FEBRUARY

In the Edible Garden

• Test leftover seeds for germination. Place ten seeds between moist paper toweling or cover with a thin layer of soil. Keep seeds warm and moist. If fewer than six seeds germinate, buy fresh seed.
• Sow onion seeds in late February or March indoors. When they germinate, keep the seedlings in a sunny, south- facing window or a few inches below fluorescent lights. Transplant the seedlings outdoors as soon as the soil is dry enough to work.

In the Ornamental Garden

• Prune flowering shrubs that bloom after June 15th now. Shrubs that flower before June 15th should be pruned right after flowering.
• It is not harmful to prune now those trees like maple, birch or dogwood that have a lot of sap. But if you prune them in mid-summer or late fall, you will avoid the sap bleeding.
• Didn’t get your bulbs planted last fall? Get them in the ground as soon as the soil thaws. Normally a chilling period of 10-13 weeks with temperatures below 40 degrees F. is needed to initiate flowering. Mulch after planting to prevent heaving. The bulbs will probably not bloom in the spring, but they may bloom in the summer, or they may wait until next spring to bloom.

In the Interior Garden

• Prune your Christmas cactus after blooming. This will encourage branching. Pinch off a few sections of each stem with your fingers. Root these sections in moist vermiculite or potting soil for new plants. In summer, move outdoors to a shady or semi-shady location.
• Watch for carpenter ants in your kitchen or bathroom. Black carpenter ants can vary in size from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length. They do not eat wood, but they will scrape out tunnels leaving telltale sawdust behind. They are attracted to wood softened by moisture. They will also nest in trees. Indoors, the nest must be located for effective control.