February 2003

Edible

Take stock of leftover seeds. Get them organized and do germination testing. Even under ideal conditions, some vegetable seeds have a short life span. These include sweet corn, onion and parsnip.

Save time when the growing season is in full swing by sorting seed packets by season. Put each group (transplants, early, middle, late) into its own box. In each box group packets into early, middle and late sub-sections. When sowing time comes, there will be no lost time searching for seed.

Handle seed packets carefully. Rubbing the outside of the packet to check how many seeds are inside can break the seed coat and reduce germination.

Start seeds indoors for cool season vegetables so they will be ready for transplanting to the garden early in the season. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage seeds should be started five to seven weeks prior to transplanting.

Order celtuce seeds for growing as a substitute for celery. It looks like a cross between celery and lettuce. Celtuce needs less water than celery and can be direct seeded along with summer crops. Young leaves are good in salads.

Purchase floating row cover fabric to grow your greens and cabbage under. This lightweight cover will keep insects out for the entire growing season, but allow light through for growth.

Ornamental

Prune deciduous trees and shrubs now through mid-March. Remove any dead or diseased branches. Remove all water sprouts and suckers. Water sprouts are stems that grow at right angles to the branches. Suckers grow from the base of the tree. Prune out crossing or rubbing branches. Prune back to a bud or a branch. When cutting back to a bud, make sure the bud is facing outward. This will cause new growth to grow to the outside of the plant.

Provide fresh water for birds. Electric heaters can be purchased for birdbaths. Ideally birdbaths should be at ground level, but if predators are a problem, put the birdbath two or three feet above ground. Water should be about three inches deep in the birdbath. Adding rocks and branches to the bath will allow the birds to drink without getting wet during cold weather.

Prune summer flowering clematis if needed. Clematis that blooms in the summer may be pruned to six to twelve inches above the ground. Spring blooming clematis should be pruned after flowering.

Choose cut roses for Valentine’s Day with clean and sharp color. Look for flowers with petals that are just starting to open. Check for buds that are springy to the touch. A rosebud that is very tight is known as a “bullhead” and will never open.

Do not rush out and buy chemical controls for grubs in your lawn. Grub controls should be applied in the summer not the spring. Grub eggs usually do not hatch until July and damage (browning of the grass) occurs in August. If you had grub damage last year, get up from your chaise lounge and mark your calendar for a July or early August application.

Return grass clippings this upcoming mowing season to your lawn. A recent study has shown that the added clippings improve growth up to five percent, improve nitrogen efficiency up to 150 percent and improve turf color.

Kill fluffy white mealybugs on houseplants by touching them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.

Register for classes at the third annual Garden Faire at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences at 3857 West 111th Street on Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 773-233-0476 for more information.