February Gardening
The work of this month is to be carried on as weather permits, but with greater
activity and more confidence, for the sun is fast gaining power. Earnest digging, liberal
manuring, and scrupulous cleansing are the tasks that stand forward as of pre-eminent
importance. Many weeds, groundsel especially, will now be coming into flower, and if
allowed to seed will make enormous work later on. It is well, however, to
rememberwhat few people do remember, because the fact has not been pressed upon
their attentionthat weeds of all kinds, so long as they are not in flower, are
really useful as manure when dug into the soil. Therefore a weedy patch is not of
necessity going to ruin; but if the weeds are not stopped in time, they spread by their
seeds and mar the order of the garden. Dig them in, and their decay will nourish the next
crop. If early sowing is practised, and the earliest possible produce of everything is
aimed at, there must be always at hand the means of protection, such as litter, spruce
branches, mats, or other material, as circumstances require. The vigilant gardener is not
surprised by the weather, but is always armed for an emergency. Read the notes for January
before proceeding further; and in respect of what remains undone, spare the necessity of
reminders here.
Frame Ground should be kept scrupulously clean and orderly. Many things will
require watering now, but water must not be carelessly given, because damp is hurtful
during frosty weather. Take care that the plants are not crowding and starving, or they
will come to no good.
Source: The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots, 16th Edition
1921, Sutton and Sons