February Gardening Tips & Monthly Plant Care Guide

February is a transitional month that prepares your landscape for spring growth. In this February gardening guide from Grimm’s Gardens, discover essential plant care, planning tasks, seasonal lawn tips, pruning advice, and winter protection strategies for gardens in Kansas and neighboring regions.

Late Winter Lawn Care

Even though your lawn in still dormant, February is an important time to protect turf and prepare for early spring growth.

• Rake fallen leaves to avoid grass suffocation.
• Limit foot traffic as this can damage turf crowns and lead to thinning areas in the spring.
• Tune up and make any necessary repairs to your mower, that way you're ready to get a jump on the season.
• Plan for fertilization, overseeding, and weed prevention once temperatures rise.

Fruiting Plant Pruning and Care

February is one of the best times to prune while plants are still dormant. Proper pruning will improve fruit yield, plant health, and disease prevention for later on in the season:

Stone Fruits (Peach, Plum, Cherry, Apricot): Inspect for black knot disease and prune out infected branches. Always sanitize pruners between cuts to prevent any spread.

Raspberry Canes: Remove last year's fruiting canes down to the ground and thin remaining canes to allow airflow and strong production.

Blueberries, Currants, Gooseberries and Elderberries: Remove the oldest and weakest canes to encourage new growth.

Dormant Oil Sprays for Fruit Trees

Dormant oil sprays are an important part of late winter fruit tree care, especially if yo have struggled with scale insects in the past. These pest overwinter on bark and branches, and if left untreated, can quickly multiply and weaken trees a growth begins in spring.

A dormant oil spray works by coating and suffocating overwintering insects before they become active. Timing plays a key role in effectiveness.

• Apply dormant oil when temperatures are at least 40 degrees so the spray can dry properly
• Avoid spraying if temperatures are expected to drop below freezing before the oil has dried, as this can cause plant injury
• Spray in the morning to allow adequate drying time
• Thoroughly cover all limbs, branches, and twigs for best control

For most fruit trees, dormant oil applications should be completed by early March. Peaches and nectarines are especially sensitive to timing, while apples are more forgiving and can be sprayed later, up to the green tip stage. 

Preventing Peach Leaf Curl & Fungal Diseases

February is a critical time to prevent peach leaf curl, a common fungal disease that causes puckered, swollen and distorted reddish-green leaves to peach and nectarine trees. This fungal disease can weaken trees over time by causing leaves to drop too early, reducing the tree's ability to produce and store energy. 

Fortunately, peach leaf curl is not difficult to control but timing is essential. By the time symptoms appear, it is already too late to treat effectively. Fungicide applications must be made while trees are still dormant, before buds begin to swell.

• Apply a fungicide such as 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 all branches and buds for best results
• Prune trees before spraying to improve coverage and effectiveness

We recommend treating for leaf curl every year as a preventative measure, especially if you have had issues in the past. A single well-times application can make a significant difference in tree health and fruit yield.

Flower Care and Perennial Maintenance

Force Early Blooms Indoors: Cut branches from spring-blooming shrubs like forsythia or pussy willow and bring them indoors. Place stems in warm water and loosely cover with a plastic bag to create humidity. Buds should begin swelling within a few days, with blooms appearing in 2–3 weeks.

Start Seeds Indoors: Begin starting seeds for spring transplanting using proper light and warmth for strong seedlings.

Check Perennials: Inspect fall-planted perennials and water if soil is dry and not frozen.

Watch for Frost Heaving: Temperature swings can push plants out of the ground. Gently firm soil back in place and cover exposed roots with mulch.

Mulch Protection: Replenish winter mulch around roses and other tender plants to protect roots from temperature fluctuations.

Bulb Storage: Check stored bulbs regularly and discard any that show signs of rot or mold.

Tree and Shrub Care in Late Winter

• Check for Rabbit Damage: Inspect young trees and shrubs for gnawing damage. Use guards or barriers if needed to prevent further injury.
• Water When Needed: If the soil is dry and not frozen, water fall-planted trees, shrubs, and evergreens to prevent winter stress.
• Do not prune spring-flowering plants until after bloom to avoid cutting off flowers.

Garden Cleanup & Bed Preparation

Tackling cleanup in small efforts now will prevent a major spring rush. Plus, it helps improve airflow, reduces disease and creates a clean slate for all the new growth to come. 

• Begin clearing perennial beds by removing dead plant material and debris
• Create a brush pile or comport material from your garden cleanup

Gardening Planning & Plant Selection

February is one of the best months to plan new garden layouts, color combinations to try, and planting schedules. The best landscapes start on paper before they ever start in the soil. Take time to organize your tools and supplies for a smooth spring start.

Soil Preparation

Even if the ground is frozen, preparation can begin. Start by evaluating your soil condition and so you can plan for any necessary amendments. Plan for early spring soil testing, especially if you have not tested your soil within the past 5 years.

Houseplant Care During Winter

Inspect for Pests: Check for insects, mites, or other problems and treat promptly.

Hold Off on Fertilizer: Most houseplants are dormant or slow-growing, so wait until spring to fertilize.

Clean Leaves: Remove dust buildup by rinsing in the shower or wiping leaves.

Water Carefully: Water only as needed and avoid standing water.

Avoid Drafts: Keep plants away from cold windows and hot vents to prevent stress.

Additional Late Winter Gardening Tips

• Inspect plants for winter damage
• Water any fall-planted trees, shrubs or evergreens if the soil is dry and temps are above freezing
• Organize your tools and supplies for the spring season ahead
• Stay ahead of seasonal tasks to avoid being overwhelmed in next month

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