Spring will be here quicker than you may think. Time definitely flies, though this winter may have you feeling like it will last forever. In your mind, you know that is not true, but in your heart-of-hearts, winter seems like it will never end!
We’ve got just the solution to urging your heart into spring, right now! There are a number of tasks that you can complete during the month of February to get ready for the spring planting and gardening season.
Take Stock Of Your Garden
Once the snow has begun to melt and you can see the soil in your flower or vegetable garden spots, you can see what condition your garden plots are in and what needs to be done to prepare your gardens for the spring planting season.
- Rake the leaves and branches away and add them to your compost pile or dispose of them.
*ProTip: Leaves can make a great mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and ultimately feed your plants.
- Smooth the soil with a garden or leaf rake, breaking up any large clumps left after last year’s garden faded and remove any rocks that will be in the way.
- Start a gardening journal, which is the ideal way to keep track from year to year on where and what was planted, the success of each variety of plant, the yield of your vegetable plants, and any problems you had with diseases or pests and the steps you took to deal with it.
- Design your garden spaces by making a quick sketch (referring back to your garden journal from last season), or making a new sketch, trying to remember where what was planted last season so that you can rotate your crops.
*ProTip: Rotating crops with plants that require different nutrients and may experience different diseases or pests will make your vegetable harvest more bountiful.
- Include plants for natural pest control. Rather than depending upon harmful chemicals that can leach into the ground water and eventually make it back to your home or hurt the environment, plan to make use of natural pest control. You will be doing your part to protect your family and the environment and will also be beautifying your surroundings. It’s a win-win! You can find some valuable information on those plants for natural pest control here.
Take Stock Of Your Seed Starting Supplies
There are many vegetables that are best started indoors, rather than being sown directly into your garden. Now is the time to ensure that you have everything necessary to start your seeds indoors.
- Do you have enough seed starting pots? This may be in the form of seed trays, little Dixie cups, yogurt cups, or egg cartons you have saved. Be sure they have a hole in the bottom for drainage in case you accidentally overwater your seeds or seedlings. You may want to make sure there is a tray or some kind of reservoir under your seeding pots so water does not do damage to your windowsill or table where your seeds may be germinating.
- Do you have a plastic dome? Or a plastic covering to put over your seeds until they have sprouted? Humidity is a necessity for seeds to germinate. A plastic dome or covering will mimic the effects of a greenhouse by ensuring the humidity is high. You can remove it once your seeds have sprouted.
- Do you have seeds? Now is the time to check on your seeds and ensure that you have enough viable seeds for those vegetables or flowers you want to plant. Seeds will most likely be good for 2 years if stored properly, though the germination rate may be a bit lower if more than 1 year old. Seeds should be stored in an airtight container away from direct sunlight and high humidity, with the ideal temperature being between 32° and 41°F. Store with powdered milk, toasted rice, or small pieces of shredded newspaper to take up any excess moisture.
*ProTip: Save those little silica packets that come in a number of purchased items to store in each container with your seeds.
- Do you have a seed warming mat? This can be an invaluable tool to ensure a high germination rate of your seeds. In the spring especially, you can never be sure if an early spring storm may take out the power for a few hours or a number of days. Consider purchasing a USB-operated seed warming mat so that you can plug it into your laptop to keep your germinating seeds heated in that event.
- Do you have good quality seeding mix? This can make a huge difference in how readily your seeds germinate. It is lighter than regular potting soil and is often amended with food specifically for your seeds and seedlings.
- Do you have a grow light? Grow lights are relatively inexpensive and can be worth their weight in gold. You never know when mother nature will be in a gray mood, sometimes for days on end. If this happens, a grow light will ensure that your seeds and seedlings are getting the light they need to germinate and thrive.
Take Stock Of Your Gardening Tools
It is really quite aggravating to have your mind all set to get planting, only to realize that this or that tool broke last year and you don’t have everything you need to accomplish the task without running to the store or borrowing from your neighbor. Buying before the season may mean that you pay lower prices, so take stock now to make sure everything you have is in working order. Remember: having the right tool for the job can make all the difference in terms of time and ease.
- pH Soil Tester—This is a must-have, even if you’ve planted in that particular soil before. Factors, such as the decomposition of organic matter (leaves and stuff), the type of fertilizer used, the climate in your area, and the amount of rainfall received can all affect your garden soil’s pH.
- Soil Thermometer—A soil thermometer is nice to have, especially as our climate changes. You’ve probably noticed that severe storms are increasing, summers are hotter, and winters are getting colder with more snow and ice. This means that you may not be able to sow your seeds at the same time as you did last year. Check your seed packets for the ideal soil temperature to direct-sow your seeds.
- Garden Gloves—You may think that garden gloves are a small thing, but they will make your gardening tasks that much easier, protecting your hands from unseen sharp objects (like roofing or sheetrock nails used for construction), sharp twigs or thorns. *Pro Tip: If you have never tried the claw gloves, you may want to try them! I have found them invaluable. They are waterproof and are relatively thick, offering a lot of protection, and are incredibly handy for loosening dirt in the bottom of a planting hole or for weeding near your plants without harming them.
- Rakes—Both a leaf rake and garden rake can be handy. You will use a garden rake to remove the larger lumps of dirt and rocks, and to smooth the soil. A leaf rake will be used to rake the leaves and small twigs that have accumulated over the winter, as well as putting on that finishing touch to have the ideal plot in which to plant.
