February and March in the Garden

As a current student in the Master Gardener Program and a mentee of Barbara Low in Practicum, I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Garden Beet. I will share information and highlight gardening resources from the Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley Year Round & Month by Month book, which can be purchased at the OSU Extension office and the Grange Co-op.

Revised in 2017, the Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley Year Round & Month by Month is a great resource for gardeners and was written by the Jackson County Master Gardener Association.  I purchased my copy last year at the Grange Co-op. The book discusses planting and harvesting berries, melons, and vegetables; highlights are below. This book is a valuable reference tool that contains well-researched information specifically for the Rogue Valley concerning soil, plants, growing seasons, and garden health and maintenance. It will help you make your garden thrive.

In this article, I will refer to helpful gardening tips from this book for February and March. Also included are reference links from the Oregon State University extension website.

Wishing you all enjoyment in your gardening experience!

February

Based upon the gardening suggestions for January, keep in mind the length of the growing season (102 – 149 days) and selected seeds for each season (p. 87).

 

February Month at a Glance: Plant raspberries

 Sow for Transplanting:

Broccoli	all month to mid-March
Cabbage	mid-January to mid-February
Cauliflower	mid-February to mid-March
Chinese Cabbage	all month and thru March
Endive, Escarole	last two weeks of February
Leeks	all month and thru March
Lettuce	to mid-February
Onions (bulbing)	all month for winter storage bulbs
Oriental Greens	all month and thru March
Pak Choi (Bok Choy, Tatsoi)	all month and thru March

Direct Seed:

Arugula	all month and thru March
Corn salad	mid-February thru March
Cress	mid-February thru April
Fava Beans	all month and thru March
Mustard & Turnip greens	late February thru March
Onions	all month thru March
Peas	all month and to mid-April
Radishes	all month and to mid-April
Spinach	all month and thru March

Transplant:

Asparagus roots	February and March
Perennial herbs	all month
Horseradish	all month
Lettuce	mid-February to early April
Onions (sets)	as soon as available and the soil is ready
Strawberries	all month and thru March

Fertilize and Prune:

Asparagus	fertilize; repeat in late July or early August
Grapes	prune established grape vines
Over – wintering vegetables	use high nitrogen fertilizer now and in March
Rhubarb	use manure mulch or complete fertilizer

Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley Year Round & Month by Month (Rev. 2017), pp. 87 -91.

For additional February Garden maintenance information: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/february-garden-calendar

 

 

March

March Month at a Glance: Plant cane fruit; set out rhubarb

 

Sow For Transplanting:

Artichokes	early to mid-March
Broccoli	mid-March to mid-May
Brussels sprouts	all month
Cabbage	All month and thru mid-April
Cauliflower	To mid-March
Chinese cabbage	all month
Eggplant	mid-March to mid-April
Leeks	all month
Oriental greens	all month
Pak (Bok) Choi, Tatsoi	all month
Peppers	mid-March to mid-April
Tomatoes	to mid-March

According to local folklore referenced in this guide: “When melting snow on Mt. McLoughlin reveals an angel or an eagle, it’s time to plant your beans” (p. 96).

 Direct Seed:

Arugula	all month
Carrots	alll month to mid-June
Chervil	all month to mid-April
Chives	all month thru May
Cilantro, Coriander	all month thru April
Collards	all month thru April
Corn salad	all month, once/week
Cress, garden	Thru April, once/week
Fava beans	all month (see February)
Kale	all month thru April
Kohlrabi	all month
Leeks	all month and thru May
Lettuce	all month and thru September
Mustard & Turnip Greens	all month
Onions (bulbing types)	all month
Parsley	all month and thru May
Peas	all month
Radishes	all month and to mid-April
Scallions	all month and to mid-July
Spinach	all month
Swiss Chard	all month and thru May
Turnips	all month

Transplant:

Asparagus	thru March
Broccoli	mid-March to mid-May
Cabbage	all month and thru mid-April
Cauliflower	four-five weeks after seeding
Lettuce	all month and to mid-June
Onions (all bulbing types)	all month
Strawberries	all month

Fertilize and Prune:

Asparagus	fertilize in March if not in February– repeat in late July or Aug
Blackberries	delay fertilizing until time of blossom
Raspberries	fertilize established raspberries
Strawberries	fertilize established raspberries (detailed p. 97)
Grapes	fertilize mid-month
Currants	use manure mulch or complete fertilizer
Gooseberries	use manure mulch or complete fertilizer
Blueberries	Use manure mulch or complete fertilizer (detailed p. 59)

Control Pests and Diseases: special note concerning cane berries

Garden Guide for the Rogue Valley Year Round & Month by Month (Rev. 2017), pp. 92 – 97.

 For additional March Garden maintenance information: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/march-garden-calendar