February in the Garden - SCV, Southern California

I’m a little late… so shoot me. Finish up whatever you can’t get done in the next week in early March. I thought it would be nice if you had a list of things that you can do this month. I touched on some earlier in the month.



Buy rubber boots so that you can garden in the rain – or at least go out there and check things that look like they need some help. They might be on sale now, so you can put them in the potting shed or garage for next year.


Photo by Christie Gelsomino - Vision to Be Organized

Repot cacti and succulents after bloom if they are pot bound






Planting time for bare root fruit trees
and bare root roses
and bare root shrubs and vines
and bare root trees



Plant citrus trees

Watch for frost… protect citrus and other subtropicals like Plumeria from frost damage – details on 1/29/10 post

Cut back Ornamental Grasses – details on the 2/13/10 post

Plant Gladiolas, Tuberose, and Gloriosa Lilies --- Summer blooming bulbs

Keep an eye out for snails and slugs… as it warms up they come out. Try copper strips, or decollate snails for some non-toxic ammunition in your war against the garden pests. A little FYI – opossums actually eat snails, so if you have some as nighttime visitors you are receiving back up troops

Prune evergreen shrubs

Prune winter flowering shrubs and vines after they bloom (think Hardenbergia – Lilac Vine and gelsemium – Carolina Jessamine)

Prune flowering fruit trees while in bloom

Set out seedlings of warm-season annuals

If you like to plant from seeds you can sow seeds for warm-season annuals



Feed houseplants that are growing or blooming



Plant or transplant cool-season vegetable seedlings



If you like to plant from seeds you can sow warm season vegetable seeds
Weather permitting, divide perennials



It’s not too late to plant the following Spring Flowers:
o Anemone
o Ranunculus – bulbs that will come back
o Delphinium – these can be planted all year because they are not light sensitive. They are perennials but are best replanted every year here in California. So save your money and buy them small and locally. Don’t waste your time on mail order Delphiniums from back east… they won’t last here. They are a high water plant so if you add some water retaining polymer to the soil when you plant them, you will be able to mix them in with other less water hungry plants.
o Iceland Poppy
o Pansy
o Primrose
o Stock
o Sweet William – very long lasting

Wordless Wednesday - What's Blooming in Santa Clarita

Very Early California Poppies



Breath of Heaven in Bloom



Not blooming, but beautiful and delicious Oro Blanco Grapefruit

Visit me at my website: www.thegrassisalwaysgreener.net

February - Is it Spring?

One day it’s cold and rainy, the next it’s bright and sunny. As you can see by my last post there is still a lot of color in Southern California and yes in Santa Clarita too. In addition to the color of fruit and berries, there are flowering plants too.

As I walk around my neighborhood I find some beautiful early spring bloomers, so I’m going to share them with you.

The first sign of spring, or is it snow? The beautiful Pyrus calleryana – Flowering Pear is blooming everywhere at this time of year. Take a look at its gorgeous blossoms both on the tree and on the sidewalk below. An added bonus comes after a rain storm (which we’ve had plenty of) look at the way the bark turns black and glistens in the rain. This tree is a true treat for your senses.



The deciduous Magnolia is beginning to burst into bloom, over the next few weeks take a look and watch them turn the trees pink, lavender and white.



A real harbinger of spring are the daffodils, if you planted early in the fall, you are reaping your rewards now. If not, there are plenty of neighbors that remembered to plant so enjoy their display and don’t forget to pop a few bulbs into your container designs this year so you can be “surprised” next spring!



Now don’t think February is all long walks and flower watching. By mid to late February you should be cutting back your Ornamental Grasses. Cut back Ornamental Grasses to 4 – 6” or even back to the ground Miscanthus is named Deer Grass for a good reason. Pretend you are a deer and just mow it down! You want to cut them back before the new spring growth begins.



Don’t be fooled by the trimmed look of these grasses … they have been cut but not cut back properly… Don’t make this ugly mistake in your garden.



When you are done with your work take a break and be thankful that we have this fabulous Southern California weather, and that you can actually be gardening today and not our shoveling your way out of your house.

For more information see my website www.thegrassisalwaysgreener.net