February is the month of transition, winter is among us and spring is around the corner. If you have frost, not to worry the end of February, it becomes improbable. Prune away frost damaged leaves and stems once your garden’s last frost date has passed. It will be the beginning of new growth in your garden so make sure to plan this year’s new garden.

Your garden success does depend on how well you’re prepared. Ideally prepare your soil 2-3 weeks before planting. Before rototilling the ground must be soften, and may be done by soaking the ground with water the day before. El Nino will do its part on soaking the ground this year. Tilling upsets the microorganisms living in the soil so make sure to add compost and manure at this time.

The cool weather is perfect to plant vegetables like carrots, peas, lettuce, white potatoes, and celery. As soon as the soil temperature reaches about 60 degrees, you are able to plant warmer crops like peppers and tomatoes. If you are planting color and would like immediate gratification, cool weather annuals will give you instant gratification. Pansies, dianthus, primula, calendulas, and Iceland poppies are great cool weather annuals. Clivia also start to bloom now. Clivia must be planted in an area protected from frost and direct sun. Clivia also prefer their roots crowed so divide infrequently. They come in a wide range of colors including white, yellow, orange, and red.

Inspect your Citrus and Avocado’s trees of any deformed leaves and old fruit. Check for trails, in leaves as well. Leaf miner is a larva that lives and eats leaf tissue leaving a trail on the leaf. Leaf miners can be treated by applying a horticultural mineral oil which acts as a Insecticide, Fungicide, and Miticide spray. Citrus and Avocado’s should be fertilized this month if along the coast. For those who live inland, wait until next month. Avocados also like to have their roots mulch, so it’s best to mulch at this time.