Mom Nature could also be taking a nap this time of 12 months, however that doesn’t imply you may. February brings its share of difficult chores for gardeners, many referring to the climate.

If snow cowl is gentle in your space, you might want so as to add additional mulch, reminiscent of a thick layer of straw or evergreen branches, to guard panorama vegetation. Simply be sure to don’t put straw round woody vegetation if mice are close by as they’ll nest within the straw and strip the bark off the vegetation, which frequently leads to the loss of life of vegetation. You can also place wood teepees over valuable perennials or windbreaks round timber and shrubs for cover.

If snowfall is heavy, hold your roof raked between snow storms to forestall issues with ice construct up that will not solely harm the roof however the panorama vegetation rising underneath the eaves. When raking the roof, attempt to not pull that load of snow instantly onto panorama vegetation beneath the eves because the drive of the falling snow can crush vegetation and break branches until already lined by a deep layer of pure snowfall. Once more, teepee-shaped wood frames could also be your greatest safety.

To stop damage to vegetation from the settling snow, gently scoop the snow away from the plant with a shovel. Then, with gloved fingers, fastidiously take away the snow from the branches.

When shoveling your walks and driveway, put the snow in your perennial plantings as this can be a good insulator. Simply keep away from, if potential, piling a number of ft of snow on them when plowing since it is going to take so lengthy to soften in spring. And don’t dump snow on them if dangerous salt is blended in.

Pay additional consideration to the wants of winter birds. In case you are feeding them, examine feeders each few days and fill as wanted. Black oil solar flower seed and white millet will entice cardinals, goldfinches, black-capped chickadees, purple finches, white-breasted nuthatches, and different Vermont birds to your yard. Corn on the ear, shelled, or cracked is a favourite of many different species together with blue jays and mourning doves. Put out suet muffins for the woodpeckers.

Don’t neglect to scrub the feeders periodically as moldy seed could make birds ailing. Flush out previous seed and particles then scrub with a combination of water and chlorine bleach (one ounce of bleach per gallon of water). Rinse properly and permit to dry earlier than including new seed.

In between cleanings, when refilling hanging feeders, shake to dislodge compacted seed. Dump out moist clumps of previous seed. Sweep hulls off platform feeders day by day.

If potential, present a supply of water for the birds. A heated birdbath is good. Buy one with an automated shut-off valve or warmth biking on-off change, which is able to stop harm to the birdbath if goes dry. Use a grounded, three pronged outlet to forestall the opportunity of electrocution. Keep away from birdbaths which have an uncovered heating aspect as this might burn the birds’ ft in the event that they land on it. Putting a flat piece of shale over the heating aspect (even a lined one) will present a heat rock for birds to perch on to relaxation or drink and can stop any unintended damage.

To stop cats, raccoons, squirrels, and different animals from knocking over the birdbath when making an attempt to get a drink, be sure the bathtub is securely located. In case your birdbath has a hole base, you may fill it with sand to forestall tipping, for instance.

This Valentine’s Day neglect the standard bouquet of roses, and provides your partner or particular buddy a present that retains on giving. Order a rose bush from a mail order catalog or your native backyard heart with a supply date at planting time. A few purple ones to think about are Champlain, one of many Explorer collection out of Canada, which is hardy within the hotter elements of Vermont, and Mister Lincoln, a basic purple hybrid, which isn’t hardy in many of the state however would make an incredible rose and shrub for the season. There are various extra hardy shrub ones to select from, so ask the specialists at your native full service backyard heart. Or think about giving your particular somebody a lilac bush, rhododendron, or different easy-to-grow decorative shrub?

For condominium dwellers, select a flowering potted plant like an azalea or cyclamen. An African violet will be the excellent alternative for an workplace colleague as its compact measurement makes it appropriate for a desk or window sill. It additionally thrives underneath synthetic gentle. However no matter you choose, make sure you embrace a card with directions for care.

After all, for those who want to offer minimize flowers, you aren’t restricted to long-stemmed purple roses. Tea roses are a pleasant various, and rather less costly if finances is a priority. You’ll be able to organize them within the ordinary Valentine Day colours plus cream, lavender, and peach.

Or give flowers with a coded message. White roses stand for love and sweetness, purple ones for ardour, and yellow for friendship. Yellow tulips imply you’re hopelessly in love. Need to let somebody know that you’re a secret admirer? Then ship gardenias, which characterize secret love.

Ask your florist to create an association of purple, white, and pink blooms, reminiscent of purple tulips, white carnations, and pink roses, in a pretty vase. Or go for one thing extra unique, like a bouquet of freesia, alstroemeria, or purple anthurium accented with shiny inexperienced foliage. Simply anticipate to pay just a little extra for these extra uncommon, out-of-season flowers.

If the recipient is a gardener, say “Blissful Valentine’s Day” with a small wicker basket full of packets of vegetable seeds, gardening gloves, and different garden-related gadgets–row markers, for instance. Or give a certificates for a therapeutic massage–for use throughout planting time after “gardening” muscular tissues get labored for the primary time since final summer season.

Though it’s nonetheless too early to start out most seeds indoors –exceptions embrace begonias and pansies, which take a very long time to develop–for those who’re within the temper to develop one thing, plant a mini-orchard in your window sill. Simply don’t be too upset if the timber fail to supply good fruit. These indoor gardens are extra for leisure than for meals.

Plant recent apple seeds in a well-drained soil combine. Water often, present loads of solar, and repot as essential to accommodate development. Hopefully, by early summer season your tiny timber needs to be able to plant outside.

February can also be a very good time to do some cyber-gardening. One of the best place to start out is with one of many Web serps like www. google.com . Simply kind in your topic, and click on on any of the websites listed to learn extra in your chosen matter. It is a good approach to study new flowers, fruits, and greens; “journey” to lots of the fabulous gardens on the earth; or get concepts to your subsequent backyard. To study extra about perennials, go to Perry’s Perennial Pages at http: // www.uvm.edu/~cross/perry/

If you wish to “discuss” to different gardeners, be a part of a dialogue record. Try Backyard Spiders Internet http: //backyardgardener.com/ the place you’ll not solely discover hyperlinks to dialogue teams however to plant databases, societies and associations, and extra Web sources on gardening.

Different actions for February: make plans now to attend the Vermont Flower Present to be held the primary weekend in March on the Sheraton Resort and Convention Heart, S. Burlington; purchase a brand new houseplant–one thing you’ve by no means tried to develop earlier than; replenish on provides and dangle develop lights for beginning seeds subsequent month.

PROTECTING PLANTS AND OTHER FEBRUARY GARDENING TIPS

By Dr. Leonard Perry and Lisa Halvorsen n Extension Nursery and Greenhouse Crops Specialist College of Vermont