Valentines Day. In Zone 7. Well, maybe not this year...

In a normal Year February 14 is the First Day of Spring…For Plants Silly!!! 
(Add a Month for Each Zone North.)

As Southerners…we tend to think Easter or Mother's Day, and if we were planting Cotton or Sweet Potato's, we would be right. But with Ornamental (As well as Many Edible) Trees, Shrubs and Perennials if you watch carefully this year, 
You will see that they do Most of their Growing,  2-24'' Between Feb. 15 and April 15. (Possibly To June 15.) Here in Memphis TN. You can truly WATCH them grow!!!

So If Your Sweetie is really slipping up on Valentines Day with those Tired Old Bouquets from The Grocery Store…
Here are a few suggestions for Your Valentine...

Prune, Shear, Pleach and Stool…Trees, Shrubs and Vines…as Necessary.
Why?  No Snakes…No Bees…No Sweat…And the Plants are Naked and Easy To See.
I recommend "The Pruning Book" by Lee Reich.  (Available on our Website)
A New Pair of Felco #7 Shears and a Felco 600 Folding Saw Would Also Be Nice.
(Yes…also available on our Website….Shameless!)

Fertilize!   Every Year for Nelly's Sake.  Plants Like Food Too!  Lord Have Mercy!
I like to Mix a Balanced Organic Fertilizer (12-0-0 or 6-2-2 etc.) with a Balanced Chemical Fertilizer, 
(Generally 14-7-7 or 12-6-6)

Feed Valentines Day! so they can use it as soon as they start growing and you wont BURN anything.
Again on Easter…. And Again when the Kids go Back to School. 

(If ONLY ONCE…Then VALENTINES DAY.)  

Check with Vador Vance at Vador's Nursery  and Jim Crowder at Dan West In Memphis  about Fertilizers and Please Buy From Them…They are experts…and Priceless. Elsewhere Try your Local Independent Nursery.

You Need:
(1) A General Mix for Most Plants and Lawn,
(2) An Acid Mix for Azaleas, Camellias and Blue Hydrangeas, Oak Leaf and Arborescens
(3) A General Mix for Pink, and Red Hydrangea as well as Panicle Hydrangea
(4) A Flower Boosting Mix,  An Alkaline Mix for Figs and Clematis and Peonies. 
(5) Get Instructions….Write them on the Bags…Save Bags.
(The Above Directions are for Acid Soil….West Coast May differ…but this helps you ask the right questions.)

Perhaps also a Weed and Feed or Pre Emerge….(Corn Gluten Meal is awesome!!!)
After the WETTEST Year on record in Memphis…Insects Will have a Stellar year.
Try All Season Dormant Oil Spray…Organic. Read Directions. You will need to repeat applications. Neem Oil also helps. I would start in Feb. Then March, April, May and June.
When the Heat Comes on Back Off….So as not to damage plants.

O. K. First Fertilize and Pre Emerge…

Now Renew Your Mulch.   ONE SOLID INCH OF:
Leaf Compost if you want to Feed the Soil.
Hardwood Mulch if you want Weed Napalm.
Both if you like.
Or……3 Solid Inches of Pine Needles….Which is Both Food and Napalm.

Also Weed Free and Seed Free Grass Clipping equal their weight in Manure if you are so inclined. And Leaves collected with a Mower resemble Peat Moss and are equal in value.

For you on the West Coast… I sadly do not know what mulches are available, but perhaps this is a place to begin….I would love to hear what works for You!

Why in February you Query?  You can step on perennials and not damage them…Help is hungry for work and will be booked solid come March…No lines at Lowe's…and the Bulk Yards are not busy…Jones Bro's. and Natures Earth in the Memphis Area.

Lime and Fertilize your Lawn. Add Winter Rye Grass or Crimson Clover as an Early Season Green Cover Crop for Lawn.
(Let that seed come up a few inches…THEN you may use a Weed and Feed or Corn Gluten.)

One More Thing... Start A Compost! In the Middle of the Flower Bed!….Or In the Middle of the Front Yard!!!   Start a Revolution!!  Then Cover with Louffa Vines.  :)
(Hog Wire.  4x4x4' in Full Sun for Best Results.  2-3 parts dry brown things to 1-2 parts moist green stuff.
Think of Grass Clippings as a 6$ bag of Nitrogen…and Leaves as a 12$ Bag of Peat Moss.)  

Lastly Visit Our Website…Click on Articles For More Information.  www.gardensoyvey.com

Have a Great Gardening Year….and Thank You.

Diane Meucci