Time to Prune
February is the time to prune those roses. Roses can be pruned from February 15 to March 15. Remove dead and diseased parts of the plant first. Follow this by removing weak canes or branches that are growing toward the center of the plant. Nov is also the time to prune abelia hibiscus, oleander, butterfly bush, shrub althea and crepe myrtle. You should NOT prune spring flowering trees and shrubs this time of year. Some spring flowering trees and shrubs are azaleas, camellia, spireas, Indian hawthorne, wisteria, dogwoods redbud magnolia and fringe tree.
Selecting and Dividing Perennials
It is not too early to divide those perennials that bloom during the second half of the summer. The list below will get you started. Blanketflowers, chrysanthemum, Japanese anemone, asters, yarrow, daylilies, hosta and garden phlox can all be dug and divided now.
Selecting great performing perennials for Mississippi gardens can be a daunting task when you enter the garden center this spring and are faced with so many choices. Based on observance and recommendations of Master Gardeners statewide you can't go wrong choosing a cultivar of the following genera: hosta, daylily, yarrow, salvia coralbells, verbena (all perennial types except V. bonariensis, which can be invasive) and stokesia.
Control Spring Weeds
To get a jump on all those warm season weeds that will be germinating soon in your landscape beds, you can apply pre-emerge herbicides in late February. Follow label directions carefully and do not apply around any landscape plants that are not listed on the label. Remember that pre-emerge herbicides will kill emerging flower seed as well as weed seed, so if you rely on volunteer seedlings to replenish your flower beds, do not apply these herbicide granules to those beds. Preen is one of several name brand pre-emergence herbicides that is safe when applied correctly around many landscape plants.
Fertilizing Fruit Trees
February is the time to fertilize your fruit trees. There are different rates depending on the age and type of the fruit tree.
For apple and pear trees:
1st year - 1 pound complete fertilizer + 1/4 pound of ammonium nitrate
2nd year - 2 pounds complete fertilizer + 1/2 pound of ammonium nitrate
3rd year - 3 pounds complete fertilizer + 3/4 pound of ammonium nitrate
4th year - 4 pounds complete fertilizer + 1 pound of ammonium nitrate
5th year - 5 pounds complete fertilizer + 1 1/2 pounds of ammonium nitrate
After apple and pear trees reach bearing age (over 4 to 5 years of age), apply only a complete fertilizer (such as 13-13-13). Usually 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer -- per inch of diameter of the tree measured just above the soil line -- are adequate.
For peaches, nectarines and plums:
First year - Apply one pound of a complete fertilizer (e.g. 13-13-13) 6 to 8 inches from the base of the tree.
Second year - Apply 2 pounds of a complete fertilizer (13-13-13) 12 to 15 inches from the base.
Third year- Apply 4 pounds of a complete fertilizer (13-13-13) 2 to 4 feet from the base of the tree. Apply half of the fertilizer in late February and the remaining half in late April.
For mature or bearing trees, fertilize at the rate of 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of a complete fertilizer per year of age until trees are 8 to 10 years old. Then apply 8 to 10 pounds per tree annually.
For more information, stop by the Choctaw County Extension Office for Extension Publications IS1433 and IS1434.
