The Garden in February: Things to do this Month

• Make sure all your tools have been cleaned, sharpened, and are ready to go.
• Build trellises for your indeterminate tomatoes, squash, and gourds.
• Plan what you want to grow this year and order seeds.
• Set up flats for starting seeds.
• Order ready made or materials for new arbors or other support structures you plan to add.
• Repair and repaint garden furniture.
• Design an irrigation system.
• Prune shrubs and trees—especially fruit trees.
• Inspect, pick off, and destroy insect eggs before they hatch without resorting to pesticides if you can.
• Prune grapes. Trim oldest wood and leave only primary stems. Each stem should have four to six canes from last year’s growth.
• Build frames for new raised beds.