February in the Garden

I like to dash outside between showers to weed, mulch, and thin the volunteer seedlings sprouting from every planter and border. Even a half-hour is enough to fill a green-waste bin with buckets of oxalis and crabgrass, which uproot easily from damp soil. 

Along with the noxious weeds I also pull out armloads of nasturtium, which is lovely, and overbearing, and vigorous enough to climb fences and trees. Because I let flowers go to seed every year, the winter rains also bring up masses of early annuals such as nigella, cosmos, clarkia and alyssum. Careful weeding removes the bad guys, thins the good guys, and lets the hardy flowers choose the best places to thrive.

Be careful to stay on paths while weeding – it’s better to leave a few hard-to-reach weeds (you can yank them later) than to compact the wet soil. And when you’re done weeding, add a light scattering of mulch. It protects disturbed soil from pounding rain while adding structure and slow-release nutrients. My favorite winter mulch is the commercial soil conditioner sold in compressed, rectangular three-cubic-foot bales at area garden centers. 
January’s warm spell caused acacias and many plum trees to break dormancy and begin to bloom. But if your fruit trees have not begun blossoming, there’s still time for one last application of dormant oil spray – a non-toxic pesticide that smothers overwintering pests without harming birds, bees and other garden residents. 

Other small fair-weather jobs include stripping last year’s leftover leaves from roses and hydrangeas, and raking up fallen leaves and mummified fruit to prevent disease. Dormant deciduous trees and shrubs can still be pruned to limit size and guide summer growth. And this is also a great time to plant bare-root fruit trees, roses and berries.

And if you feel the need for instant winter color, annuals such as Iceland poppies, pansies, calendula, stock and snapdragons thrive in chilly wet garden beds, shrug off the pounding rains, and will bloom brilliantly for the next few months.

-  Maria Gaura, Master Gardener

Upcoming Classes

Get a jump on your spring garden and learn the basics of seed starting. Part planning and part technique, you will learn what kind of vegetables you can grow in early spring and into the warm summer months. Learn when to plant seeds directly in the ground vs. in containers to transplant.

Whether this is your first time to sow seeds or you have been stewarding your garden for years, this will be a great way to spring into the growing season.

Learn all about the different types of strawberries to grow, optimum site selection and preparation, best watering and fertilization practices! Integrated Pest Management for strawberries will also be discussed. 

Learn about the advantages of replacing your time and water consuming lawn with drought-tolerant California native plants. Instead of gazing at gopher mounds, invite the birds, butterflies, and bees into your yard.

Need additional incentive? Neal Christen, Water Conservation Representative from the City of Santa Cruz Water Department will provide information about their Lawn Replacement Rebate Program.

NOTE: Seats are limited to 16 at this location.

In this hands-on class, you will learn to select, plant, cultivate and care for the many types of dahlias. Bring your garden gloves and a trowel to practice planting dahlia tubers! 

Note: Seats are limited to 16 at this location.

This class covers how to pair the right pot with the right plants and where to place it for optimal growth and vigor! Home gardeners with small spaces, balconies or large yards can enjoy growing plants in a variety of vessels. Explore container types and sizes, potting soils and amendments, light and water requirements, pruning and integrated pest management techniques to support a thriving container garden. Whether you are growing food or ornamental plants, singular specimens, mass plantings or trees, this class will cover the keys to keeping your potted plants flourishing.

Note: There is no cost for the class, but Quail Hollow Ranch collects $3 for use of the facilities.