Monthly Garden Maintenance- February

February in NWA is a tricky month. We can get 70 degree temps, or 4 inches of ice. Really, anything can happen. We typically get some nice days, so keep that in mind and make the most of them by having a plan in place when the weather is right.

Here are a few things to do in February:

Newspaper mulch in the garden bed. Sassy thinks it's soft!

• Soil test- If you haven't done it yet, get those soil tests! It's free from the cooperative extension service through the UofA so there's no excuse not to do it. Request the test for "apples" and they will test the nitrogen level. Trust me, you want that tested! I discovered that my nitrogen levels were shockingly low when I got my test back this week. (note: They will ONLY test for nitrogen levels IF you request the test for "apple trees" if you request a test for vegetables they will not test your nitrogen levels. Regardless of the purpose of the garden spot, request the soil to be tested for apples. The fertilization recommendations provided with the results are very vague, please feel free to contact me with your results I will try to help you correct any imbalances)
• Plant supports- Now is an excellent time to make plant supports and put them in place. Decide what kind of supports you want and collect supplies now. That way, when the weather is right for working outside, you are ready to go. I wrote a few articles on support options at Ozark Natural Foods if you need some ideas. I will cover this topic more thoroughly later.
• Start some seeds- I will cover this topic just a bit later this month, but go ahead and decide how you want to start seeds and what kind of set up you will use. Get those supplies ready! I am using a 50/50 mixture of compost and garden soil for potting mix and newspaper pots. I'll try to cover that simple process soon, as well. Usually a south-facing window is sufficient for getting seeds started indoors, an east-facing window will probably be ok as well. If you have considered buying grow lights, this is the time to do so! 
• Soil Amendments- You can work compost into the soil a few weeks before planting to get compost well incorporated into the soil before adding tiny plants. I will probably use a mixture of rabbit manure, compost, and epsom salts before planting this year to boost my still-depleted soil. 
• Keep mulching- What are you going to use for mulch this year? It's time to plan for that, as well. I will be using leaves I collected from neighbors for the planting beds this year, and shredded newspaper for my walkways. I've been piling up newspaper for the last several months. My poor shredder is really going to get a workout. I'm hoping to spend very little or nothing on mulch this year.

Are you ready to put that garden plan into action?

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