Central Texas Gardening: February

February is when spring gardening really gets going in Central Texas. It might be hard to get motivated, but remember every day without gardening is a day lost because our planting window is so narrow. Once the hot weather hits, our bodies want to be back on the couch.

The first week of February is a good time to seed all cool weather crops such as cabbage, broccoli, beets, carrots, lettuce, turnips, Swiss chard, peas, spinach and radishes. If you haven't already started the plants indoors or in a greenhouse, then you can plant them directly in the soil now. Also, this is the time to set out onion plants.

If you have to move a shrub or perennial, the first of February is the time to dig it up and get it relocated. Don't wait any longer to plant bare root or container grown fruit and nut trees.

The second week of February is potato planting time. Also, this is the time to prune everything that needs pruning except plants that bloom in the spring such as spirea or azaleas. All dead plants need to be removed from the garden as they may be harboring bad bugs from last season.

Spread a one-inch layer of compost over all planting areas including the lawn, if possible.

By the third week of February your winter annuals such as snapdragons or pansies may be looking like they need some help. Fertilize with a water soluble fertilizer and side dress with a handful of compost.

Remember to use Bt or Spinosad for control of all worms on cool weather crops. Control aphids with neem oil.

More gardening info and book, plant, seed and bulb sources at: http://www.biglump.com