Source: Clemson University
Things to do:
Bulbs – it’s time to buy your fall-flowering bulbs, such as dahlias, gladioli, cannas, and lilies. Don’t plant them yet, but wait for warmer weather (the soil temperature must be at least 55 degrees F).
Tree Fruits – spray your tree fruits this month with a dormant oil (such as volck oil) to control mites and scale. The oil simply covers the tree and suffocates the insects, and it also helps inhibit sporulation of some diseases. (Note – do not apply dormant oil when the tree is not dormant. Doing so in the spring, summer, and fall will cause damage – the tree cannot transpire properly when covered with the oil during the wrong season.)
Fertilizer – it’s time for the first application of fertilizer for fescue and other cool-season grass lawns. Follow the recommendations on your soil test report for your lawn. DON’T fertilize warm-season grass lawns early in the winter! See Fertilizing Lawns for more information. If you have not soil-tested your lawn areas in the past 12 months, now is a great time!
Fire ants – some of the extended-protection broadcast fire ant treatments (such as those containing fipronyl) require 2 inches of water to be activated, then require a two-week period after the water is added to begin protecting your lawn. Applying those products now will have them active and ready for the ants by the time they begin to “pop up.”
Henbit – this nice little lawn weed can be a problem. Treat now to prevent its return this summer.
Trampweed – if you saw this fluffy-looking weed last summer and fall, now is the time to treat your yard to prevent its return. This should be your second treatment if you have a warm-season lawn; it should be your first if you have a cool-season lawn (such as fescue).
Irrigation – believe it or not, if you have a warm-season lawn you might need a little water this month. If there is an extended dry period during the winter (4+ weeks), adding one inch of water (on a warm day, of course) will help the soil retain heat and may help prevent injury to cold-sensitive grasses.
Pruning – now is a great time to prune most trees and shrubs. However, do not prune azalea, dogwood, forsythia, redbud and rhododendron – they should be pruned after they bloom, since they set blooms in the fall. Almost anything that blooms after June 1 (except oakleaf hydrangea and late-flowering azalea cultivars) can be pruned safely now.
Tree Planting – the winter months when trees are dormant are excellent times to plant. Be careful that you do not plant them too deep or with too much soil amendment.
Vegetables – Some planting times for more common vegetables
Asparagus crowns – early February – late March
Cabbage – Feb. 15 – Apr. 1
Garden Peas – Feb. 1 – 15
Turnips – Feb. 20 – Apr. 1
