February Garden Guide, Zone 10

February tastes like a crisp sweet sugar snap pea. I can’t help eating them off the vine whenever I’m in the garden. I sow my peas as a cover crop in September and January and reap the delicious reward right about now!  

Delicate papery peach blossoms are February’s crowning glory, adorning its formerly bare branches!

February still brings a risk of frost, despite some odd days being in the 80’s, giving the illusion of jumping from winter to summer. Then, without warning, the tides change and harsh cold  days return, a sobering reminder that yes February is still winter. Don’t be fooled by a summery afternoon, heavily mulch any seeds sown in February. 

Tomorrow, February 2nd is Candlemas, the last day of  advent. Candlemas, commemorates the day the baby Jesus was presented at the temple for the first time, forty days after his birth.  

Before Groundhog Day, a secular invention weather lore was based on Candlemas:

“If Candlemas Day is clear and bright, winter will have another bite. If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, winter is gone and will not come again.”

Right now, there is plethora of fresh greens and delicious herbs ready to be added to omelettes: Parsley, chives, cilantro, sage, oregano and mint to name a few.

Another treat in the garden is an abundance of bright orange calendula flowers, which I might turn into lotion bars. I love calendula because they actually detox the soil!

Delicious Swiss Chard and Pasta Recipe here.

February Garden To-do List

1. Prune Lavender, rosemary and other woody herbs.
2. Prune dormant fruit trees.
3. Prune 3 year old or older blueberry bushes.
4. Clear and maintain areas around trees trunks and plants to avoid disease.
5. Rake up leaves and add to a compost bin.
6. Tackle weeds at the base of trees and crops (prioritize).
7. Transplant or plant new fruit trees and berry bushes.
8. Start warm weather seedlings indoors.
9. Visit local nurseries, hardware stores and garden centers to find out what crops are in season in your area.

Tip: Cook your weeds - A herbicide free and easy way to get rid of weeds in large areas is by covering the space with a thick black tarp for at least 10 weeks. This tried and true method gets rid of weeds by suppressing photosynthesis and cooking weeds with the sun’s warmth.

February Seed-starts for Zone 10

Find your Zone by entering your zip code at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map here. 

Renee's Garden Seeds are my favorite.

• Arugula
• Artichoke
• Asparagus
• Basil
• Beans
• Beets
• Bell Pepper
• Borage
• Carrot
• Chili Peppers
• Collard Greens
• Corn
• Cilantro
• Dill
• Eggplant
• Endive
• Fennel
• Ginger
• Lettuce
• Marjoram
• Okra
• Oregano
• Peas
• Radish
• Rosemary
• Shallots
• Spinach
• Sunflowers
• Thyme
• Tomatillo
• Turnip
• Zucchini

February Harvest / In Season

• Arugula
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Celery
• Cilantro
• Green onions
• Jalapeño
• Kale
• Lavender
• Lettuce
• Peas 
• Parsley
• Peppers
• Sage
• Snow peas
• Sugar snap peas
• Swiss chard

Sincerely,

Laura