Ah February! The shortest month but the most temperamental. If you know you know. We’re just 4 days into it and in my corner we’ve had freezing rain, bright sunshine, overcast skies, an inch of snow and at present, temperature in the high 40s. This spike has me eagerly considering the spring garden however, experience is placing her sure hand on my impatience. We are only half way through winter. But, we’re officially in the second half!
Time passes quickly when we’re busy so here’s What To Do this month –
(Much of the items in the January list are applicable too. Do check that list)
- Stay on top of effects of snow and storms. Take quick action.
- Keep bird feeders full. Whenever possible provide water.
- Get garden plans and designs ready.
- Check garden supplies. Does the hose need repair or replacing? Is there enough soil, twine, stakes etc.,? Make a list and do what is needed.
- Towards the end of the month, prune roses, wisteria, grape vines and fruit trees.
- Cut back ivy on walls and fences before birds start nesting. Brightly colored stems of Salix and Cornus should be cut back to about 6 to 10 inches from ground. This will encourage brighter color next spring.
- Prepare for seed sowing. Get seed flats clean and ready. Check if there’s enough seed growing medium.
- Order seeds. Once seeds arrive, write labels and keep handy. This saves time later when there is so much else to do.
- If there is not much snow, cut back old leaves on Hellebores. New growth and flowers will be emerging. Cut back other perennials that were skipped in autumn.
- Attend to indoor plants.
- The New York Botanical Garden’s annual orchid show opens in March. Do reserve your tickets and go! It’ll banish winter blues and get you motivated.
- Mark your calendar –The Lyndhurst In Bloom Flower Show is on April 5 and 6, 2025. Tickets go on sale soon and they sell out fast! Do not miss this event! I’m so excited to be participating again (Servants Dining Room).
- Renew ( or join) your membership to the Garden Conservancy. Place your order for the Open Days directory and related coupons. Once you receive it you can start scheduling visits to beautiful gardens near and far. Inspiration is only a garden visit away! Take note – my garden will be open May 10.
- Months assigned to celebrate and highlight long marginalized groups are my cue to learn more about people, explore and understand their contributions and achievements. Like any great garden, large or small, America thrives, grows and excels because of diversity. As February is Black History Month, I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the book “In The Shadow of Slavery – Africa’s Botanic Legacy In The AtlanticWorld” By Judith A. Carney and Richard Nicholas Rosomoff.
- Then, my friend Jen brought my attention to Belle Da Costa Greene, the American librarian who managed and developed the personal library of J. P. Morgan. She was Black but passed for white which allowed her to earn well and support her family. I’ll be heading to the Morgan Library in NYC for the current exhibit on her. I’ve visited this amazing institution innumerable times and had never known about Belle. Can’t wait to remedy that!
Note: Because of the snow there isn’t much to share from the garden. Instead, here are a few more of my black and white paintings that I’ll be displaying at the Lyndhurst In Bloom Show –
![](https://i0.wp.com/seedsofdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_2351.jpg?resize=584%2C438&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/seedsofdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_0312.jpg?resize=584%2C458&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/seedsofdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_2120.jpg?resize=584%2C438&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/seedsofdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_2319-rotated.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/seedsofdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_8025.jpg?resize=584%2C458&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/seedsofdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_0795.jpg?resize=584%2C431&ssl=1)
(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar
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