February in the Desert Garden

February is the turning point — the last frosts pass, deciduous plants wake up, and it’s your last clean window to prune and feed before the spring flush begins.

What To Do in February

Grass

• Ryegrass is at its lushest — mow regularly at 1½ to 2 inches and keep it fed if you want deep green.
• Start planning your spring transition; Bermuda will begin waking as the soil warms late in the month.

Trees & Shrubs

• Finish dormant pruning early in the month, before new growth pushes.
• Give citrus the first of its three yearly feedings around Valentine’s Day — the local rule of thumb is Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
• Once the frost danger passes (usually mid-February in the low desert), prune the frost-damaged growth off bougainvillea, lantana, and other tender plants.
• Keep planting trees, shrubs, and roses — roots establish fast in the mild soil.

Flowers

• Toward the end of the month, plant warm-season transplants: petunias, geraniums, marigolds, and snapdragons.
• Wildflowers sown in fall should be blooming — hold off on cutting them back.
• Fertilize established roses as they leaf out.

Vegetables

• Get a jump on warm-season crops in protected spots — set out tomato, pepper, and eggplant transplants late in the month.
• Keep sowing beets, carrots, lettuce, radishes, and peas early in February.
• Plant potatoes, and get in one more round of onions.

Don’t Make These Garden Mistakes in February

1. Don’t prune tender plants until you’re sure the last frost has passed — a late cold snap can still bite in early February.
2. Don’t set out heat-loving vegetables too early; one cold night will stall or kill young tomatoes and peppers.
3. Don’t forget the Valentine’s Day citrus feeding — skipping the first feed shows up as a weaker crop.
4. Don’t let weeds go to seed; pull or hoe them now, before spring warmth triggers a flush.
5. Don’t over-prune spring bloomers — wait until after they flower.