpleasant shade of brown.
If you wait until the warm weather arrives, it will be too late. Gardening not only makes your property more attractive, it is an endeavor that exercises the body and rejuvenates the weary spirit!
So don't put it off, why not get started this weekend?
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I think it will be in the 60's this weekend in the Charlotte, NC area. It will be a nice change. It was 18 this morning. I'm hoping spring comes early! I'm ready to see more green. Thanks for your outdoor tips.
We enjoy the outside and gardening. We won't be able plant for awhile and we do have spring fever.
Richard,
I just mentioned to my husband that he should get started on the vegetable garden.
Last year our 4 year old grandson helped till it up.
Wendy...
We are going to have a warmer weekend too, and that's what got me thinking about getting those outdoor chores started! THX
Mark...
I always use income tax day (April 15) as the earliest day to plant frost sensitive annuals. Thanks for the comment.
Richard,
Getting your gardening done in the southeast is much like taking care of your business.
Richard, It's in the 30's this morning in South Florida. No going outside for us wimps. It's hibernation time for a few days.
Hey...the background in that picture looks familiar?
I'd love to get started back out at my house on my yard....it's suffered from my lack of attention the past year or so......will have to time block a few days to work on it. I've also got a fish pond I'm going to have to start over from lack of cleaning.....ah, projects!
Brenda...
I always add a lot of organic material in the fall, and compost in the early spring! Thanks for the comment!
Don...
Yes it is my friend!
Gabe...
Sorry, it's supposed to warm up by Sunday so get those gardening tools ready! lol
The rewards of a garden, be it vegatable or flowers, it so much more than the few hours one puts into it on a cool february day. This weekend should be perfect here to get a bit done!
Richard, I can only dream of gardening. I can't even see the bushes in my yard due to the foot of snow that fell on Wednesday. Oh, and that was on top of the 2 feet we already had :(
O.K. Don't rub it in. My crocus haven't even peeked out yet. I'm planning on planting some seeds today just to get something, anything going.
We got up to 22 degrees yesterday.
Not yet.
Richard I think I will wait until the weekend, when it is supposed to be in the 60's, but thanks for the reminder.
My garden has been suffering for the past few years but NO MORE! I can get tips from a pro here. My tomatoes and jalapenos have been a challenge. When should I plant them? Also, short stalked colorful flowers facing the south and getting full sun all day. What kind do you suggest? (It is near a walk way).
It is also a good time to get a "maintenance" inspection. I know many of those "older" homes and "younger" homeowners in Newnan would benefit from it. There is nothing like proper maintenance practices to protect, dare I say increase the value of your investment!
Richard, Richard, Richard. It's in the teens here and we can't begin to garden until some time in April. Can't plant annuals until after Mother's Day. I can throw Max's marigold seeds down in late April, early May, if I get the mulching done first. Ahhh. So much work. Can't wait!
Mel, those are questions for the Dear Richard column!!
Susan, I have missed the Dear Richard column for at least two weeks. I need help where I can get it. Gardening is fun when it is not 110 outside.
It's still a little too cold here to start the gardening, but it's nice to hear there is a hint of Spring on the horizon.
Thom...
Yes indeed, that's midtown Atlanta in the background! Now get out there and get that work done!
Gail...
It's actually the time we need to get going, another week or two and it will be too late! THX
Barb...
But you have the Rock and Roll Hall of fame and Cedar Point! It's a trade-off for the lake effect snow! lol
Lenn...
We run about a month ahead of you on the gardening calendar. It gives us less of a rest in the winter!
Mike...
It's time here in Georgia, we need to get going!
Mel...
I like perennials in full sun. The wild species roses are insanely popular now, as well as Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) and Purple Coneflower. (Echineacea)
You can NEVER go wrong with Lantana, it loves the sun and blooms all year!
I also like succulents in full sun. hey, I'll do a blog post about this! lol
I was going to copy, past and print your response. I will just wait for the post!
We are getting close to that time again aren't we? Hot weather is right around the corner.
The official start to spring is out about six weeks Richard and in some areas of the south it is warming up. Got to watch for those late freezes though.
Well Richard where was this info last year. Now I know why my azaleas did not bloom pretty. And also thanks for the reminder about my crepe myrtles. Last year I pruned them late and that caused them to not be as bushy also. And the weather man says this is going to be a beautiful weekend for getting these things done.
You are right Richard...Even up here in 'God's' country, we are planning our gardens. I have secured a good place to get old compossed manure. Trees are ordered and most of the seeds. The garden site is planned...I just need 40 degrees to get started!:)
Yes Richard rub it in about how nice the weather gets down south (just kidding), Here in NH I will spend my weekend shoveling snow off my roof and breaking the ice dams that have formed, we are suppose to get up to a balmy 42 degrees over the weekend!!!
Richard, STOP, STOP, please stop. Minnesota is still, except for today, going between 0 and 17, It drives me crazy to think of daffodils and hyacinths and crocus right now. I'm still looking at my poinsettia and amaryllis from Christmas...waiting and breathing and hoping for spring. I hate Georgia right now. Just rub it in.......
Richard,
There is still snow on the ground here... But the weather is warming up.
Ann Hayden wanting spring in Wildwood, Missouri
Maybe I could spread the pre-emergent crab grass fertilizer on the 9 inches of snow on the ground. What do I use to spread the fertilizer a snow shovel ?
You must have read my mind. I have a bunch of bulbs that should already have been put out. Sunday evening I will be digging in the dirt!
I was thinking about that today. I still have fall flowers that need to be trimmed down and plan to plant new spring/summer flowers very soon. Fun, fun, fun.