As the winter rain and crisp air carry a quiet magic across Marin County, savvy gardeners know that the groundwork for spring's abundance begins now in the soft soil of late winter. What this really means is that February is a pivotal month for local green thumbs - a time to get their hands dirty and lay the foundation for lush, thriving gardens in the months ahead.
Bed Prep and Cleanup
The winter rains have softened the soil, making it an ideal time to pull weeds with ease. Gardeners should take advantage of this window to amend their garden beds and raised planters with fresh organic compost, layering it in to replenish nutrients lost during the rainy season. As UC Marin Master Gardeners recommend, lightly mixing the compost into the top 6-10 inches of in-ground soil or 2-3 inches in raised beds will provide an essential food source for soil life as spring approaches.
Pruning for Purpose
February also marks one of the last great opportunities for dormant pruning of deciduous fruit trees in Marin, according to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. Removing dead, diseased or crossing branches now helps open up the tree canopy to vital sunlight and airflow - a crucial step in boosting plant vigor, controlling size, and even increasing fruit yields.
Planting for the Season
The arrival of February signals the start of the early spring planting season for Marin gardeners. UC experts recommend sowing seeds indoors for cool-weather crops like arugula, kale, and peppers, while directly seeding beets, carrots, lettuce, and more straight into the amended garden beds. Transplanting bareroot starts for artichokes, asparagus, and other perennials can also be done at this time.
The bigger picture here is that Marin gardeners who take the time to thoughtfully prepare their plots in February will be rewarded with an abundant spring harvest. By getting a head start on essential tasks like pruning, planting, and soil replenishment, they're setting their gardens up for season-long success.