What To Do in Your Garden in February? Plant trees!
I know it sounds crazy, but February is the perfect month to plant trees-particularly bare root trees-but even your other woody shrubs are ready to go into the ground. What To Do in Your Garden in February? Plant trees!
I know it sounds crazy, but February is the perfect month to plant trees-particularly bare root trees-but even your other woody shrubs are ready to go into the ground.
Why February? The ground isn’t frozen, and your trees and shrubs haven’t started actively growing yet. There may be a few buds on them, but it is still a much better time to plant RIGHT NOW than to wait until the warmer months. Wait a month or two, and suddenly the plants are actively growing, and their water needs are higher. In addition, the roots can begin to stretch out underground now while not having to focus on buds and leaves.
Less Water, More Stable Roots
While your newly planted trees and shrubs will require a good watering-in, the root balls won’t dry out as quickly as they would once the growing season really gets underway. Allowing the roots this extra time will mean healthier, more productive trees and shrubs during the growing season. Once the weather turns warmer, that root growth will be diverted to the production of leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits.
What About Frost/Freeze Issues?
The roots will keep growing, seeking out new avenues underground to stabilize your tree. Your bare root and woody shrubs will withstand a few colder nights. And, let’s face it, digging those holes and planting now while it is a bit cooler is much more comfortable!
Apple Trees:
Apple trees require quite a large number of hours of cooler weather to begin producing fruit (per the University of Florida agricultural department). Getting started by planting them now will help quicken that eventual fruit production.
Citrus Trees:
Planting orange and orange variation trees now is also a good idea, as well as all your other citrus trees. Orange, of all the citrus trees, seems to require more time to acclimate to its environment (per the University of Florida agricultural department). So, getting those satsuma trees in the ground now will give them a ‘limb up’ on their growth!
Reminders:
Be sure to plan out your planting! Many trees need a ‘companion’ tree to pollinate, for example (your local nursery will have better knowledge about this).
Plant your tree in the ground, then cover with the dirt you dug up to make the planting hole. This will help with drainage, as the dirt that was originally there is native and more used to whatever drainage needs there are.
Purchase your bare root, fruit, and other trees/shrubs from a qualified nursery. Not only are you supporting local business, but you are also ensuring that the plants you buy are those that will do best in your area.
So…What are you waiting for? Get planting!
Why February? The ground isn’t frozen, and your trees and shrubs haven’t started actively growing yet. There may be a few buds on them, but it is still a much better time to plant RIGHT NOW than to wait until the warmer months. Wait a month or two, and suddenly the plants are actively growing, and their water needs are higher. In addition, the roots can begin to stretch out underground now while not having to focus on buds and leaves.
Less Water, More Stable Roots
While your newly planted trees and shrubs will require a good watering-in, the root balls won’t dry out as quickly as they would once the growing season really gets underway. Allowing the roots this extra time will mean healthier, more productive trees and shrubs during the growing season. Once the weather turns warmer, that root growth will be diverted to the production of leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits.
What About Frost/Freeze Issues?
The roots will keep growing, seeking out new avenues underground to stabilize your tree. Your bare root and woody shrubs will withstand a few colder nights. And, let’s face it, digging those holes and planting now while it is a bit cooler is much more comfortable!
Apple Trees:
Apple trees require quite a large number of hours of cooler weather to begin producing fruit (per the University of Florida agricultural department). Getting started by planting them now will help quicken that eventual fruit production.
Citrus Trees:
Planting orange and orange variation trees now is also a good idea, as well as all your other citrus trees. Orange, of all the citrus trees, seems to require more time to acclimate to its environment (per the University of Florida agricultural department). So, getting those satsuma trees in the ground now will give them a ‘limb up’ on their growth!
Reminders:
Be sure to plan out your planting! Many trees need a ‘companion’ tree to pollinate, for example (your local nursery will have better knowledge about this).
Plant your tree in the ground, then cover with the dirt you dug up to make the planting hole. This will help with drainage, as the dirt that was originally there is native and more used to whatever drainage needs there are.
Purchase your bare root, fruit, and other trees/shrubs from a qualified nursery. Not only are you supporting local business, but you are also ensuring that the plants you buy are those that will do best in your area.
So…What are you waiting for? Get planting!
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