“Whether winter, spring, summer or fall, may your February bring you love, happiness, beautiful blessings, huge hugs, and an abundance of all that your heart desires.” Rebecca Fox.

Last weekend was such a devastating weekend for many people in south Georgia. As the tornadoes ripped across our countryside, lives were lost and property was destroyed or damaged severely. Prayers are uplifted for the families who lost loved ones and for those who lost their homes, personal property, and most everything they had.

The end of January is upon us and February is ready to make its presence. We found time in January to socially and financially adjust to a new normal following another enjoyable holiday season. Then came last weekend and the tornadoes, and our new normal disappeared as quickly as it was found. Now, we have to find another new normal while adjusting our lives during such a difficult time as this.

These warm and cool patterns of our current winter season have continued right through to the end of January. However, the cold weather is not over by a long shot. We still have a few more weeks of cool temperatures in store before spring arrives. Early hints of spring have been visible this week throughout the community with the blooming of the Japanese (saucer) magnolias. But do not be fooled, winter is not over. Enjoy the temperature fluctuations as you continue to plan your landscape activities and responsibilities.

Later in February is usually the time for pruning your summer flowering trees and shrubs, such as crape myrtles and knock-out roses. Just be sure that the extremely cold weather is behind us. This is not the time to prune the needle evergreens. Begin planning your annual and perennial planting list for the spring.

Also, your existing perennials can be transplanted, as well as managing your roses by planting, pruning or moving them. And prune the dead wood from all the flowering and non-flowering plants. Cut hydrangea back to ¾ of their growth. The transplanting season continues this month for all container plants. Now, all these activities should start about mid-February through early March, unless we have some more very cold conditions thus delaying such efforts.

Bird feeders and bird baths: Be sure to keep your bird feeders filled with bird seed to service all the birds that come your way. Also, keep sufficient water levels in bird baths to quinch their thirst and allow them to splatter about. Continue to monitor the night weather and bring your pets inside protecting them from any harsh conditions.

Crape myrtles: You can propagate crape myrtles this month from hardwood cuttings of last year’s growth. Make the cuttings about six-inches long, and insert in a flat containing a mixture of equal parts of perlite and peat moss. The medium should be well-drained. The cuttings should be rooted and ready to transplant into containers by early summer.

Forced bulbs: After your container-planted narcissus, crocus, and Dutch iris have finished blooming and the foliage has died back, plant them outdoors in the landscape garden. Chances of forcing the bulbs a second time are very slim.

Garden cleanup: Continue removing refuse from lawns, landscape beds and flower areas. Any leaves and dead plants remaining on the ground now will hinder the spring recovery of lawn grasses and perennial flowers. Remove all plant waste to the compost pile, sprinkle it with fertilizer, soak the pile, and turn it over once each week. The compost will be ready to use by early summer. Otherwise, properly dispose or safely burn the debris after getting a burn permit.

Greenhouse: This month, sow impatiens, marigolds, scarlet sage (salvia), zinnias, verbena, speedwell, balsam, and coleus in the greenhouse to transplant in the landscape garden after the last spring frost. Coleus, begonias, and geraniums can also be grown from cuttings. Vegetables to sow now for April transplanting include eggplant, bell peppers and tomatoes.

Groundcovers: Place your lawn mower on the highest setting and mow the mondo grass and liriope later in the the month. This procedure will allow the plants a fresh start at the beginning of the new season. Apply proper mulch to prevent weeds and add to the curb appeal. In establishing new plantings, select the proper plant materials for the host microenvironment whether sun, shade, or a mix.

Knock-out roses: Knock-out roses can be pruned this month (after the middle of the month). They can be pruned to about one foot from the ground level with 5-7 strong canes. New purchases are either in container or bare root packed. Look at the grade (1, 1.5, 2) and select the one most favorable to you. A grade “1” has better quality than a grade “2”, but either works.

Lantana: Lantana can be pruned this month (after the middle of the month). They can be pruned to about one foot from the ground level and selecting strong support leaders to start the new generation of growth for the season.

Pine cones and sticks: Continue to pick up all pine cones and limb debris from the lawn and landscape bed areas for curb appeal. These items can be used effectively as starter wood for your burn piles and burn cans.

Get prepared for the upcoming frantic pace that will develop throughout all your yard activities in February and March. Enjoy the remainder of this wintery season with warm clothing, a smile and enough energy sufficient to satisfy the needs of your landscape plants and beds as spring approaches. You will enjoy the benefits of your labor throughout the seasons to come through curb appeal, area usage and sustainability. Always think native plants!

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” Psalm 29:2.