February Diary

Gardenia

February is often wet and humid, which equals plenty of growth - especially this year! But the last month of summer is also a time when weeds, fungus and pests are on the rise. To keep your garden performing at its peak, here is what to plant, feed and prune.
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What's flowering in February?

• Trees & Shrubs: Buddleja, crepe myrtle, cuphea, fuchsia, gardenia, grevillea hybrids, hibiscus, plumbago, roses, oleander
• Annuals & Perennials: Aster, begonia, celosia, cosmos, geranium, impatiens, petunia, marigold, phlox, portulaca, salvia, alyssum, verbena, zinnia
• Bulbs: Amaryllis, canna, dahlia, dietes, daylily
• Climbers: Bougainvillea, mandevilla

What to plant in February

• Fill your garden with alyssum, cineraria, marigold, polyanthus and snapdragon.
• In temperate and cool zones, plant cyclamen.
• Now’s the time to grow edibles like beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, kale, parsley, parsnip, peas, radish, silverbeet and spinach.

Which plants to fertilise in February

• Give fruit trees a complete plant food to ensure fruit in spring. Citrus trees growing in the ground expect two good meals a year and February is one of those two important mealtimes (August is the other). We love Gyganic for Fruit and Citrus!
• After pruning, feed roses, hydrangeas and hibiscus complete fertiliser or rotted manure.
• Fertilise veggies and annuals fortnightly with a liquid feed such as Harvest to maintain growth.

Which plants to prune in February

• Prune your lavender after flowering. This will prevent legginess and prolong the life of the plant.
• After flowering, trim hydrangeas to the first two plump buds.
• Give your New South Wales and New Zealand Christmas bushes a haircut this month.
• Prune long, unwanted summer canes on creepers such as wisteria and jasmine to keep them under control.
• Deadhead roses and summer annuals and give them a feed of liquid fertiliser to extend flowering.

Garden pests, weeds and diseases to look out for in February

• Fungal diseases such as leaf spot or mildew on veggies and ornamentals should be sprayed with eco-fungicide.
• Keep sucking and chewing insects away from edibles with Nature's Way Dipel, pyrethrum or Success Ultra. For roses and ornamentals, you can use Success Ultra.

General garden and lawn care in February

• Collect and destroy any fallen fruit beneath fruit trees. Fallen fruit encourages the build-up of troublesome pests and diseases.
• Prepare veggie gardens for planting by adding compost and fertiliser.
• February is a hot and humid month, so check all the soil in your garden and pots is covered by mulch to conserve water and control weeds.
• Give aquatic plants some love by removing dead leaves to keep your water features looking tip-top.

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Courtesy of Flower Power: https://www.flowerpower.com.au/