February Garden Calendar

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Take advantage of milder days

Force branches. Once spring-blooming branches start to develop the tiniest buds, cut them and bring them indoors for forcing. These include forsythia, redbud, pussy willow, crabapple and more. Just soak the branches in a tub of cold water for a few hours, then arrange in a vase and watch them open over the next several days.

Prune. In the southern Midwest, the occasional mild day is a good time to prune most trees and shrubs. (Wait with roses until tiny red buds that will turn into stems start to shoot out.)

Think about a cold frame. It's a great way to get a head start on sowing lettuces, spinaches, radishes and more! See the link below for instructions to help you build a simple version.

Pictured: Pussy willow branches and mums.