Even in the midst of winter in Chicago, there’s plenty you can do to nurture your green thumb and prepare for the upcoming growing season. Let’s dive into some essential tips and tasks for February gardening in your growing zone. February is an exciting month for gardener- there’s so much to think about and begin planning- not to mention, those seed and bulb catalogs are starting to arrive in the mail! This is the time of year when my imagination goes wild with gardening possibilities and I get so excited to get started.
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Amending Soil for Healthy Plants
One of the first steps to a successful garden is ensuring you have healthy soil. Take some time this month to assess your soil’s composition and pH levels. If needed, amend your soil with organic matter like compost or well-aged manure. This will provide essential nutrients and improve soil structure, setting the stage for robust plant growth. I will typically add compost to my plot in late February as long as there’s no snow cover. That way the compost will have integrated and broken down a bit before I plant my earliest seeds in late March.
Starting Seeds Indoors for a Head Start
While it’s still chilly outside, you can get a jumpstart on your garden by starting seeds indoors. Choose your favorite vegetable varieties and sow them in seed starting trays filled with a quality seed starting mix. Place them in a sunny spot or under grow lights, and watch as your seedlings emerge, ready to be transplanted into the garden once the weather warms up. If you are in Chicago, stick to early cool-season crops like peas, cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, leeks, fennel, and lettuces. Hold off on planting early root crops like radishes and carrots, as those don’t do well when they are transplanted. You can seed them directly into your plot in March.
Planning Your Crops for the Season Ahead
Now is the perfect time to plan out your garden layout and decide which crops you want to grow. Consider factors like sunlight exposure, spacing requirements, and companion planting. Think about incorporating early spring vegetables like lettuce, spinach, peas, and radishes, which thrive in cooler temperatures and can be planted as soon as the soil is workable. At this point I like to sit down and sketch out my plot in order to plan what and where I’ll be planting. Based on last year’s experience I may decide to go with different crops or move their location around. Having a plan is crucial if you want your garden to be successful and productive!
Order your Spring-planted bulbs now!
If you plan to grow summer flowers from bulbs, now is the time to order them. I grow dahlias every year and the best varieties always sell out, so I try to get my order in early. I have had great results with dahlia bulbs from Eden Bros and Longfield Gardens (but to be honest, I have also had gorgeous blooms from bulbs I bought at Aldi one year)! You can also order ranunculus, lilies, begonias and more.
Gardening in February may seem daunting, especially in chilly climates like Chicago, but with a little planning and effort, you can set the stage for a bountiful harvest later in the year. From amending soil to starting seeds indoors and planning your crops, there’s plenty you can do to nurture your garden during the winter months. So roll up your sleeves, grab your gardening gloves, and let’s get growing!