February in Brevard County is a transitional month. Although cooler temperatures persist, especially in the evenings and mornings, we’re gradually moving towards warmer weather and it’s time to start shifting our focus from winter tasks and start preparing for spring!

What to Do in February

As February progresses and temperatures warm up, it’s an ideal time to start planning for your spring garden.

This month, we’ll focus on:

• Soil preparation: Mix organic matter into your soil to ensure a nutrient-rich environment this spring.
• Fertilizing: Apply fertilizer now, before the peak of spring growth, to ensure plants have the nutrients they need just as they start to grow actively.
• Planning your spring garden
• What not to do: avoid premature pruning and overwatering.

Prepare your garden beds by adding organic materials such as compost, soil conditioner, or manure to set the stage for healthy plant growth.

For New Beds:

• Clear the area where you plan to create your garden by removing grass, weeds, and debris.
• Use a garden fork or tiller to loosen the existing soil to a depth of about 6-8 inches.
• Spread a 2-3 inch layer of your chosen organic material evenly over the cleared area.
• Use a rake to work the organic material into the soil, ensuring thorough mixing for uniform nutrient distribution.

For Existing Beds with Perennials or Established Plants:

• Remove weeds and debris around the existing plants without disrupting their root systems.
• Loosen the soil in the spaces between plants using a garden fork or hand tools.
• Apply a 2-3 inch layer of your chosen organic material evenly over the existing garden beds, avoiding direct contact with plant stems.
• Use a rake or hand tools to gently incorporate the organic material into the top layer of soil without damaging the roots of your established plants.
• Mulch Around Plants: After amending the soil, apply a layer of mulch around your established plants to retain moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds.

In February, some trees are emerging from dormancy while others remain dormant. It’s important to identify each tree’s growth stage before fertilizing.

For emerging trees showing new growth, we highly recommend the use of organic fertilizers, like Espoma Plant-tone or Holly-tone before spring rains come to provide essential nutrients without over-fertilizing. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly and steadily, reducing the risk of over-fertilization.

For still-dormant trees, hold off on fertilizing until signs of new growth appear. Fertilizing too early is ineffective.

Emerging Trees

Some trees, often referred to as deciduous trees, are beginning to emerge from their dormant winter phase. During this time, they may show signs of new growth, such as buds or small leaves starting to appear. These trees are actively transitioning into their growing season and it’s beneficial to provide them with essential nutrients before the heavy rains of spring encourage nutrient runoff.

Fertilize shrubs with Espoma Plant-tone or Holly-tone (for acid-loving plants).

Prune and fertilize roses: February is a great time to plant new roses as well as fertilize your existing roses with Rose-Tone.

For citrus trees: To keep your citrus trees healthy, especially with the threat of citrus greening in Florida we recommend using a blend of products that includes:

• Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew for pests
• Citrus Nutritional Spray for overall health
• Genysis to help the tree absorb these products effectively.

Read our citrus infosheet to learn more.

Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed can also be added to further enhance the health of the plant.

Dormant Trees:

On the other hand, some trees remain dormant during February. These trees do not display signs of new growth and are still conserving energy for the spring. Fertilizing dormant trees at this stage can be less effective and may even disrupt their natural growth cycle.

Plant Selection: Begin by choosing the plants, flowers, and vegetables you want to grow in your garden. If you’re new to gardening, it’s a good idea to begin with plants that are known to be easy to care for.

What colors, shapes, and scents do you prefer? Knowing your purpose will help you choose the right plants.

Are you looking for beautiful flowers to brighten up your outdoor space? Salvia ‘Summer Jewel,‘ Gomphrena Truffula Pink PW, Vinca Cascade, Sunpatiens and Zinnias will perform well throughout late spring, summer, and even early fall with proper care, making them great choices for brightening up outdoor spaces.

Want fresh herbs for cooking and to keep away pesky insects?

Basil, rosemary, mint, lavender, and chives not only add flavor to your dishes but also help repel pests like mosquitoes, flies and garden pests like aphids and ants.

Looking to grow your own fresh vegetables? Vegetables like arugula, bok choy, snow peas, Marketmore cucumbers, and Swiss chard have better tolerance for cooler temperatures and are less likely to be affected by a frost and you’ll have enough time to grow and harvest them before the warmer weather sets in.

Are you looking to enhance your outdoor space with shade, beauty, and a burst of summer color? Consider planting the following trees in your garden:

• Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): These stunning trees are renowned for their vibrant summer blooms, adding splashes of color to your yard while requiring minimal maintenance.
• Eastern Red Cedar ‘Brodie’ (Juniperus virginiana ‘Brodie’): These evergreen trees provide year-round greenery and can double as natural privacy screens, making them a practical addition to your garden.
• Ixoras: Ixoras are prized for their showy clusters of colorful flowers, attracting pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, enriching your garden’s biodiversity.
• Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia): Famous for their breathtaking purple blooms in spring, Jacaranda trees bring an elegant touch and much-needed shade to your landscape.
• Magnolias: Enhance your garden with native Magnolia trees, each offering unique characteristics. The Magnolia DD Blanchard is a larger option, while the Magnolia Little Gem is a compact choice ideal for smaller yards. Additionally, the Magnolia Silver Mist adds an elegant touch to your landscape.

Garden Layout: Determine the layout of your spring garden. Understanding your garden’s microclimates will help you choose the right plants for each spot. Sunlight, water availability, and soil conditions significantly impact plant growth and health. If you find this process overwhelming, our team is here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a landscape design consultation.

Apply crabgrass preventer

In mid-February, apply a crabgrass preventer to keep new weed seeds from sprouting. This is also a great time to kill existing weeds in your lawn. We highly recommend Dollar Weed Control for all lawns except those made up of Bahia grass.

Preparing for a freeze:

• Keep a close eye on the local weather conditions throughout February.
• Brevard County experiences fluctuating temperatures during this month.
• Be prepared for occasional frost days and temperature variations between 40 and 80 degrees.

What to do after a freeze:

For most plants, you don’t want to cut off cold damage. Dead branches will serve as protection for the plant, and pruning will encourage new growth, which will be damaged if more cold weather comes through.

Don’t Prune Yet!

It is not a good month to prune your plants. Pruning stimulates new growth, and you don’t want to subject those new, sensitive leaves to a potential frost. The extra leaves also serve as an added layer of protection and warmth, so it’s best to leave them on until it warms up.

There are a few exceptions. Dormant plants like crape myrtles and roses can be pruned in the winter, and you’ll want to prune damaged or rotten branches off plumeria to prevent future damage.

Avoid Overwatering:

While it’s important to monitor soil moisture, be cautious not to overwater your plants in February. Cooler temperatures and reduced sunlight can slow down the evaporation rate, leading to waterlogged soil. Ensure proper drainage and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Don’t Forget Pest Control:

Even in winter, some pests remain active. Don’t forget to monitor your garden for signs of pest infestations and take appropriate measures to control them. A proactive approach can prevent issues from worsening in the coming months.

Looking ahead

Towards the end of the month, as the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to start your spring garden! Check out our March gardening tips for more info.