Unlike the rest of the country that shares our latitude, February is usually the kickoff of spring for gardeners here in the Rogue Valley. Though there might be a few gorgeous days (or weeks), don’t forget that there’s frost danger until April. Here’s what you should be doing this month in your yard and garden (WAHOO! Let the fun begin!!).

Planting	Sow for Transplanting	Transplant Plants	Fertilize and Prune
Trees	Cabbage, 5-7 weeks	Trees	Grape vines
Shrubs	Parsley, 10-12 weeks	Shrubs	Asparagus
Peas (weather permitting)	Lettuce, 4 weeks	Asparagus roots	Rhubarb
Arugula	Broccoli, 5-7 weeks	Perennial herbs	Overwintered veggies
Fava beans	Cauliflower	Horseradish
Peppergrass/garden cress	Chinese cabbage, 5-7 weeks	Lettuce (late Feb.)
Mustard/turnip greens	Endive, 6 weeks	Onion sets
Onions	Escarole, 6 weeks	Strawberries
Radishes	Leeks, 10-12 weeks
Spinach	Lettuce, 10-12 weeks
	Onions, 8 weeks
	Oriental greens, 4-6 weeks
	Pak choi

Photo: Stock Exchange

Where the flowers grow:

Plant those new roses you've been wanting, and prune roses that are planted already.

Prune your clematis, Virginia creeper, and other ornamental vines while they’re still dormant, so they’re bursting with energy when they sprout.

Gardens:

Prune and trellis-trailing berries.

Till up that garden for later planting if your soil is dry enough. (Test this by sticking your trowel in the dirt and pulling some up. If it crumbles through your fingers, it's dry enough.)

Keep an eye out for weeds and start weeding if necessary.

Trees:

Get your bare root fruit trees and deciduous shrubs in the ground.

Prune any fruit tress, deciduous summer-blooming shrubs and trees as well.

Check with your nursery regarding spraying schedule for fruit trees.

Lawns:

Fertilize your lawn this month to get it moving back toward full health and to promote growth.

Give a light mow if necessary to get your grass even.

Pre-garden:

Start seeds for summertime flowers inside. Master Gardener Carla Hutchins recommends using a heat mat to increase your success rate. Think zinnias, impatiens, asters, marigolds....start 'em from seed and save yourself some green.

Resources:

If you're here with us in the valley, the Ashland Garden Club has more information on what to do in February and March.