Join gardening courses and workshops. Whether or not you’re searching for inspiration or direct how-to information, February is the time to enroll in courses and workshops all through the area. These could be in particular person or on-line. Native nurseries, backyard golf equipment, and grasp gardeners at their regional public gardens supply courses of every kind and for all talent ranges. Some locations to test embody:
Clear and sharpen your backyard instruments. When you didn’t clear, sharpen, and correctly retailer your instruments on the finish of the season, now could be the time to take action. Benefit from a heat, sunny day to wash shovels, hoes, rakes, and different instruments. Use a backyard hose and wire brush to take away any particles. You’ll be able to disinfect with a diluted bleach answer. In case your instrument has a wooden deal with, rub it with linseed oil. For pruners, snips, and loppers, use WD-40 and metal wool to wash off particles and sap. Then use a sharpening file or stone—submitting at a few 30° angle. Retailer all instruments in a dry location out of the weather. You’ll be thrilled you took the time to maintain your instruments in your first day of spring cleanup!
Take inventory of seeds. Earlier than ordering new seeds, stock your present provide. You should definitely test the “packed for” date. If seeds are greater than a few years outdated, test the germination fee by inserting just a few seeds in a moist paper towel for just a few days to see what sprouts. If the germination fee is low, plan to overseed or purchase new seeds.
Be sure to have sufficient provides for the spring. If you are in planning mode, test your quantities of different backyard provides as effectively. It’s possible you’ll want extra of your favourite natural fertilizer for the veggie backyard, or you could have forgotten that you just used the final of the twine, or chances are you’ll want extra plant helps for the brand new vegetation you added within the fall. Create your record now so you could have every little thing readily available when the season kicks into excessive gear.
Feed our feathered buddies. Latest research have reported a drastic decline in hen populations throughout North America. It has been a snowy yr at decrease elevations within the Mountain West, and lots of seed sources within the backyard have been coated by snow for a number of weeks. Now’s the time to assist out birds that overwinter with us by offering extra seed. For extra info on feeding birds in our area, go to Audubon Rockies or Fowl Conservancy of the Rockies.
Purchase new houseplants. Go to your native nurseries that received new deliveries of houseplants in early winter. The earthy scent and humidity of their greenhouses is a balm for chilly, windy winter days. Taking dwelling a brand new houseplant will add new life to your own home whereas reminding you that spring is coming.
—Michelle Provaznik is government director of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins, Colorado.
