In Florida and other frost-free regions,
summer bulbs such as crinum, agapanthus,
dahlia, gloriosa, gladiolus, and canna can
be planted now. Site them where they will
receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct
sunlight a day. Their only other requirement
is well-drained soil that doesn’t remain wet
and soggy after heavy rains. Mulch the
bulbs to protect them from an unexpected
cold snap and to minimize weeds. Enjoy
bulb flowers weeks earlier by purchasing
pre-sprouted plants at your local garden
center. Bulbs are a snap to grow, but some
take a while to break dormancy, so potted
plants will jumpstart the color show.
If it’s too cold to garden outdoors in
February, why not make a terrarium? Costa
Farms suggests looking for clear-glass
containers that have a lid or stopper that
will help maintain a humid atmosphere
around your plants. For plants such as
succulents that prefer a drier climate, select
a large, open-mouthed container. Then,
look for plants that remain compact. Good
choices for a moist environment include
pilea, peperomia, ivy, artillery fern, button
fern, baby tears and creeping fig. For an
open container try cactus, succulents,
hens-and-chicks, jade plant, hoya and
bromeliad.
And don’t forget to feed the birds in
February. By late winter many natural food
sources for local birds will begin to thin out.
It’s important to keep your bird feeders fully
stocked until spring. Offer a variety of foods
to attract the widest selection of bird
species. Black oil sunflowers, for example,
draw cardinals, blue jays, juncos, and a
host of other species. Beef suet is ideal for
woodpeckers, mockingbirds, and
nuthatches. And Nyjer seed is a finch
favorite. Also, include a diverse selection of
feeders such as tube, hopper, and platform
to accommodate the feeding habits of
different bird species. During winter you can
often attract more songbirds to fresh water
than you can to food. Use a heater to keep
the water in your birdbath from freezing and
add fresh water every few days.
No comments:
Post a Comment