by Joe Daniels, Delaware County Master Gardener
Seed and plant catalogs can still be ordered to assist in your selection of plants for the garden.
This is a good time to continue your review of garden books and magazines.
Check notes from last year to see what you want to do the same and what should be changed.
Chart vegetable and flower gardens on graph paper. This will help in rotation of vegetables from last year and assist in knowing how many of each plant will be needed.
Bulbs
The premature emergence of spring bulbs can sometimes be delayed by watering the soil and applying a layer of organic mulch.
Start tuberous begonias in late February or early March.
Check stored summer bulbs, tubers and corms. Discard any with soft spots or disease.
Small Fruits
Fertilize grapes and blueberries.
Remove dead and infested wood and mummified fruit from grapes and blueberries.
Fruit Trees
This is a good time to prune, as long as it is not done right before a heavy freeze. Best time to prune apples.
Peach and nectarine trees can be pruned heavily, removing half of last year's growth to produce new shoots for next year's crop.
Trees and Shrubs
Most ornamental trees can be pruned in late February, except maple, birch and walnut.
Prune summer flowering trees and shrubs now. Select relatively warm days in late February or early March where the weather is predicted to not be very cold for a few days.
Enjoy this time to observe and view the bare look of your garden for ideas as what to add or eliminate. Start exercising--you know those backs and knees will be getting a work out in the next few months. Relax and enjoy the peacefulness and quiet of the winter garden to reflect on the season to come.
Do you have a gardening question? In Delaware County, call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
February 9, 2008
Build a Birdhouse
Do a bird a favor! Learn how to build a birdhouse from a one pound coffee can and wood. This is a hands-on workshop for the family. Please bring a hammer and safety goggles. Cost: $15
March 8, 2008
Cacti & Succulents
Learn the fundamentals of growing cacti and succulents. Make your own dish garden to take home. This is a hands-on workshop. Please bring gloves. Cost: $15
March 29, 2008
HOME GARDENERS SCHOOL
This is it! Our twelfth annual all day educational event. We have a wonderful new location this year in the Life Center Building at Neumann College. Our speakers include Longwood educator Dan Long, Morris Arboretum's Shelley Dillard, Philadelphia Zoo Plant Curator Marty Kromer and Brandywine Conservancy Horticultural Director Mark Gormel .
The day-long program includes a continental breakfast, buffet lunch and a tour of the historic 150 year old Neumann College private garden, which is only open to the public for the day of the workshop. The garden features walking paths, a labyrinth, shrines, native plants, massive old-growth trees, and an innovative solar-powered fountain.
Cost : $55 ($45 if registered by March 14) For more details, call 610-690-2655 or email: Linda Barry.
Registration required for all events. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website