- Shovels—At least one shovel is necessary, though having a variety is even better. A square shovel or spade-like shovel can be used for making those borders nice and neat, or for edging. A spade shovel is ideal for making the furrows in your vegetable garden. A rounded shovel is good for digging larger holes, for larger plants.
*ProTip: Be aware of the length of the shovel handle. They do come in different lengths and should be comfortable for you to use. Not too short and not too long. This will help to avoid injuries and unnecessary strain on your body.
- Wheelbarrow—Is your wheelbarrow still in good shape? If it has pneumatic wheels, are they aired or do you need new tubes? Now is the best time to be sure the wheels on your wheelbarrow will move freely and easily across your yard. Are there holes in your wheelbarrow from rust? Wheelbarrows rust pretty easily as the surface paint rarely stays on for long if you are putting it to any type of use. If there are only rusty spots that have not penetrated or weakened the wheelbarrow, you may want to wash and air dry those rusted spots and use a spray of touch-up, rust-preventing paint to seal those spots. If there is a chance that your wheelbarrow will disintegrate because the rust has gone through the bottom, you may want to consider getting a new one and then taking good care of it to prevent having to buy a new one later on. Wheelbarrows are not cheap.
*ProTip: Perform wheelbarrow maintenance while cleaning and oiling any other tools, either at the beginning or end of each season.
- Trowels—You may want to have a trowel for everyone who will be working in your garden at one time. This will make it so much easier to make it a family affair. Your little ones and tweens may appreciate a trowel with a handle in their favorite color; this may help them to become more excited about helping with gardening chores…and eating what they harvest. You can even buy personalized garden tools! Trowels can be used for digging smaller holes and for weeding. A trowel with measurements on it is nice when you are planting bulbs so that they are planted at the proper depth.
- Hand Rakes—This is another item that you may want to have more than one of. Hand rakes are ideal for weeding around your plants and for aerating the soil that has become compacted around your plants. Again, buy special tools for the kiddos if they will be in the garden with you.
*ProTip: Buying cheaper hand tools for the kids is fine, but when it comes to your tools, pay the extra money for a higher quality hand garden tool. Some people end up replacing these each year because the quality is sub-par. Clean them after each use.
- Garden Clippers or Shears—You may need these for pruning your perennials but may also need them in the vegetable or flower garden for thinning plants for air circulation to prevent fungal diseases or to make harvesting easier. They are also really handy for clipping cut flowers or for harvesting cucumbers and squash from the vines. I would consider this a must-have.
- Weeding Tool—Yes, the hand rake can be used for shallow weeding, but when you encounter those weeds with long roots, like dandelions, horsetails, and thistles you may need a stronger tool that will dig deeper to get the entire root. These weeds can regenerate from just a small piece of leftover root.
- Harvest Basket—This is not an absolute necessity but is really nice to have so that you do not have to make multiple trips between the garden and the kitchen (unless you need the steps).
- Tool Caddy—Also not a necessity but really handy so that you have everything at your fingertips. It will also ensure that you have a dry place in which to store your garden tools and will keep them organized so that you are not wasting time looking for those tools each time you want to work in the garden.
- Garden Kneeler or Kneeling Pad—I definitely would consider this a must-have. Garden kneelers have a padded seat and can be flipped one way or another to either be used as a garden stool, or as a kneeling pad with handy handles to help you get back up off your knees. Most will also have one or two tool caddies on the side, though I’ve found that there is never enough room and you have to take the caddy off to flip the kneeler one way or another. If opting for the kneeling pad, purchase an extra thick one with a cut out carry handle. It is well worth the extra cost and will not cost much more than the thinner kneeling pads.
Take Stock Of Starter Plants and Seeds
Some vegetable plants are best started indoors, while others can be directly sown into the garden. You can find that information in our blog entitled Starting Seeds Indoors-A Beginner’s Guide. Go by your diagram or make a list of those seeds that you will need to start indoors. February is the ideal time to start those seeds indoors to get a head start on your gardening season. Seeds that will be planted directly into your garden will not germinate unless the soil is above 50°F, though some seeds may require warmer temperatures. This information should be on the seed packet.
- Seeds: If you have saved seeds from last year, check them to make sure there is no mold on them, that they do not look black or “sick”, and that there is no moisture on the inside of the container; you may have to acquire new seeds if these conditions exist. Check dates and replace those seeds that you’ve had for two years or more. Go back to your diagram or list and assess your planting plan to make sure you have the seeds you will need to have the garden you desire.
- Starter Plants: Some gardeners prefer to use starter plants, rather than to direct-sow or start seeds indoors. It may just be a matter of not having the space or the ease in which starter plants will take hold, resulting in more robust growth and a more bountiful harvest more quickly. It may also just be a matter of preference. The advantages of preordering starter plants is that you will be at the top of the list for receiving the plants you want, they will often cost less, you will know how those starter plants are grown, organically or otherwise, if they are GMO or non-GMO, and if pesticides have been used (especially if you buy from us). You will also know the exact time they will ship for planting in your area.
*ProTip: Preorder your starter plants in February. Online garden centers will have a much larger selection than brick and mortar stores. Preordering guarantees that you will receive the variety of each plant you want in your garden.
