January/February Gardening Tips
January is not a big gardening month, but there are some tasks which can be accomplished beginning in February.
February marks the beginning of the growing season. We see the first signs of spring blooms in winter jasmine and winter honeysuckle. Early daffodils and crocus are blooming and it is the season to pay attention to weather forecasts. Arkansas is known for its fluctuations. A few warm days in the winter can incite plants into new growth. If you are beginning to see life in your dormant shrubs, especially hydrangeas, be prepared to protect them, should a cold snap occur. Tender new growth is much more sensitive to cold than their dormant counterpart. Covering large plants is difficult. It is much easier to throw some extra mulch or even a cardboard box over a small shrub or perennial, but large bushes and fruit trees pose a real problem. Often we have to hope Mother Nature is kind to us. Sheets, burlap, garden "blankets" called Remay, can give you a few degrees of protection, but can be hard to fasten to the plants. Make sure there is ample moisture in the ground prior to a cold snap.
Bulbs
All spring bulbs should be up and growing now; some are even in bloom. When you see the flower stalk emerging from the foliage, it’s a great time to fertilize. Use a complete fertilizer such as 13-13-13 or 20-20-20. Don’t get hung up on bone meal—that is just at planting season. Your bulbs need nitrogen, phosphorous and potash. If you put the fertilizer out shortly before blooming, the nutrition will be readily available as soon as blooming is over and they begin the process of setting blooms for next season. Length of bloom depends a lot on the weather and the variety, but you can expect several weeks of color from most bulbs. Daffodils are the easiest to care for and can remain in place for years without division. Tulips and hyacinths benefit from dead-heading—removing the spent flower after bloom.
Annuals & Perennials
Pansies, violas and other winter color should be bouncing back from any slowdown in winter color. You have a good two to three months left of color from these plants, so a little care can add to that. Fertilize, deadhead and clean up any damage. As the days lengthen, we get some warmer days, they should really be blooming.
Many perennials are emerging from their winter dormancy as well. Summer perennials should not be making a huge appearance now, but daylilies are greening up, hellebores are really growing and beginning to bloom, and columbine, poppies and bleeding heart are all making an appearance. Watch for late cold snaps and throw a little extra mulch on tender plants if warranted. Last year the daylilies went through several phases of green up/ die back because of fluctuating weather. Perennials are also appearing at many nurseries and garden centers. Plants which come in those boxes or plastic sleeves need to be purchased and planted while dormant. You can find everything from the early perennials to corms of liatris, hostas, and lilies.
Roses
Know what type of roses you have before you begin the job of pruning. Hybrid tea roses do need severe pruning each year in February. These bushes are pruned back to within 8-18 inches of the ground each year. Choose three to five main stems and prune to an outward facing bud. Be aware the top bud or sprout will be your rose cane for the season. We want them all to grow outwards, keeping the center of the rose bush as open as possible. This will ensure better airflow and sunlight penetration, helping with more flowers and less disease problems. Climbing roses often need some annual pruning as well, but wait until after they bloom in the spring to prune. Shrub roses, antiques and ramblers should be pruned in accordance with their growth habit and their bloom season. If they bloom only in the spring, prune after bloom. You don’t have to be as harsh in their pruning.
Other plants that benefit from pruning later this month include Althea, Buddleia, summer blooming spiraea, crape myrtles (if needed), Vitex, and Clethra. These plants all bloom in the summer on new growth. Don’t prune any spring blooming shrubs, gardenias or big leaf hydrangeas. Pruning these plants now will remove your potential blooms.  (This is an excerpt from the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service web site – from the Gardening Calendar for the months of January & February) - http://www.arhomeandgarden.org