Mid-South: February 2015

Well, we're starting with rain after the last few beautiful days...  But at least it's fairly warm.

Don't know about the rest of you in this area, but I'm having trouble getting out!  (This is our business' busy season, so I DO have a good excuse...  Unfortunately!)

I'll be starting my seeds in a few days (if I can get out of the office/classroom).  Already I'm behind...  sigh....

According to Gardenate.com, here's what we can be planting this month:

Planting now in February for the USA - Zone 7b zone

Artichokes (Globe)	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from January.
Asparagus	Plant in garden.	Harvest from 24 months.
Beetroot (also Beets)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Broccoli	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Brussels sprouts	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from June.
Cabbage	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, )	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from June.
Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers)	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from May.
Carrot	Plant in garden.	Harvest from June.
Cauliflower	Plant in garden.	Harvest from July.
Celeriac	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from June.
Celery	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from July.
Chicory (also Witloof, Belgian endive)	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from July.
Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers)	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from May.
Collards (also Collard greens, Borekale)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Corn Salad (also Lamb's lettuce or Mache)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Eggplant (also Aubergine)	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from June.
Kale (also Borecole)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Leeks	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from July.
Lettuce	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Marrow	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from June.
Mint (also Garden mint)	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from May.
Mizuna (also Japanese Greens, Mitzuna, Mibuna)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Mustard greens (also gai choy)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Onion	Plant in garden.	Harvest from September.
Parsnip	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from July.
Potato	Plant in garden.	Harvest from July.
Pumpkin	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from July.
Radish	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Rhubarb	Plant in garden.	Harvest from 12 months.
Silverbeet (also Swiss Chard or Mangold)	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from May.
Spinach (also English spinach)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Strawberries (from seeds)	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from 12 months.
Tomato	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from May.
Turnip	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.

Organicgardening.com has a list of garden "chores" to do this month:

February To-Do List for Zone 7

• When you see the first crocus open, consider it time to set out transplants of lettuce, cabbages, and onions; cover them on cold nights.
  
• In the garden, sow seeds of radishes and cold-hardy lettuces.
  
• When daffodils "pop," plant seeds of spinach, turnips, and peas.
  
• Cover the pea bed with clear plastic until sprouts begin to emerge; then, immediately switch to a floating row cover to protect the seedlings from weather and birds.
  
• Start herb seeds indoors under lights.
  
• Also indoors, start seeds of annual flowers—such as ageratum, petunia, and snapdragons—that need 8 to 10 weeks to reach transplant size.
  

The Old Farmer's Almanac covers all of the SE:

Gardening Tips for the Southeast Region for February

Location:  
ZIP/Postal Code or City,State
Month: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec


Temperatures can drop to freezing this month; annuals that can take the chill include pansies, viola, and dianthus.
Clean your annual and perennial flower beds. Add compost to the soil and add more mulch to the beds.
Bulbs can still be planted. Water well and apply mulch for protection. Try dahlias!
Continue to deadhead flowers, such as pansies.
Put down mulch across all garden beds to control for weeds.
Divide and replant crowded perennials after they emerge.
Fertilize spring-blooming bulbs.
Finish planting shrubs and trees. Fertilize.
If not done in January, fertilize established fruit trees now.
Prune dormant trees. Avoid pruning citrus until the spring.
Prune shrubs now; wait to prune spring-flowering shrubs until after they bloom.
Fertilize established fruit trees. Continue planting dormant fruit trees.
Plant more vegetables, such as lettuce, cabbage, collards, onion sets, brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, spinach, kale, mustard greens, radishes, turnips, peas, and beets.
Plant Irish potatoes now! Plant 3 inches deep.
Plant asparagus.
Replenish mulch on strawberries.
Start your indoor seed boxes of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and cauliflower indoors.
Prune roses to remove damaged canes. Then fertilize and apply mulch for protection.
Divide and transplant perennial herbs.
Seed herbs for April planting.
You can fertilize your houseplants with a water-soluble fertilizer when they show new growth.
After temperatures rise to 65 degrees F for 4 to 5 days, apply a pre-emergent weed killer to prevent warm-season weeds.
Regularly mow your lawn at recommended heights (St. Augustine and Bahia: 3 to 4 inches; Centipede: 1.5 to 2 inches; Dwarf St. Augustine: 2.5 inches).


Gotta get back to work!  I'm not watching the Superbowl...  REALLY...!

Oh, my, it got cold again yesterday!  The wind was howling!  But NO SNOW!

Got sunshine again today, but it's only in the mid-30's.

Managed to finally take the time to seed some Amish Paste tomatoes & mini-bells yesterday.  Should be able to get more done today.

How's everyone else doing in the Mid-South?

I guess I will delay planting my peas, potatoes and lettuce until the end of Feb.  Give the temps time to moderate and the soil to warm up a little.

I covered my garlic, shallots, kale, brussel sprouts and leeks last night and probably for the next few nights.

Yeah, I noticed Glen Burns was talking a little snow in my area in the next couple of days...

Still nothing like they've got up north, thank the Lord...!