February

February

Landscape

Cut branches from spring blooming shrubs (Forsythia, Pussy Willow) and bring indoors in February for early bloom. Place them in a large vase with warm water, and seal tight in a plastic bag to provide humidity. In a few days check to see if buds are swelling. They should bloom in 2-3 weeks.

Apply Barricade Weed and Crabgrass Preventer for control of henbit and chickweed.

Fruit Trees

Time for Peach Leaf Curl Control

If you have ever seen emerging peach leaves that are puckered, swollen, distorted and reddish-green color, you have seen peach leaf curl.
Uncontrolled, this disease can severely weaken trees because of untimely leaf drop when leaves unfurl in the spring. Fortunately, peach leaf curl is not that difficult to control if the spray is applied early enough.
By the time you see symptoms, it is much too late. As a matter of fact, fungicides are ineffective if applied after buds begin to swell. Recent cold temperatures should keep trees in tight bud long enough to find a window for application. Don't spray when temperatures will fall below freezing before the spray dries.
Peach leaf curl can be controlled by a single fungicide application either in the fall after leaf drop or in the spring before bud swell.
There are several fungicides labeled for this disease including
Bordeaux, liquid lime sulfur, and chlorothalonil (Ortho Garden Disease Control, Fertilome Broad Spectrum Fungicide, GardenTech Fungicide Disease Control, Gordon's Multipurpose Fungicide, and Daconil).
Thoroughly cover the entire tree during application. Note that it is much easier to achieve good spray coverage if the tree is pruned before spraying. (WU)

Dormant Oil Sprays for Fruit Trees

There are a number of dormant sprays used on fruit to control various diseases and insects, but a dormant oil spray is designed to control scale insects. If you have a problem with scale, now is the time to start looking for an opportunity to spray. Normally spray should be applied by March 1, especially with peaches and nectarines. Apples are tougher, and application may be delayed up to the green tip stage. Temperatures need to be at least 40 degrees so spray has a chance to dry before freezing. If the spray does freeze before it dries, plant injury can occur. Applying the spray during the morning will help insure that it dries properly. Thorough coverage of limbs, branches and twigs is vital for good control. (WU) K State Extension Service.