garden checklist

Southern Living, Feb 2005

FEBRUARY 2005

Roses

Early planting encourages good root development and healthy plants. Container-grown roses can be added to the garden now. Bare-root roses come wrapped in moist peat and plastic bags. Remove them from the bag, and soak the roots overnight in water before planting. Prune any broken roots and stems. Incorporate organic matter, such as composted peat, into the soil to help retain moisture as new roots become established. The organic matter will also help improve drainage in clay soil. If you purchase a rose that is grafted, be sure the graft is located above the top of the soil when planted. Place in an area that receives at least six hours of full sun each day. Roses work well in raised beds. As the days become warmer and leaves begin to appear, fertilize with liquid Schultz Expert Gardener Rose Food 10-12-12 or granular Garden Safe Rose & Flower 3-5-3. For a great selection of mail-order roses, call The Antique Rose Emporium at 1-800-441-0002, or visit www.antiqueroseemporium.com.

* Liriope and mondo grass-Now is a great time to trim foliage before new leaves emerge. Cut small plantings by hand; for larger ones, use your lawn mower with the blade set at 2½ to 3 inches high. Be careful not to cut too short, as you may damage the new growth. You can check the height of the new growth by gently pulling apart existing leaves near the base of the plant.

* Forcing branches-Forsythia, quince, spirea, and redbud will bloom indoors with a little help. Choose stems whose flowerbuds have begun to swell. Cut the stems at an angle, and place them in a container of water. Once indoors, recut the stems, and put them in tepid water. Set the container in a cool spot with indirect light, and let the blooms begin. (For more on forsythia, see page 48.)

* Vegetables-In the Lower South, set out onion sets and transplants of cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli. In the Middle South, keep sowing spinach and lettuce seeds.

* Lawn-A little bit of work now can save you a whole lot of work later. Spot-control weeds in dormant warm-season lawns by hand-pulling them or applying a broadleaf weed control such as Weed-B-Gon or Weed Stop. To prevent crabgrass seeds from finding a home in your lawn, apply granular Scotts Halts Crabgrass Preventer or Sta-Green Crab-Ex now.

* Orchids-For long-lasting color (six weeks or more) indoors, try moth orchids (Phalaenopsis sp.). Purchase them at garden centers, nurseries, and home-improvement stores. When selecting plants, choose those that have just one or two blooms open with lots of buds.