by Laurie Keit

Photos: Laurie Keit

February 2011 — Gardening in February involves sowing seeds, planting bulbs and bare-root stock, and pruning.

It is also a time of unpredictable weather patterns and possible frost. Coastal gardeners face special challenges from salt-laden air, high winds and intermittent sunshine.

If you’re doing some garden re- design this month — as many do this time of year — you may want to incorporate cold frames and raised beds into that new design. If possible, I recommend gardening in raised beds — above 18 inches in height — lined with ¾-inch galvanized hardware cloth to prevent gopher damage and drainage problems. Trees are best planted directly in the ground, but bulbs and roses are great in raised beds.

Sowing Seeds

Seeds for warm-season annuals (geraniums, zinnias, impatiens, salvias, marigolds, petunias, celosias, etc.) and vegetables (bush and pole beans, squashes, peppers, tomatoes, melons) can be sown indoors or out, in a variety of containers. Because such plantings will be killed by frost, I recommend using cold frames to protect seeds and seedlings from harsh weather and a wide range of pests. Cold frames can be purchased online or built from scratch. Seedlings can then be transplanted into raised beds, or into the ground, later in the year.

Planting Bulbs

Summer-blooming bulbs — such as dahlias, cannas, tuberose begonias, callas and gladioluses — should be planted now. Work 2 inches of compost into the soil before planting the bulbs; fertilize with bulb food once the bulbs break through the ground and again after they finish blooming. Each bulb type has different planting depth recommendations. Be sure to check the individual requirements before planting to prevent rot.

Planting Bare-root Roses

Invest in grade 1 roses, which will produce in the first year and be less susceptible to disease. Plant in the sunniest location you have or in containers on casters that you can easily move as sun patterns change. Soak the roots overnight and then plant them in a mixture of half soil and half compost, mounded into a cone. Keep the planting depth below the bud union and use ground redwood as mulch.

Planting Bare-root Fruit Trees and Citrus

The bare-root season ends on Feb. 28. Buy early for the best selection and follow planting instructions. When planting, face the graft union to the north and keep it 6 inches above grade.

Pruning

Evergreen shrubs should be pruned so the base is slightly wider than the top. The idea is to expose the leaves to sunlight. Winter-flowering shrubs and vines should be pruned after they bloom, and flowering fruit trees should be pruned when in bloom.

Happy Gardening!

Laurie Keit is the owner of Seasonal Celebrations — a garden, flower and event design company. Visit her website at www.seasonalcelebrations.com.