Southwest Gardener's February Checklist

The American Southwest is a vast area, covering all of Arizona and New Mexico and parts of California, Nevada, Texas and Utah. The regions of the Southwest are diverse and include non deserts, high deserts and mountainous regions, covering USDA zones 5 though 9.

Temperatures at February can swing from below freezing on cold days up into the 70s on the others, based on what area you live in. In most regions of the Southwest, we’re blessed to be able to garden through the winter. This month enjoy the fruit from your citrus trees (and share some with your neighbors). Plant some fresh roses; include beautiful, cold-hardy flowering plants; and get your vegetable garden ready for spring.

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Low deserts (around 3,000 ft). Plant cold-hardy flowering natives, including firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii), chaparral sage (Salvia clevelandii), globe mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) and Mexican honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera), that will add amazing color to a backyard.

Temperatures can still fall below freezing in February. Make sure you protect frost-sensitive plants, for example lantana (Lantana spp)and bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp)with freeze cloth. Old towels or sheets will even work in a pinch.

Towards the end of winter, sow seeds for basil, peas, tomatoes and peppers on your vegetable garden.

Revealed: Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua ‘Louis Hamilton’)

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Fertilize trees. February is the time to apply the very first dose of fertilizer into citrus trees (that need to be fertilized three times every year). An easy way to remember when to fertilize is by holiday: Valentine’s Day (February), Memorial Day (May) and Labor Day (September).

Citrus fertilizer must contain nitrogen, alongside the micronutrients iron, manganese and zinc, which are crucial for citrus wellbeing. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer bag carefully; they will tell you just how much to apply. Water the trees well after application.

Liquidscapes

Mid- to high slopes (3,000 to 6,000 ft). Gradually prune evergreen shrubs, such as boxwood (Buxus spp) and dwarf yaupon (Ilex vomitoria); it will stimulate attractive new expansion for spring.

Deciduous shade trees must be pruned in February too. Remove any diseased, dead or crossing branches.

Get a head start on spring by planting vegetable and flower seeds inside eight months before the last average frost date. Beans, cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers do well when started inside. Check a vegetable planting calendar for information on when to plant on your own zone.

Revealed: Boxwood (Buxus microphylla)

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Upper elevations (over 6,000 ft). It is time to get started browsing your seed catalogs and choose what you will plant on your vegetable garden later in spring. Don’t have one yet? This is a good time to start planning to include edibles to your backyard. Select an area that receives at least half an hour or more of sunshine every day.

Deep water your lawn, trees and shrubs. Even though it is winter, they need water. This should be done on a day warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit so that the water doesn’t freeze. Water trees to a depth of 3 ft, shrubs into 2 ft deep and a lawn to 6 inches deep. Use a soil probe or a piece of rebar to help determine how profoundly you are watering.

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Start seeds in biodegradable containers. Did you know that lots of household items make great containers to start seeds inside? Consider using toilet paper rolls cut in half, cardboard coffee sleeves or perhaps eggshells.

After the danger of frost has passed, simply plant your seedlings, biodegradable container and all, at the floor. Both the cardboard and eggshells will decompose rapidly in the dirt.

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Wait to prune frost-damaged growth. While it may be tempting to prune away nasty, frost-damaged expansion from your trees, shrubs or perennials — stop. Pruning too early in the summer stimulates new growth which makes your frost-tender plant more vulnerable to damage from the threat of prospective frosts. Wait till the threat of freezing temperatures has passed until you dust off your pruning tools.

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Have fun with containers. Get creative when choosing containers for your cool-season flowering annuals. A metal bucket, an old watering can, a wheelbarrow or even an old pair of boots may add a touch of whimsy into the garden when stuffed with annual flowers. Just make sure you make holes in the bottom for drainage.

Try pairing violas using alyssum, petunias with snapdragons, or geraniums with Lobelias for amazing color combinations.

Fertilize annuals using a liquid fertilizer at least once a month to encourage continuous flowering.

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Plant bare-root roses. Winter is the time to plant bare-root roses in the desert regions of the Southwest.
Select grade-1 roses, that have at least three big canes (branches). Dig a hole two feet broad and amend the soil with compost and bonemeal prior to planting. Cover the top of your freshly implanted bare-root rose with a mound of compost or wood shavings to keep the canes from drying out. Eliminate the compost as soon as you see new growth appear. Don’t fertilize fresh roses till they’ve flowered for the first time in spring. Revealed: Hybrid tea rose ‘Double Happiness’

Get ready for March. Spring is on its way. Sharpen your pruning tools and get ready to check your irrigation system.

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