- Prune Trees/Shrubs
- Clean Up Garden Beds
- Protect Plants from Freeze Damage
- Lawn Care
- Fertilizing
- Prepare for Spring Planting
- Inspect Irrigation Systems
- Compost and Soil Care
In Albuquerque, February is a transitional month where winter slowly gives way to spring, but freezing temperatures can still occur. Here are some landscape maintenance tips specific to this time of year in the area:
Prune Trees and Shrubs:
Trees: Late winter (before bud break) is a good time to prune deciduous trees. Focus on removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Be cautious not to prune too much, as some trees are susceptible to winter injury.
Shrubs: Prune back dead or damaged growth on shrubs. You can also shape evergreen shrubs lightly, but avoid heavy pruning until late winter or early spring to protect new growth.
Clean Up Garden Beds:
Remove any dead plants, fallen leaves, or debris from garden beds. This helps prevent pests and diseases from taking hold and prepares your beds for spring planting.
If you have mulch, check to see if it needs replenishing or if it has compacted over the winter. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature and moisture retention.
Protect Plants from Freeze Damage:
Continue protecting tender plants from freezes. Use frost cloths, burlap, or blankets to cover delicate plants during colder spells.
If you haven’t already, consider insulating plant roots with mulch or straw to prevent freezing.
Lawn Care:
If your lawn has areas that are thin or damaged from winter weather, you can begin to plan for overseeding in early spring (late February to early March). This will help your lawn become thicker and more resilient.
Avoid heavy foot traffic on the lawn while it’s dormant to prevent compaction.
Fertilizing:
Early February is a good time to apply a light fertilizer to trees and shrubs, especially if you didn’t apply a late fall feeding. Make sure the fertilizer is slow-release to provide nutrients through the growing season.
Avoid fertilizing lawns too early unless you are in a very mild microclimate, as fertilizing before the grass is actively growing can lead to nutrient leaching.
Prepare for Spring Planting:
Start planning your spring garden by ordering seeds and assessing your planting areas. February is also a good time to start seeds indoors for plants that need a longer growing season.
In February, you can prepare to plant cold-hardy crops like peas, onions, and spinach in late winter or early spring.
Inspect Irrigation Systems:
If temperatures permit, check irrigation systems to ensure they are in good working condition. Inspect hoses, sprinkler heads, and drip lines for leaks or damage.
If you have an automatic irrigation system, schedule an inspection to ensure it’s functioning well for the upcoming growing season.
Compost and Soil Care:
Add organic compost to garden beds to improve soil structure and fertility for the growing season ahead. Composting now can help enrich the soil for spring planting.
If you plan to till or amend soil in flower or vegetable beds, do so carefully as the soil may still be too wet from winter moisture.
Weed Control for Non Turf areas
Are there rock areas in your yard that are notorious for growing weeds? Then you need to put down a non-turf application. We are starting these in February. This is most successful when you put down a pre-emergent which helps stop weeds from emerging and growing. If they are already growing, they will need to be pulled or sprayed as soon as possible to avoid spreading more. Once they go to seed, you will have a bigger problem. So February is a good time to get control of the weeds, before they start growing.
By taking these steps, you can help ensure your landscape thrives as the weather warms in Albuquerque.