FEBRUARY

Start seeds for cool weather vegetables and some annual flowers during February!

If you don’t want to start seeds, you can pre-order your spring plants at www.gardenshackshop.com.

If you have not gotten one yet, get a soil test. The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension can provide you (for a small fee) with a kit and test results for the lawn and garden. This is an invaluable tool that will give you recommendations on how to amend your soil in preparation for spring planting.  Click here for the information.

You can plant trees, shrubs, bulbs, and large perennials whenever the ground isn’t frozen. 

Do any necessary maintenance on your mowers, trimmers, and hand tools while you do not need to be using them.

Provide food and water to our area’s wintering birds.  Look up what the birds you have, or want to attract, like to eat and feed accordingly.

Water your houseplants as necessary.  Heating systems can dry them out.

This is a great time to build raised beds, window boxes, or to find unique containers for plantings.  Always be sure your containers have drainage. Here are some unique container ideas.

Check trees and flat surfaces for gypsy moth and spotted lanternfly egg masses. Here are pictures and more information.

Remember that ticks can live through the winter and can be active any time the temperature is above freezing.  Take necessary precautions when outside.  

If it snows, brush snow off your shrubs and trees as they can get damaged by heavy loads.

Stay positive because spring will be here next month!