Suggestions for February Gardening…

* It’s time to apply dormant oil to fruit bearing plants and trees such as peaches, apples, grapes, etc.

 

Also apply dormant oil to Crape Myrtles, deciduous ornamental trees and roses. Dormant oil smothers over-wintering insects and should be sprayed when the temperature is between 40 and 75 degrees.

* Prune Crape Myrtles lightly on the top to shape and to eliminate the old seed pods. Remove any suckers, crossing branches and also shoots growing toward the center of the tree. Very light pruning will help the tree bloom more and to produce larger blooms. The flowers will bloom from the new wood.

 

* Apply systemic insecticide around Crape Myrtles, azaleas, roses, etc. A systemic insecticide is a pesticide that is absorbed by the shrubs and trees internally that helps control aphids and other insects.

 

* Trim ornamental grasses such as pampas grass, maiden grass, etc. Trim clumps down to approximately 8-12” above the ground (depending upon the variety of the grass) and clean up around base.

 

* Trim roses when the buds begin to grow or swell. Remove any canes that are discolored at the base (gray or brown). Cut canes by 1/3 or ½ but leave them at different heights to make a more attractive bush. Remove any leaves that have fallen under the bush and dispose. If we have a dry winter, please remember to water your plants and lawn at least once a week if it does not rain.