As every nurseryman knows , February is a semisweet month . Yearning to be outside while the garden is dormant and often snow covered can be depressing for those who pass most of the yr outside . However , February also provides a welcome break to catch up on tasks that the busy season does not allow time to accomplish .
Prune your dormant trees and shrubs . When these deciduous works lack foliage , their frames can be clear see . fifth wheel can be remove from any Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or bush ; when pruning for shape , bush flower on new Grant Wood can be pruned now . For those anthesis on old Grant Wood , wait to prune until after they blossom . For more information on how to prune trees and shrub , see ourPruning Tips and Techniquescollection .
place your vegetable seeds . March is just around the corner , and so it ’s time tostart annual and vegetable seed . Get the seed catalogs out and start patronize . This a great clock time to dream about all the raw plants that can be lend to the garden . Select SeedsandFloretare great sources for heirloom slue flowers . Johnny ’s Selected Seeds , Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds , andHappy Cat Farmare excellent sources for heirloom vegetable seeds .

Make a wish list of supply . Take stock-taking of your tool , pots , plant life interest , and seed - starting supplying , and make a list of what you need or want this leap . Need some inspiration ? record onhere . demand a compost bin ? Shop around , or if you are feeling motivated , regain program to progress your own . After finding what you involve , organise your potting shed or garage and you ’ll be quick to go for leaping .
Plan change to make to your garden . Take a walking around your wintertime garden and take some notes . A garden daybook is a great cock to salvage those garden ideas that you might forget by the fourth dimension spring is in full baseball swing . What can you add for morewinter interest ? What would you like to see in bound and summertime ? Even if you are not a landscape designer , making a scratchy study of your garden will provide a visual for any editing that can be done or outer space that can be fill up .
Take a social class or shop . Attending a conference , class , workshop , or webinar in person or online is a wonderful way to get invigorate and mesh with fellow plantspeople during the winter month . Many public gardens and garden associations have a variety of continuing didactics course of study . In the Mid - Atlantic region , botanic garden such asLongwood Gardensin Kennett Square , Pennsylvania , Mt. Cuba Centerin Hockessin , Delaware , andMorris Arboretumin Philadelphia have wonderful continuing education program with a orotund pick of classes and workshop . TheAPGA ( American Public Gardens Association)is also a great resource for finding local classes .

Although winter slow casual activeness in the garden , there are still many way to keep your thumb green in February . While not always physically in the garden , these activities will keep you think about the next gardening time of year .
— Michele Christiano is a horticulture assistant at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square , Pennsylvania .
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Look out for a few trees and shrubs in bloom this month, like ‘Jelena’ witch hazel (Hamamelisxintermedia‘Jelena’, Zones 5-8).Photo: Jennifer Benner
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Prune dormant shrubs, like this Pinky Winky®panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata, ‘DVP Pinky’, Zones 3–8).Photo: Michele Christiano

Order your veggie seeds now for the best selection.Photo: Amy Bloom

Go through your leftover materials from last year and your tools to see if any additions or replacements need to be made.Photo: Danielle Sherry

Making even a rudimentary sketch of your garden can help you visualize the changes you’d like to make.Photo: Michele Christiano

Winter is prime time for symposia and other garden events.Photo: Danielle Sherry
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