February is typically the coldest month in Brevard county and tends to have great fluctuations between cold days and warm days, with ranges between 40 degrees up to the 80s, and occasionally a few frost days.
Althought it is not a good month to prune and plant sensitive plants, there are many cold-hardy flowers, trees, and shrubs that can be planted now!
Check with a Rockledge Gardens associate to find out which plants will thrive when planted in February.
Here are some gardening tips to prepare your Florida garden during the month of February.
Fertilize your citrus.
Use Sunniland Citrus Fertilizer toward the end of the month. Spray foliage with Genisys, Citrus Scripts Nutritional Spray, and Liquid Copper Fungicide before blossoms appear to provide essential minor elements, boost the immune system, and keep fungal problems from developing (all can be sprayed together!).
Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed can also be added to further enhance the health of the plant.
Amend your spring garden beds!
Use organic materials such as compost, soil conditioner, or manure.
Prune and fertilize your roses.
February is a great time to plant new roses as well as fertilize your existing roses with Rose-Tone.
Watch the weather!
If the weather is expected to hit freezing temperatures, make sure your plants are well watered, cover your delicate plants with sheets or cloth, and bring in your pots.
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.
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.
Fertilize shrubs with Espoma Plant-tone or Holly-tone (for acid-loving plants).
Warmer Weather
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.
