Outdoor
Begin pulling visible weeds now to save time for later.  It will be much easier if you do it when the ground is wet.  Beware that you don’t compact and damage your soil.  Check your trees for broken branches.  If you find some, cut them off as close as possible to the main branch.  For those of you with greenhouses, now is the time to open the ventilators on the lee side of your greenhouse.  Be sure to avoid drafts.    
Plant half hardy plants densely.  Sow seeds in late February or early March.  Ageratum, Asters and Candy Tuft can be planted indoors.  Sweet Alyssum, Bachelor’s Button and Calendula can be sown outdoors in an open, sunny ground.  Now is also the time to start perpetual-flowering carnations in pots, but make sure to avoid giving them high temperatures. 

In late February, fertilize the soil area around the base of your lilac bushes, strawberry plants and primrose.  As foliage appears on your tulips, fertilize.  Be sure to do a second application after flowering.  All spring-flowering bulbs should be fertilized now. 

Deciduous shrubs and trees are still dormant, so you can still transplant them in February, but once the buds have begun to swell, you will have to leave them be until next season. 

If you didn’t feed your trees last fall, you will need to do so now.  Punch a series of 1 to 2 inch holes two feet apart around the drip line.  Fill with the appropriate food.  Fertilize shrubs and evergreens mid to late February.  Flowering shrubs should be pruned, but avoid pruning spring bloomers, or you’ll have less flowers.  Apply dormant oil fruit spray. 

Tip:  Put a board on the ground alongside the area where you are working to walk on while weeding. 

February Project:  Plan and create a new rock garden.  Make sure it’s positioned in a sunny area.  Tip the stones back slightly to ensure proper draining.