Although the garden gives the appearance of dormancy, the gardener’s tasks do not diminish in winter. The duties of January and February are pivotal to the success of the spring and summer garden.

By the time you complete the checklist of chores, the vernal equinox will have arrived.

• Plant shade and flowering trees, hardy woody vines, and ground covers in well prepared holes or beds. Water newly planted specimens thoroughly.

• Propagate shrubs and vines with dormant cuttings in an outdoor coldframe or rooting bed sheltered from cold wind and full sun. Shrubs such as holly, althea, camellia, and oakleaf hydrangea root well. Cuttings made in January will have rooted by April.

• In January order flower, herb, and vegetable seed packets.

• Organize seed packets to create a sowing calendar.

• By early February sow herb and vegetable seeds indoors in cell packs or seed trays. Record expected germination dates.

Fertilize winter annuals every two weeks. • Plant asparagus crowns and onion sets in February.

• Rake leaves from lawns since they can smother dormant grasses.

• Examine stored summer bulbs for rot and evidence of diseases. Discard diseased ones and order new bulbs for summer.

• Take a soil sample to the county extension office at Sandhills for a test. Apply lime if recommended.

• Clean and sharpen all garden tools. Purchase new tools and gloves.

• Apply dormant horticultural oil sprays on small trees and shrubs to smother overwintering insect eggs, aphids, mites, and scale insects on leaves, stems, trunks, and branches.

• February is the month for pruning trees and summer flowering shrubs and vines. Do not prune spring–flowering shrubs and vines until after they finish blooming.

Remove spent camellia blossoms from the ground to reduce disease problems. • Cut back ornamental grasses in February.

• Prune stone fruit trees like apple, cherry, and peach, berry bushes, and grape vines.

• Add compost, aged manure, and organic matter to vegetable garden beds.

• Fertilize winter annuals like pansies and violas every two weeks. By late February fertilize perennials to supply nutrients for new growth.

• Start the 2010 garden journal as winter honeysuckle, crocus, and apricot bloom.

• Visit botanical gardens to see which plants look best in winter.
Order flower, herb, and vegetable seeds in January.
Start a 2010 garden journal.
Take a soil sample to the county extension office to receive pH and nutrient recommendations.