Printable To-Do List

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright,
Winter will have another flight,
If Candlemas Day be cloud and rain,
Then Winter will not come again

-Old English Proverb

February 2nd marks the official midpoint of winter, when many cultures look to folklore and tradition for signs of the coming spring.

Both Groundhog Day and Candlemas predict how long winter will last based on the weather on that day. If skies are clear, it’s taken as a sign that winter will remain for six more weeks while cloudy weather is believed to herald an early arrival of spring.

In mid-February, Zone 9 experiences the last frost of the season, and frost-free zones anticipate all the chores that mark the beginning of the growing season.

Throughout the month, watch forecasts closely to protect new plants from surprise late frosts – February is known for unpredictable weather and seasonal indecision.

February remains a winter month, with most plants either still dormant or just beginning to stir. Many of the chores from the January To-Do List can be continued along with the following items.

    Trees and Shrubs

    • Continue to protect tender trees and shrubs before a freeze.
     
    • Prune roses as soon as the buds begin to swell.
     
    • If your roses are winterized, leave them covered until all danger of hard frost has passed.
     
     
    • Zones 7 and warmer can plant bare-root trees and shrubs, and zones 8 and higher can plant bare-root roses.
    Bulbs emerging from snow

    Perennials and Bulbs

    • Check stored tender bulbs every two weeks, discarding any rotten ones. If they look withered, lightly mist the packing medium with water.
     
    • Look for early bulb sprouts as a sign of spring!
     
    • Prune Group B and C clematis vines, but don’t prune Group A since they bloom early on buds produced at the end of last season.
     
     
    • Zones 8 and warmer can start planting ornamental grasses while Zones 9 and higher can plant summer-flowering bulbs and perennials outdoors.
    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Danny Lipford

    Danny Lipford

    Founder

    Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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