Coastal Region – Brad Fowler
- February can be an excellent time to sharpen and freshen up hand tools in preparation for spring and summer.
- Late winter is a great time to prune many plants but make sure to check individual plant requirements for appropriate times and strategies.
- Don’t forget to do a routine check-up on your trees. The lack of leaves on deciduous trees in winter months makes it easier to see dead and diseased branches.
- Pre-emergent herbicides applied to lawns in mid-February can help control crabgrass, goosegrass, sandspurs, and other summer annual weeds. Make sure to read and follow all label instructions when using herbicides.
- Some vegetables can be started indoors from seed. Good preparation and planning during winter months can lead to a productive garden in the spring and summer.
Dead live oak Branch Photo Caption – Make sure to regularly check trees for diseased, damaged, and dead branches.
Brad Fowler, 2023, Clemson Extension
Sap residue on pruning tools becomes harder to remove once dry.
Stephanie Turner, ©2021, Clemson Extension
Start with reliable seed from a reputable source.
Millie Davenport, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Midlands Region – Carmen Ketron
- Now is the time to prune fruit trees and brambles back. Prune pears and apples first, then move on to peaches and nectarines. Next, Prune mature blueberries to remove old growth. Prune out 2-year-old floricanes on blackberries. Finally, prune back older muscadine vines from their cordons for great fruit set this summer.
- Thinking about giving potted plants for Valentines, Galentines, or a little “surcee” just because? Look no further than beautiful winter-blooming plants such as cyclamen, hellebore, or primrose.
- If you have a cover crop in your vegetable garden, it is time to begin terminating the crop to allow it to break down for at least three weeks before planting spring vegetables. Read up on cover crop termination techniques for the best results.
- If you are starting a spring garden, consult the planting calendar to see your optimal planting time. For example, in February, gardeners in the Midlands and Pee Dee can plant hardy spring vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, garden peas, and greens.
- Keep an eye out for the right time to apply pre-emergent to your warm-season lawn. The optimal weather is when the air temperatures have sustained 65-70º for four or more consecutive days and just before a forecasted rain event. This type of weather commonly occurs at the end of February or the beginning of March. Please use the Clemson Extension warm season grass guide to find appropriate pre-emergent products. Do not use “weed and feed” products at this time. Warm-season grasses do not need to be fertilized until May.
Early spring lettuce germinating in trays.
Carmen Ketron, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Garden peas and radishes growing in a raised bed in early spring.
Carmen Ketron, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Common primrose in bloom at local Pee Dee nursery.
Carmen Ketron, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Upstate Region – Millie Davenport
- Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) are native to the Carolinas, making them a relatively low-maintenance fruit well adapted to our warm and humid climate. As a result, gardeners experience very few problems with this small fruit. However, one of the problems I hear about from time to time is low fruit yield. This problem can be attributed to many reasons, such as sunlight, poor pollination, nutrition, or lack of proper pruning. For more detailed information on pruning muscadine, see this video.
Plan to cut back your liriope this month before new growth emerges. This will keep it looking its best. These leaves can be composted unless your liriope has reddish brown spots along the leaf margin or tips. If so, it may be anthracnose. It is not advised to compost diseased plant material, as the disease may survive the composting process. - Are you thinking about the vegetable garden? You still have time to plant some cool-season crops, such as carrots, cabbage, and garden peas, before the summer heat arrives. It is also time to plant potatoes but hold off on planting sweet potatoes until May.
- Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Many flowering (and non-flowering) houseplants make an excellent gift for your special someone. You can find a great selection at your local florist, garden centers, and even the grocery store. Cyclamen, orchids, and kalanchoes will brighten anyone’s day.
Muscadine vine being pruned.
Paul Thompson, ©2021, Clemson Extension
Left side of muscadine plant has been pruned, the right side has not.
Paul Thompson, ©2021, Clemson Extension
Big blue lilyturf (Liriope muscari), also commonly known as liriope.
Joey Williamson, ©2014 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Anthracnose of liriope (Liriope muscari).
Joey Williamson, ©2014 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Vegetable Garden.
Joey Williamson, ©2015 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Cyclamen flowers may be white, red, pink, or purple.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2021 HGIC, Clemson University
