Things to Do in February

SPRING IS FOR PRUNING (and Fall is for Planting)

GENERAL PRUNING. Late January/early February is the ideal time for major pruning and shaping of most trees and ornamental shrubs. Remove diseased and dead wood from any plant. Take into account the fact that the plant is going to grow during the spring and summer, and cut so that the bush needs no more than light shaping until this time next year. Keep in mind that shearing destroys the natural shape of many bushes. Cut limbs at differing heights and lengths. The use of hedge clippers should be confined to hedges.

SPRING-FLOWERING shrubs bloom on last year's wood and should not be pruned until after flowering. These include Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Forsythia, Spirea, Flowering Quince, Kerria, Pieris, Weigela, and Buddleia Alternifolia (fountain butterfly bush). Spring bloomers include Abelia, Oakleaf and Peegee Hydrangeas, Beautyberry, Clethra, and Vitex.

SUMMER-FLOWERING SHRUBS which bloom on this year's wood, should be pruned before new growth starts. On shrubs, 1/3 of the oldest canes should be cut back to the ground. Summer-flowering Buddleia davidii should have all canes cut to 8-12 " from the ground. Crapemyrtle trees may be pruned at this time.

OVERGROWN PLANTINGS OF OLD ESTABLISHED PLANTS like Burford Holly, Cleyera, Japanese Holly, Pittosporum, Ligustrum, and similar broad-leaf evergreens can be cut back to 15-24" from the ground.

CONIFERS such as Pine, Junipers, Fir, Spruce, Yew and Aborvitae will not withstand heavy pruning because most conifers don't carry latent buds below the foliage area and do not readily produce adventitious buds. If a branch is cut back past the foliage area, the rest of the branch will not refoliate. The best time to prune conifers is just after the new growth is completed, usually in late spring or early summer. Encourage bushier growth on pines by pinching out the new candles. Hemlocks are the exception to the rule. They will tolerate heavy pruning and are sometimes used for hedge plants.

TREE WOUND PAINTS are useless in sealing pruning cuts and may actually do harm to the tree (even if using them makes the homeowner feel good). Call for tree pruning bulletin, (910) 484- 7156.

FRUIT TREES. The aim of pruning is to keep height down and the tree open for good light and air penetration. Call for a bulletin on pruning fruit trees, (910) 484-7156.

GRAPES. Prune after most cold weather is over, late February/March. Bleeding will not hurt the vines.

BUSH ROSES. Thin to 3-5 good strong canes and shorten canes to 15". Prune climbers after they flower in early summer.

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES should be cut back before new growth starts. Mow Liriope (Monkeygrass) to remove last year's unsightly foliage. Ornamental grasses may be divided now.

WILD GARLIC (WILD ONION). Contol with 2,4-D with Amine. Add a few drops of dishwashing detergent as a surfactant to help herbicide adhere to the narrow leaves. Spray in late February/early March, and again in late August. Control may require two years of persistence, spraying in both growth seasons.

FESCUE LAWNS should be fertilized around Valentine's Day. Use 5 lbs. of 10-10-10 per 1000 sf, which is one-half the rate used for fall fertilizing. Late or excessive fertilizing in spring predisposes fescue to Brown Patch disease.

FERTILIZING TREES. If the tree is in good condition, well mulched, or in a natural area, it does not need regular fertilizing. If you fertilize your lawn regularly, you are fertilizing trees in the area also. Drilling holes or using fertilizer stakes is not recommended for homeowners. Newly planted trees may be fertilized for the first few years using 1/2 lb. of 10-10-10 per plant in early spring and again in early summer; a slow-release fertilizer is preferable.

FERTILIZING SHRUBS. Most shrubs respond well to an application of a slow-release fertilizer. Apply according to directions on whatever product you use, distributing it evenly over the entire root area but away from the stem. If your shrubs are healthy, maintaining their vigor, and are at the desired size, omit the fertilizer; you are only increasing your pruning chores.

APPLY A DORMANT OIL SPRAY to fruit trees and ornamentals for control of overwintering insects and eggs. Do not apply to broadleaf evergreens when freezing temperatures are expected.
Last revised 05/01/98
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