With winter in full swing, it’s easy to forget about our gardens – but fear not, there’s still time to do a few things before spring arrives. Our Lafayette landscape design team has put together a checklist of tasks you can do this month to get your garden ready for warmer weather. So whether you have a green thumb or not, be sure to check out our February garden recommendations!
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February Garden Recommendations
Prepare Your Garden For Summer
February is the perfect time to prepare your garden for summer – the rains during this season means seedlings get established more easily! If you need help redesigning your planting area, Lafayette landscape architects near me can help. Local experts know exactly which plant varieties thrive in Northern California and all the microclimates in the Bay Area.
- Plant cool-season annual flowers. Marigolds, poppies, pansies, snapdragons, violets, and bachelor buttons are all great choices that will bloom throughout the spring and summer.
- Fruits and Vegetables. Sow seeds for warm-season vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. These will take a little longer to germinate, so be patient!
- Start planting herbs. Chives, basil, lavender, rosemary, and thyme are all great choices for beginner gardeners! Start these indoors, then once they have sprouted, transplant them to your garden.
Maintain Soil and Systems
When February rolls around, performing some basic maintenance tasks such as fertilizing your soil and inspecting your irrigation system can make a huge difference in your garden come summer.
- Check Your Irrigation System. Make sure your irrigation system is functioning properly and that all the sprinklers are in the correct places. If you have been receiving regular rainfall, this may be a good month to skip watering your garden entirely – allowing the rain to continue nurturing your plants! However, if it’s still dry or you’re seeing signs of drought stress (such as yellowing leaves), you’ll need to water your plants as usual.
- Fertilize Your Soil. Give your garden a boost by fertilizing the soil with a organic fertilizer such as compost, aged manure, or worm castings. This will help improve its water retention and nutrient density, which promotes healthy growth for your plants.
- Prune Trees and Shrubs. Pruning trees and shrubs now will help them grow more vigorously in the spring and summer. Make sure to remove any dead or diseased branches, and trim any lanky or overgrown branches back to their natural shape. They will grow new branches in the spring and summer!
Refresh and Redesign Neglected Areas
If you have any areas of your garden that have been neglected, February is the perfect time to refresh them before the season of outdoor living and dining! Add new mulch, plant some new flowers or vegetables, or even install a new bench or birdbath.
Enjoy your beautiful garden all summer long with these simple tasks – and be sure to contact a landscape architect near me for a professional design that will perfectly fit your needs!
Talk to Our Lafayette Landscape Design Team Today!
If you’re ready to have a beautiful garden next summer, don’t hesitate to contact Meadowbrook Design. We will be happy to walk you through any new features you would like us to install, recommend specific plant varieties for your area, and discuss the best layout for your space.