San Mateo - Gardening Tips for February

Gardening Tips for February

By Mary Crowell

In February, because of the iffy weather, it is still difficult to do full-time gardening. Now is a super time to read those great gardening magazines. I love the “Garden Gate”, “Fine Gardening” and “Sunset” also any articles about Going Green! Environmental issues are something that we all have to understand for the world to continue into the future. What can an individual do? Tending a garden brings you closer to the earth and “how” you garden can make a difference. Avoid the use of chemicals and pesticides by switching to natural resources such as lady bugs, insecticidal soaps, Sluggo (for snails and slugs),=2 0compost teas and keeping your plants healthy. Ever try layers of newspaper under your mulch? It ends up using less mulch and the newspaper does eventually break down, but keep colored papers in the recycle bin. What about a drip irrigation system? It uses less water and can be very efficient, especially if you get one of the new timers with a rain sensor. How about recycling plastic pots? Our own San Mateo Garden Center can always use your castoffs, along with local nurseries who may take back their own pots. Check with them. Continue doing your pruning, fertilizing, applying the organic dormant spray, looking at catalogues, reading about your plants and planting spring flowers and shrubs. Going to the Peninsula Home and Garden show this month, Feb. 20, 21, 22 at the San Mateo Fairgrounds is a grand place to see a lot of interesting ideas for landscaping and vendors all in one place. Our Peninsula Succulent Club will have a booth and will be selling cuttings and plants that are easy and drought tolerant. Jan and Feb is the right time for planting bare-root roses, shade trees, fruit trees, flowering shrubs, grapes, and strawberries. Choose those plant s that have strong stems and a healthy root structure. Always plant as soon as possible after you get the plants. I am not sure how many of you lose plants waiting to get them into the ground or into a pot, but I have been known to send more than a few to plant heaven! In fact, I have learned not to even go near a nursery unless I have the time, energy and plans to plant ASAP or put it on the honey-do list. Prune any frost damaged leaves and branches, but be careful, as exposing the new tender undergrowth can be tricky on your timing. It really is best to wait until the weather report gives the green light before pruning, as in “no frost”! If you failed to prune your roses in Jan, do so right now before new growth is damaged. Be thinking about mulching, adding humus, compost and preparing any planting beds this month when the ground is easy to dig and weed. Now is a great time to sharpen and inventory your tools, clean your shed or garage. Here is a list of my favorite local nurseries in the SF Bay area that are fun to visit: Half Moon Bay Nursery, Hwy. 92, on the left side before you get to HMB, 650-726-5392, Wegman’s, 492 Woodside Rd, Redwood City, 650-368-5908, Roger Reynolds, 133 Encinal Ave., Menlo Park, 650-323-5612, Central Garden Center, 408 Ninth Ave, San Mateo, 650-340-8850, Golden Nursery, 1122 Second Ave (at Amplett), San Mateo, 650-348-5525, Carlmont Nursery, 2029 Ralston Ave., Belmont, 650-591-6845, The San Mateo Arboretum Society, 101 Ninth Ave, San Mateo in Central Park, 650-579-1536, and our own San Mateo Garden Center, 605 Parkside Way, San Mateo, 650-574-1506. The San Francisco Botanical Gardens at 9th and Lincoln in SF, has monthly plant sales and is a fantastic world class garden. Cymbidiums should be spiking, some flowering already, mine started around Christmas. We should have changed to the high- nitrogen fertilizer in Jan and use that through June, swi tching to the low-nitrogen (high bloom) in July through December. Remember cymbidiums are heavy feeders and need more sunlight than one expects (4-6 hours of direct sunlight for best flowering). Stake any spikes with figure-8 ties and stakes, so the heavily laden ones don’t break off. Watering needs are low this time of year, but don’t forget under the eaves, patios, or trees. You may ask me questions at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , write to me c/o the San Mateo Garden Center News, 605 Parkside Way San Mateo, 94403.