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Tom's Monthly Gotta-Do's

You know Florida, it can be cold one day and warm the next. In fact we could go the rest of the
winter without another freeze. It has happened before. But I guess what we all want to know is
what do we do with the cold damaged plants?

My tomatoes are toast. That means they did not survive even with the covers we added. And it only
dropped a few degrees below freezing. These are some really cold sensitive plants which also
include coleus, marigolds, pentas and such. All are being pulled out and replaced in just a month
or two. By the way, now is the time to start your new tomato seedlings. My seeds have arrived and
are now up and growing.

Some plants like the bananas might not produce a crop this year but are going to grow back. Maybe
if I am very lucky the trunk is still good and the bud in the top is alive. If we do not get that
much more cold, the bud may send out new leaves and later a flower stalk. That means we could still
get bananas from these plants.

The cannas look bad but a good cold snap just sends them into a dormant state. They will be back
with the first consistently warm weather. I just hope this is not until the middle to late February
or they are going to be injured again.

Here is the big question. When can I start pruning all the dead away? I personally do not believe
the dead portions help to protect the plants. On the other hand, I don't see where there is a need
to be in a rush to do the pruning. But if you are like me you cannot stand the brown stems so it is
pruning time. And yes, we could get more cold and then again maybe we won't. But it won't make
any difference as the plants have already started to grow.

Now I have more than pruning to do. February is a great month with lots of Gotta Do's.

Tom's Gotta-do's for February, 2012
Lawn Care:
	Lawns turned gray to brown by the cold should be given normal care.
	Do not try to speed lawn recovery with special waterings or feedings.
	Keep mowings to as needed to maintain height and control weeds.
	Rake out the cold damaged grass blades as new growth begins if you cannot stand the brown.
	A temporary ryegrass lawn can be seeded over the permanent turf to renew the green look.
	Brown lawns can be sprayed green with products available from commercial suppliers.
	Many weeds have been damaged by cold and can be easily spotted and removed.
	Water when the soil begins to dry usually once a week or less.
	Delay feedings until the end of the month or early March.
	Select a lawn fertilizer with little or no phosphorus, the second number in an analysis
	Inspect irrigation systems; check for clogged or broken sprinkler heads and adjust as needed.
	A crabgrass control can be applied mid month if you are not adding new turf.
	Live crabgrass sprigs must be removed from lawns for a herbicide to be effective.
	Seeding of new lawns can begin by mid month.
	Treat weed infested lawns with the appropriate herbicide when lawns begin vigorous growth.
Vegetable & Fruit Gardening:
	Tomatoes have been heavily damaged by cold; plan to replant in late February or March.
	Continue to plant the cool season crops during early February.
	Hurry to start transplants from seed of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants for March planting.
	Keep covers handy to protect new plantings from possible late season frosts & freezes.
	Support vining crops by tying the vines to a stake or trellis.
	Many tropical fruit trees and shrubs have cold damage; begin the needed pruning.
	Till and enrich sandy soils with organic matter before starting new plantings.
	Adjust the soil pH for blueberries to an acid level.
	Reshape citrus trees and trim grape vines in February before flowering begins.
	Feed all fruit producing trees, shrubs and vines in late February.
	Plant additional fruiting crops.
	Begin spray programs after apple and peach trees flower.
In the Landscape:
	Mother Nature did some pruning, now it's time for you to do the rest
	Prune back to healthy wood which may be to near the ground.
	Now is a good time to reshape overgrown and out of bounds plantings.
	Give plants adequate time to recover, which may be months, before making a replacement.
	Remove only seed heads, small stems and suckers from crape myrtles.
	Prune ornamental grasses to within a foot or two of the ground.
	Give all but climbing roses a first of the year pruning around mid month.
	Trim back out of bounds perennials; remove old flower heads and seed pods
	Move poinsettias to the landscape on warm days and apply a slow release fertilizer.
	Begin landscape tree, shrub and flower feedings if needed for growth and foliage color.
	Feed container gardens every other week or use a slow release fertilizer.
	Start seeds of warm season annuals and long-lasting perennials.
	Hand pull or spot treat winter weeds in gardens and shrub plantings.
	Maintain a mulch around trees starting a foot from the trunks; six inches from shrubs.
	Prepare new flower beds.
	Replant declining container gardens.
	Remove declining fronds plus old flower stalks from palms; leave the good green foliage.
	Begin every other week feedings of orchids by month's end or apply a slow release fertilizer.
Foliage and Home Plant Care:
	Give Christmas and holiday cactus a bright spot in the home; keep a little dry.
	Trim old flower stalks from forced amaryllis bulbs and add the bulbs to the garden.
	Transplant pot bound plants to slightly larger containers.
	Move lanky and yellow plants into higher light.
	Groom indoor topiaries and tree-like plants to control size and shape.
	Replace declining plants with new selections.
	Wash away pests and dust from house plants.
	Remove declining leaves and flowers.
	Feed all container plantings.

February 2012 Plantings

Vegetables: Plant through mid'month; beet, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, collard, endive,
kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, pea, potato, radish, Swiss chard and turnip. After mid'month plant;
bean, cantaloupe, corn, cucumber, eggplant, luffa, pepper, pumpkin, squash, tomato and watermelon.

Flowers: Alyssum, aster, baby's breath, bacopa, begonia, candytuft, carnation, calendula,
coneflower, coreopsis, cosmos, dahlia, delphinium, dianthus, diascia, dichondra, dusty miller, false
heather, four o'clock, gaillardia, gaura, gazania, geranium, gerbera, godetia, Johnny'jump'up,
licorice plant, lobelia, million bells, nasturtium, pansy, petunia, rose, salvia, snapdragon,
Stokes aster, sweet pea, veronica and yarrow.

Herbs: anise, basil, borage, chives, dill, fennel, lemon balm, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary,
sage, sweet marjoram, tarragon, and thyme.

Bulbs: African iris, amaryllis, Amazon lily, Asiatic lily, blackberry lily, blood lily, bulbine,
caladium, canna, crinum, day lily, gladiolus, gloriosa lily, Louisiana iris, society garlic, spider
lily, rain lily.