February can be an interesting month in Texas. The weather conditions can range from feeling like spring to cold, sometimes in an instant. This can leave many of us wondering what we are supposed to do to keep their garden thriving.
In fact, our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals know that February is the ideal time to prep for spring and protect your landscape. Here are 7 simple tips to help you garden with success.
TIP #1: PREP YOUR SOIL FOR SPRING
This summer, we had record breaking heat and our soils have felt the effects. Freezing weather and hot, dry conditions deplete our soil of vital nutrients that our lawn and plants need to thrive. A well-prepared soil is the key to gardening success.
What does your soil need? Find out with a MySoil™ Soil Test Kit.
MySoil™ is a start-to-finish solution for every gardener. They combined predictive soil technologies with an easy customer experience that assists in improving soil and plant health. The kit comes with a sample jar, soil scoop, and a pre-paid envelope for mailing.
After you register online, collect your soil. If multiple areas of your garden are being tested, we recommend using separate tests for an accurate analysis. Drop your sample in the mail and your results will be available on the MySoil™ app within 6-8 business days. You will be provided with sample results, fertilizer recommendations, and a list of recommended products available at your local Calloway’s or Cornelius! You can then give your landscape exactly what it needs without all the guesswork.
TIP #2: UPDATE YOUR CONTAINER GARDENS
Revive your container gardens with fresh and vibrant cool season blooms. Container gardens are an easy way to spice up your outdoor areas, even during the winter months. Plus, they can be easily moved to shelter if Mother Nature sends a chill our way.
Geraniums are popular early season blooms. They are easy to grow and create a beautiful and dynamic accent to any creation. Geraniums enjoy full sun to partial shade, and they even make for wonderful cut flowers.
Snapdragons are another cool season favorite. These classic flowers are full of color. They produce clusters of blooms on tall, sturdy stalks. They come in soft shades of reds, pinks, yellows, and whites and they are a great choice for pollinator-friendly gardens.
Take your container gardens to the next level with premium pottery. At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have a wide selection of different styles, designs, and sizes of pottery to complete your container gardens on your front porch or patios.
Keep your flowers thriving with Calloway’s Premium Flower Food. Use as directed and give your blooms an extra boost for vibrant color all season long!
TIP #3: WEED CONTROL FOR YOUR LAWN
Ready for a healthy green lawn this spring? Start by tackling unwelcomed weeds now with pre-emergent control. A pre-emergent prevents weed seeds from sprouting and now is the time to prevent warm weather weeds from germinating. Weeds can compete with your lawn for light, water, and nutrients.
Here in North Texas, we recommend using Bonide® Weed Beater Complete. It kills the weeds in your lawn, including crabgrass and many varieties of broadleaf weeds. It also contains a pre-emergent, preventing new weeds from germinating in your lawn.
You can also try Bonide® Crabgrass & Weed Preventer for a flawless lush green lawn! This weed control solution contains Dimension, a selective turf and landscape herbicide that prevents the emergence of undesirable weeds. For those of you in the Houston area, another great product for your lawn is The Andersons® Barricade Pro®.
For direct control of stubborn weeds, Bonide® Weed Beater® Ultra is a ready-to-use solution that kills over 200 broadleaf weeds. It has a proven cool-weather performance and rain fast once it dries.
Bonide® Weed Beater Southern Lawns gives excellent results for controlling 120 broadleaf weeds and can be used on St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysia, Bahia, Bent, and Centipede. It is ready-to-spray and easy to use with the hose-end sprayer. Simply, connect to your garden hose, turn on the water, and spray.
TIP #4: PLANT COOL SEASON EDIBLES
Growing your own food offers many benefits to your health and our environment. Plus, it will make your meals taste extra fresh and flavorful. Planting fruits and berries now allows the roots time to get established while the temperatures are cooler.
Fruit trees are one of the most rewarding ways to garden. Once the trees establish, you can expect a delicious supply of homegrown fruit year after year. Explore our fresh selection now like Peach, Apple, Fig, Pear, and more!
For more information about our fruit tree collection, visit our blog here!
Berries are another sweet option to plant now. Raspberries, Blueberries, and Blackberries are delicious choices that don’t take up too much space in your garden. Berries are ideal for planting in containers as they need a more acidic soil.
Fresh herbs are also a great choice for this time of year. You can create your own indoor kitchen herb garden or create a fragrant outdoor garden. Home-grown herbs are full of essential vitamins and minerals, and you will always have fresh flavor on hand. Barbeque Rosemary is a popular cool season herb with narrow green needle-like foliage. It has a great flavor and aroma.
TIP #5: PRUNE YOUR LANDSCAPE
Cooler weather means it is time for pruning. Take some time and walk around your outdoor areas. Examine any trees and shrubs that need to be addressed. Look at your trees and prune any dead or damaged branches. Roses need pruning to encourage new growth. Remove half of the top growth by reducing the height and remove any weak canes.
Shape and control the height of your evergreen shrubs and prune your established Peach and Plum trees before the buds begin to swell. Remove the vertical shoots and maintain the bowl-shaped habit.
Need tools? We are here to help! Explore our selection of Corona® Bypass Pruners and Loppers to help you maintain your landscape with ease.
TIP #6: COLD WEATHER PROTECTION
In February, it is important to always be prepared for unexpected weather. Hard Freezes can happen at any moment and your plants need protection.
You will need a Dewitt N-Sulate Frost Protection Blanket. This 1.5 oz polypropylene fabric is formulated to resist UV degradation and allows air and water to pass through the fabric. It is designed to protect flowering annuals, bedding plants, and new trees from the severe cold and freezing temperatures. This fabric installs easily and is reusable.
TIP #7: START AN INDOOR GARDEN
More time indoors doesn’t mean less time with plants! Fill your home with the gorgeous foliage of indoor plants. Brighten cold and dreary days with the vibrant colors and the many benefits of houseplants. Indoor plants help purify the air, and they create a lovely accent to your space.
They are easy to care for and easy to maintain. Sansevieria, known as Snake Plant, is a popular choice for homes, offices, and dorms. The upright habit and various shades of green add color and texture to indoor living spaces. It is ideal for entryways, bathrooms, and empty spaces of your home.
Succulents and Cacti are great options for beginners. Their smaller size is ideal for bookshelves and tabletops, and there are many different styles and varieties.
Succulents, or Echeveria, add stunning color to container gardens and terrariums. They require minimal moisture, but just like a Cactus, they can withstand being dry. The Grafted Color Top Cactus is a colorful oddity created by grafting the colorful plant top to a green, compatible rootstock.
SHOP WITH EASE
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have everything you need for your February garden! Visit us today and explore our entire collection of seasonal blooms, indoor plants, pottery, and so much more! Shop our neighborhood stores or shop online now!
Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
