Mother Nature may be taking a snooze this time of year, but that doesn't mean you can. February brings its share of challenging chores for gardeners, many relating to the weather.
If snow cover is light in your area, you may need to add extra mulch, such as a thick layer of straw or evergreen branches, to protect landscape plants.
Just make sure you don't put straw around woody plants if mice are nearby as they'll nest in the straw and strip the bark off the plants, which often results in the death of plants. You also can place wooden teepees over precious perennials or windbreaks around trees and shrubs for protection.
If snowfall is heavy, keep your roof raked between snow storms to prevent problems with ice build up that may not only damage the roof but the landscape plants growing under the eaves.
When raking the roof, try not to pull that load of snow directly onto landscape plants below the eves as the force of the falling snow can crush plants and break branches unless already covered by a deep layer of natural snowfall. Again, teepee-shaped wooden frames may be your best protection.
To prevent injury to plants from the settling snow, gently scoop the snow away from the plant with a shovel. Then, with gloved hands, carefully remove the snow from the branches.
When shoveling your walks and driveway, put the snow on your perennial plantings as this is a good insulator. Just avoid, if possible, piling several feet of snow on them when plowing since it will take so long to melt in spring. And don't dump snow on them if harmful salt is mixed in.
Pay extra attention to the needs of winter birds. If you are feeding them, check feeders every few days and fill as needed. Black oil sun flower seed and white millet will attract cardinals, goldfinches, black-capped chickadees, purple finches, white-breasted nuthatches, and other birds to your yard.
Corn on the ear, shelled, or cracked is a favorite of many other species including blue jays and mourning doves. Put out suet cakes for the woodpeckers.
Don't forget to clean the feeders periodically as moldy seed can make birds ill. Flush out old seed and debris then scrub with a mixture of water and chlorine bleach (one ounce of bleach per gallon of water). Rinse well and allow to dry before adding new seed.
In between cleanings, when refilling hanging feeders, shake to dislodge compacted seed. Dump out wet clumps of old seed. Sweep hulls off platform feeders daily.
If possible, provide a source of water for the birds. A heated birdbath is ideal. Purchase one with an automatic shut-off valve or heat cycling on-off switch, which will prevent damage to the birdbath if goes dry. Use a grounded, three pronged outlet to prevent the possibility of electrocution.
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