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Setting Your Garden For February |
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North February
by KeithMarkensen
North February
February is an exceedingly trying month for the home gardener in the north central section of the country. The weather continues to keep him inactive as far as doing any actual gardening is concerned and he knows that there will be many weeks before the earth can be turned, seeds sown and plants set out in garden beds. He must be content to speculate, plan and prepare for the coming season.
February is a good month to get set for the gardening season. Now, rather than when the season begins is the time to check over garden supplies, seeds, tools and equipment. Tools should be examined for needed repairs, sharpening and the possibilities of replacements with new ones.
Power equipment should be gone over to be sure that it is in good working order. Overhauling can be done leisurely and with a certain amount of pleasure which would be absent if it is put off until the time comes when tools and equipment are actually needed to do garden work in spring.
These last few weeks of winter should be devoted to reading and studying plant culture and gardening practices. This can be almost as great a pleasure as active gardening itself.
Although it is true that we learn more about gardening through actual experience, there is none the less much to be learned from magazines, books and other publications. Many mistakes and negative experiences may be evaded as a result of reading up-to-date literature on plant culture and gardening activities.
Books that cover the entire subject of gardeningware especially recommended for beginners who need to acquire an over-all understanding of gardening methods and plant materials. Special subject books such as how to grow roses and gladiolus and their culture are important to those who want to specialize in the growing of certain kinds or types of plants.
Many pleasant and productive hours can be spent before the gardening season begins in reading and learning. But dont expect to learn everything, dont expect reading to substitute for true gardening experience. Also, dont permit yourself to become too confused by contradictory statements that you will be sure to find if you read enough.
As in other things, experts do not always agree, and besides, there is more than one way to grow, handle seeds and plants. Sometimes methods exactly opposite to each other produce equally successful results.
For this and other good reasons, don't abandon a method that has proven successful for you for a new one, unless the latter has some very distinct advantages such as saving time and labor.
About the Author:
Join Keith Markensen at http://www.plant-care.com. It is time to remove the clouds of doubt on the topic of gardening season. |
