By Nell Reed
Oklahoma County Extension Master Gardener
All it takes for some of us to get Spring Fever is one nice day in February. Although February is too early for planting, there are many tasks such as those listed below that can be done on a beautiful February day. Tasks that may need to be done are listed below along with applicable fact sheets containing additional information that are available at http://osufacts.okstate.edu.
Base fertilizer application on a soil test. Soil test instructions and cost are available at the following link http://oces.okstate.edu/oklahoma/horticulture-1/Start%20With%20a%20Soil%20Sample.pdf.
Fertilize ornamental, fruit and nut trees and shrubs annually. (HLA-6112—Fertilizing Shade and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs);
Finish pruning shade trees, summer flowering shrubs and hedges. Spring blooming shrubs such a forsythia may be pruned immediately after flowering. (HLA-6409—Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs);
Many bare-rooted trees and shrubs should be planted in February or early-March. (HLA-6414—Planting Shade Trees and Shrubs);
Begin the vegetable garden with cool-season crops such as potatoes, onions, and radishes. (HLA-6004—Oklahoma Garden Planning Guide);
Dormant oil can still be applied to control mites, galls, overwintering aphids, etc. (EPP-7306—Ornamental and Lawn Pest Control);
Spray peaches and nectarines with a fungicide for prevention of peach leaf curl before bud swell. (EPP- 7319—Home Tree Fruit Production and Pest Management);
A product containing glyphosate plus a broadleaf herbicide can be used on dormant Bermuda in January or February when temperatures are above 50 degrees F for winter weed control. (HLA-6421—Controlling Weeds in Home Lawns);
Pre-emergent crabgrass control chemicals can still be applied to cool and warm season turf grasses. Heed label cautions when using any weed killers near or in the root zone of desirable plantings. (HLA- 6421—Controlling Weeds in Home Lawns); and
Place Nantucket pine tip moth pheromone traps by March 1.