February
Average Monthly Temperature
| Average High | 71° F |
| Average Low | 48° F |
| Mean | 60° F |
| Average Precipitation | .77 in. |
| Record High | 92° F (1986) |
| Record Low | 24° F (1933) |
Garden Maintenance
CONTINUE TO WATCH THE WEATHER REPORTS!If frost warnings are predicted cover all tender plants and trees including:
Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Lantana, Natal plum, Plumbago, Pigmy dates, Ficus Trees, Orchids, Citrus, Fall annuals (geraniums petunias, etc)
If you are unsure of the hardiness of any particular plant call the nursery. Use sheets blankets or frost cloth (available at the nursery) as cover. No Plastic!
FERTILIZE NON NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS
Use an all-purpose fertilizer
CONTROL WEEDS
Stay ahead of weeds by weeding twice a week, this will greatly reduce the need to use herbicides
PREPARE GARDEN BEDS
Add new composte
Add ammonium phosphate according to label instructions (16-20-0)
Add organics if desired - bone meal, blood meal, fish emulsion or bat guano
PICK CITRUS FRUIT
Remove all fruit by the end of February with the exception of Valencia orange and grapefruit (they will sweeten all the way thru May)
Fertilize citrus mid February. Use fertilizer specific to the Arizona desert and manufactured here such as Organa Pro Citrus Food or AZ Best Citrus Food (available at our nurseries)
Trim citrus trees prior to blooming
What To Plant
Continue to plant bareroot or containerized roses thru mid month and container roses thru MayContinue to plant deciduous trees
Elm, Ash, Chinese pistache, Vitex, Crape myrtle , Pines, Cypress, Ficus & Orchids (end of February)
Transplant tomatoes and peppers mid February to mid March, prepare to cover plant if frost is predicted
Plant Non Native Shrubs and Vines
Privet, Pittesporum, Rosemary, Pink jasmine, Hawthorne, Pyrancantha, Carolina jasmine, Star jasmine, Photinia, Lady banks rose, Liriope, Euonymous
Plant Annuals (they’ll last until the end of May)
Geraniums, Pansies, Petunias, Lobelia, Alyssum, Begonia, Cyclamen, Impatiens, Calendula