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February Gardening and Landscaping Tips

Despite the massive amounts of snow we have received within the last week, today we will be talking about some gardening tips for the month of February. It is never too late to start preparing for spring and lightening your to do list for the warmer weather!

Prepare Yourself

Do inventory and order seeds:

Be sure to check your seed supplies. The earlier you order your seeds the better the selection will be! Do not forget to plan for your fall plantings as well! 

Inspect and maintain your tools:

Get ahead of the game by sharpening your cutting and digging tools now. For any sharpening jobs that you cannot do, take your tools to a local hardware store that offers blade sharpening. Make sure your power tools are running as they should be.

Review your gardening supplies:

There are other items to think about other than seeds and plants! Purchase your potting soil, weed cloth, mulch, plant markers, frost blankets, and other supplies that may be running low.

Toss the trash:

Inspect any tubers, roots, or corms you stored for winter. Compost any that are growing mold or going soft. 

Prepare Your Yard

• Pick a warm day to prune your landscape plants. Remove any dead or damaged branches. Thin any plants with heavily branched interiors.
• Do not prune shrubs or trees that flower in the spring until after they bloom. If you prune them to early, you will be cutting off the blossoms!
• Do not prune oaks and walnuts until July to help avoid wilt disease.
• Some trees will bleed sap profusely if pruned in the spring. It doesn’t harm the tree, but it will make a mess. Wait to prune maple, birch and dogwood trees until early summer.

Six Plants to Plant Now to Repel Mosquitoes Later!

In this cold weather I am sure you haven’t thought much about those pesky Mosquitoes that find you in the warmer months. But to prevent this from happening later this year, you will have to plan ahead… or should I say plant ahead. 

By planting the following plants in container plants or in your garden, you will repel mosquitoes! 

Some other plants you can consider using are Horesemint, Lemon Balm, Citronella, and Ageratum! Be sure to try this and tell us if it works!

5 Tips for Growing Succulents

Succulents are great plants to grow inside and out. Not only are they easy to maintain, but they have a fun modern look as well! If you are looking for a way to add some nature to your home, take a look at these five tips for growing succulents like a pro!

1. Look for the light!

Succulents need lots of light, so try placing or planting them on the south for  exceptional sun and warmth. If the leaves begin to change colour and turn brown or white, then it’s time to move them somewhere with less sun as it can be too overpowering. 

2. Don’t worry about the temperature.

Succulents can grow in temperatures anywhere between 50 and 90 degress. As long as they are given time to slowly adjust to the environment, they will flourish. So don’t worry about the temperature as long as you give your plants to gradually adjust to it.

3. Don’t let them get thirsty!

During the summer months, succulents need more water due to the warm weather. Although the soil should never be soaked, it should stay damp. During the colder months, the plant will slowdown in growth and won’t require as much water. You can even cut the watering down to half! 

4. Choose superior soil.

Make sure the soil you choose is designed specifically for cacti. Succulents will thrive in this soil as it fast draining and helps the root system. This type of soil will give your plants the nutrients it needs! 

5. Only fertilize in the warmer months.

You can fertilize your succulents like you would any other houseplant during the summer months. These plants do not need fertilization during the winter months though, as your succulents are in “hibernation” and do not need the extra nutrients. 

Growing succulents is very easy and even more enjoyable! They require a bit more care in the summer months, but they are pretty low maintenance during the winter months. These tips can work for growing succulents inside or out! Give it a try and see how easy it is to grow your own succulents!

Five Ways to Use Coffee Grounds in Your Garden

As an avid coffee lover, I am faced with one of the same problems as many of you. We finish brewing a pot of coffee and we are left with a pile of useless coffee grounds that end up tossed in the trash. But what if I told you, you could use those coffee grounds to make your gardening job easier. Coffee grounds can help your plants grow healthier and stronger. Here are five other ways to use coffee grounds in your garden:

1.       Make a worm farm.

Why do you want a worm farm? Well, worms will turn and aerate your soil for you which make less work for you! Take a bucket, add some soil, your coffee grounds and a few worms. Then add the mixture around your plants and the worms will do all the hard work!

2.       Pump up your compost.

Did you know coffee grounds are full of nitrogen? Nitrogen is what your compost needs to be its best. When you are done with you coffee grounds, simply put them in your compost bin and give it a good stir.

3.       Send your pests packing.

If you sprinkle coffee grounds around the perimeter of your garden and flower beds, pests won’t want to cross it. Slugs, snails, and other bugs won’t want to climb over the acidic mixture, leaving your gardens pest free.

4.       Make your own fertilizer.

To make your own fertilizer, add half a cup of coffee grounds per one gallon of water. Mix it well and allow the mixture to sit for about twenty-four hours and ferment. Pour the mixture around the base of your plants. The plants will love their homemade fertilizer and it is completely safe for children, and pets playing in the yard.

5.       Fight off fungus.

Coffee grounds are a great way to fight off various funguses that will grow on your plants. All you have to do is sprinkle the ground directly into your soil. As the grounds break down in the soil, it will help fight various molds and fungus that could be fighting your plants.

Coffee is my daily pick me up, and now it can be the same for your plants. Try using coffee grounds in your garden and see what results it gives!