Garden Tips 'n' Tasks  
February
WSU Extension Snohomish County Master Gardeners
SCMG Education Outreach    
February GARDEN TIPS AND TASKS​
In anticipation of the warmth and light of spring, you can research seed preparation, as well as clean up, prune, and assess your existing plants.
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                                             SPOTLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE

PEST MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT - Viburnum leaf beetle, slug eggs, moles.
GENERAL OVERALL MAINTENANCE - Water issues; drainage, french drains, berms, swales.
EDIBLES - Winter clean-up, dormant spraying, winter pruning, starting vegetable seeds indoors, cool season crop planting with row cover protection.
​FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE - Ornamental grasses, cutting back ferns, pruning, hardwood cuttings for propagation, planting bare root trees, sowing sweet peas indoor
LAWNS - Keep off lawns; soggy lawns and soil compaction.
​PLANT OF THE MONTH JANUARY - Buttercup Winter Hazel (Corylopsis pauciflora).
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                                        PEST MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT

If ​the weather allows, check your trees and shrubs for damage.  Also keep an eye out for overwintering insect eggs.
  • Viburnum leaf beetle eggs are laid in a row of slits that can be seen on the underside of viburnum branches.  See the July Tips and Tasks, Pest Section, to learn more about this new invasive, very devastating insect.
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Slug eggs may be found underneath stones, garden debris, and  in pockets in the soil.  They look like opaque pearls.  Seek and destroy!
  • You may notice new mole mounds.  The mole may be moving through to a neighboring property.  In spring, it will be apparent if the mole has made your yard her home. 
  • In these long days anticipating spring tasks, you might consider downloading/purchasing the publications frequently used in diagnostic clinics.  
  • Be aware: Master Gardeners can only recommend pesticides approved by Washington State University (WSU), such as those listed in Hortsense.  
  • Published handbooks help to identify what is antagonizing your plant, how to use cultural controls, timing of pesticides, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.
  • Photo Credit, WSU Extension publication; Pest Watch: Viburnum Leaf Beetle.
  • Photo Credit, Slug Eggs, Vicki Sorg, WSU Snohomish County Master Gardener.
Keep in mind…
  • The Snohomish County WSU Master Gardener Office Clinic is open:
    • 11:00am to 3:00pm, Monday through Thursday, January – March.
    • 10:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Thursday, April – December.
    • The clinic is located in the Administration Building at Willis D. Tucker Park, 6705 Puget Park Dr., Snohomish, WA 98296.
  • Accurately identify the pest or problem. For help you can contact the Master Gardener hotline at 425-357-6010 or send an e-mail and photo to: snocomg@gmail.com. Below is a helpful website: 
  • Choose the least toxic options and use them judiciously.  Instead of pesticides/herbicides, consider cultural changes as well as physical or biological controls.  
  • Use chemical controls only when necessary.  
  • Thoroughly read the pesticide label to ensure safe handling.  
  • The label must state that the pesticide is for the problem you are addressing.
  • Be sure to take any unused pesticides to your local Household Hazardous Waste center for safe disposal. 
    • Washington State Department of Ecology website; Household Hazardous Waste & Moderate Risk Waste. 
  • https://ecology.wa.gov/Waste-Toxics/Community-waste-toxics/Household-hazardous-waste-MRW​
                                             GENERAL OVERALL MAINTENANCE
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While the days may be getting longer, your garden may still be in winter mode. The key is patience.
  • The January issue of Tips and Tasks, General Maintenance section, has information about winter care in your landscape. 
  • This is a great time to walk around your garden and look for water issues. 
    • Areas with standing water are likely to have poor drainage.  Locating these spots now will help you make plans for your garden. 
    • You may see signs of runoff or erosion, even on very slight slopes.
      • Check to see where the water from your downspout is going. It can be a source of drainage and erosion problems.
      • Slowing down the movement of water allows it to be absorbed into the soil, while diverting it can keep it from problem areas. 
      • French drains collect water in pipes and move it through gravel trenches.  Consult a professional for a job like this.  
      • Berms are raised areas that are used to slow down and divert water.  
      • Swales are shallow ditches that capture and hold water, where it can sink into the soil.  
      • Both swales and berms are elements that can be incorporated into your garden design and are relatively easy to create.  For details and instructions see:
      • Consider adding a rain garden.
EDIBLES
Maintenance / Clean-up 
  • Continue winter clean-up. If vegetables survived severe winter weather, leave them in place. They may put out sprouts in the spring that will give you a head start on salad makings.
  • Fruit trees are dormant now and February is a good time to use dormant sprays and do winter pruning. See the January Tips and Tasks for more information on these topics.
  • If you plan to start vegetable seeds indoors, this is a good time to prepare your space, check equipment (lights, seed trays, heat mats, etc.), and purchase seeds if needed.
Planting / Propagation  
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE
Maintenance / Clean-up 
  • Check the base of ornamental grasses.  If you see signs of new green sprouts (this may happen anytime from February to April), cut back the dead stems just above the new growth.  Wait to see the new sprouts!
    • Birds will appreciate the standing grass seed heads, and insects often shelter there. 
    • The frost-killed grass blades also protect the tender emerging shoots from frosts and rabbit nibbling. 
  • Cut back the foliage of most ferns before the fiddleheads emerge   This is not necessary for the health of the fern, but gives a cleaner look as new fronds develop.
Planting / Propagation 
​LAWNS
February is an excellent time to heed those “Keep Off the Grass” signs.  Too much traffic this month can damage dormant lawns and compact the soggy soil beneath.  Though the weather may remain wet and chilly, time spent off the grass can instead be used to observe and plan: 
  • How can I get rid of the puddles that remain after a rainy day?
  • Should I be growing grass on this steep slope?
  • What can I do to improve the look of scraggly paths created by my family and pets?
  • Can grass grow well in this much shade?
  • Is my lawn too close to the creek running at the edge of my property?
  • Should I apply lime?  
    • February is too early because of potential frost.
    • Test your lawn soil first to see if it is needed.
For help with these and other questions, see the Lawn section of January Tips and Tasks:
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                            PLANT OF THE MONTH - FEBRUARY
                                     Buttercup Winter Hazel
                                      Corylopsis pauciflora
                             (kor-ih-LAWP-sis paw-si-FLO-ra)

  • Buttercup winter hazel is a stunning member of the Hamamelis family that provides a year-round show.
  • Small red buds form on bare branches and open to racemes of soft yellow bell-shaped flowers.
  • Lightly fragrant blossoms appear in late February to early March and can persist for several weeks. 
  • Heart-shaped, rough-textured leaves with a pink blush emerge after flowering, then change to dark green when mature.  In the fall, we get another splash of color as the leaves turn yellow.
  • It matures to a densely branched, vase-shaped shrub, 4-6 ft wide and tall, with a slow to moderate growth rate.
  • It’s perfect for part shade or woodland settings.  It can also tolerate a sunny, but not too hot, location as well.
  • A garden with fertile, well-drained soil is the best location, but winter hazel is not too picky and will tolerate anything but heavy clay. 
  • Once established deep watering should suffice.  For extended summer dry periods more frequent watering might be needed.
  • With its bright burst of color, winter hazel is sure to brighten up those dreary, gray days of late winter. 
  • Photo Credit, Buttercup Winterhazel, Karen Panek, WSU Snohomish County Master Gardener.