February Tasks for a Flourishing Spring

February is a transformative month for gardeners in Tucson, Arizona. With Valentine’s Day often marking the region’s average last frost date, it signals the beginning of spring preparations. This transitional period is ideal for planting, pruning, fertilizing, and general garden upkeep. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure your garden thrives in the upcoming season.

Understanding Tucson’s February Climate

Tucson’s February temperatures typically range from lows in the mid-30s to highs in the 60s or 70s. Although Valentine’s Day is often celebrated as the last frost date, occasional frosts can occur. It’s wise to keep frost blankets or other protective materials handy for tender plants. Monitoring local forecasts can help you safeguard your garden from unexpected cold snaps.

Planting Recommendations

February is an excellent time to plant a variety of vegetables, flowers, and trees:

Vegetables:

• Cool-season crops: Continue planting leafy greens like spinach, kale, and lettuce. Root crops such as radishes, carrots, and beets can also go into the ground early in the month.
• Warm-season preparation: Plant starts for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants after the 14th, but keep an eye on the forecast for cold snaps.

Flowers:

• Plant hardy annuals like snapdragons, calendula, viola, and pansies for early color.

Trees and Shrubs:

• February is ideal for planting citrus and other fruit trees. Make sure to choose varieties suited for Tucson’s climate, such as semi-dwarf citrus or desert-adapted species like pomegranate and fig.
• This is also the perfect month to plant native and low-water-use shrubs.

Texas Mountain Laurels:

Texas mountain laurels are a stunning addition to Tucson gardens, with their late winter display of vibrant purple flowers and drought tolerance. However, these shrubs are susceptible to infestations of genista caterpillars, which can defoliate the plant.

Preventing Caterpillar Damage:

• Regularly inspect your Texas mountain laurels for signs of caterpillar activity, such as chewed leaves or the presence of small green or yellow caterpillars.
• Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural and safe biological pesticide, at the first sign of caterpillars. Bt is most effective on young larvae and poses minimal risk to beneficial insects.
• Encourage natural predators like birds by providing a welcoming habitat with birdbaths and native plants.
• Keep the area around the base of the plant clean of fallen leaves and debris, which can harbor caterpillar eggs and larvae.
• For severe infestations, consider pruning heavily infested branches and disposing of them properly.

Propagating Succulents:

Succulents thrive in Tucson’s dry climate and are easy to propagate in February as the days begin to warm. Use healthy leaves or offsets (baby plants) from mature succulents.

Steps for propagation:

• Gently twist off a healthy leaf or remove offsets with clean shears.
• Let the cuttings dry for a few days in a shaded, airy location to allow calluses to form over the cut ends.
• Place the cuttings on well-draining succulent soil and water sparingly until roots develop. Avoid overwatering to prevent rot.
• Once roots form and growth begins, transplant into pots or your garden.

Popular succulents for propagation include jade plants, echeverias, and agaves.

Preparing the Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden. February is the time to prepare your beds for planting:

• Amend with organic matter: Add well-composted manure, leaf mold, or compost to improve soil structure and nutrient content.
• Check pH levels: Tucson soils can be alkaline. If needed, incorporate sulfur to lower the pH.
• Cultivate the soil: Loosen compacted soil with a garden fork or tiller to enhance aeration and drainage.
• Apply mulch: Use a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Avoid piling mulch against tree trunks or plant stems to prevent rot.

Pruning Tasks

February is a critical month for pruning various plants:

Grapevines:

Grapevines require annual pruning to maintain productivity and health. Identify the main canes that will serve as the framework for the vine. Remove 90% of the previous year’s growth, leaving 1-2 buds on spurs spaced evenly along the main cane.

Pruning ensures optimal fruit size and ripening while improving sunlight penetration and airflow. Use sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts, and remove any damaged, diseased, or overly crowded canes.

Fruit Trees:

Prune deciduous fruit trees like apples, peaches, plums, and pears before buds begin to swell. Focus on creating an open-center structure by removing branches that grow inward, cross others, or block sunlight from reaching the tree’s center.

Use loppers or a pruning saw for thicker branches, and always cut at a slight angle near the branch collar. Remove deadwood, water sprouts, and suckers, which can drain energy from the tree.

For stone fruits such as peaches and plums, thinning cuts help prevent overbearing and ensure better fruit quality.

Roses:

Roses benefit from a thorough pruning in late winter. Start by removing dead, damaged, or diseased canes, cutting them back to healthy wood. Look for outward-facing buds and make cuts at a 45-degree angle about 1/4 inch above these buds.

Shape the bush by removing any canes that cross or crowd the center. Aim to leave 3-5 strong, evenly spaced canes for a balanced structure. This approach improves air circulation and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.

After pruning, clean up debris around the base of the rose bush and apply a fresh layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Fertilizing Citrus on Valentine’s Day

Mid-February is the traditional time to fertilize citrus trees in Tucson. Choose a citrus-specific fertilizer or a balanced fertilizer with a 2:1:1 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Application tips:

• Water the tree thoroughly before and after applying fertilizer.
• Spread the fertilizer evenly around the tree’s drip line (not near the trunk).
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommended rates based on the tree’s age and size.

Additional February Tasks

Start Weed Control:

• With warmer days, weeds like spurge and foxtail start appearing. Remove them early to prevent competition for nutrients and water.
• Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed seeds from germinating.

Watering Adjustments:

• While February may still see rain, monitor soil moisture and adjust irrigation as needed. Deep watering promotes strong root systems.

Cold Protection:

• If frost is forecasted, protect tender plants with frost cloth or by covering them with buckets or cardboard boxes overnight.

Pest and Disease Management:

• Inspect plants for pests like aphids, scale, and spider mites. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Look for signs of fungal diseases, especially after wet weather. Prune affected foliage and apply fungicides if necessary.

Use Dormant Oil Sprays:

• Apply dormant oil to fruit trees and shrubs to control overwintering pests like scale, aphids, and mites.
• Dormant oil suffocates insects and their eggs while being less harmful to beneficial insects.
• Apply on a calm day when temperatures are above 40°F and no rain is forecast for 24 hours.

Start Composting:

• February is a good time to establish a compost pile if you don’t already have one. Use kitchen scraps, yard waste, and shredded paper to create rich organic matter for future use.

Planning for the Growing Season

Take some time this month to:

• Map out your garden beds for spring and summer planting.
• Purchase or order seeds and transplants if you haven’t already.
• Clean and repair gardening tools to ensure they’re ready for the busy months ahead.

February in Tucson is the perfect month to set the stage for a productive and beautiful garden. With tasks like planting, pruning, soil preparation, and citrus fertilization, your garden will be primed for success. As you celebrate Valentine’s Day, take a moment to appreciate the love and care you’re investing in your garden. The fruits (and flowers) of your labor will flourish in the months to come.