Gaby
February. In ancient times people called it “the fierce one” during harsh frosts, “the snowy one” when snow piled up, and “the swirling one” during blizzards. So, February isn’t the best month for gardening. But a good gardener won’t sit idly waiting for calm, clear weather. They know that what isn’t done in February will have to be caught up in March.
So, what’s happening in the garden this February?
Trees use a lot of moisture as they grow, and often there isn’t enough in summer. To help the soil hold moisture, keep snow in place during winter. Use boards, reeds, vines, or straw to make barriers between the rows. You can also lay out branches, or simply pile up snow.
Against the white backdrop of the snow, you can easily spot trembling, twisted little leaves stuck to branches by webs. These are the winter nests of the hawthorn and the goldeneye—dangerous pests. It’s harder to notice the wide rings on branches that look like gray beads; those are the egg clusters of the gypsy moth. Remove and burn all pest nests, or in spring a multitude of greedy caterpillars will emerge.
Animals, particularly hares, love the bark and branches of young apple trees. For them, it’s a delicacy. Hares can destroy dozens of trees in their raids. Surround young trees with sunflower stalks or reeds, and wrap them with fir or pine branches, needles facing down. Don’t protect trees with straw, because mice love to nest in it. Mice will gnaw at the bark and roots and ruin the tree.
Trees can also be damaged by the sun. In winter, during bright, cold periods, trunks can suffer sunscald. During the day, the south side of the trunk and main branches warm more than the north side, which can trigger sap flow. If temperatures fall at night, that sap can freeze and damage the vessels.
Whitewash trunks with a mixture of lime and clay to prevent overheating. Mix 2 kg of lime with a bucket of water and some yellow clay. Slake the lime 8 hours before application to avoid burning the bark.
Some gardeners spray the whole tree with a diluted lime solution: 700 grams of lime per bucket of water.
Severe frosts can also split trunks. If frost cracks a trunk, seal the wounds carefully with garden wax.
