Gardeners Checklist: Here Is What to Do on the Week of Feb. 14

By Ron Kujawski

• Mix a pinch of sulfur into the potting soil when repotting acid-loving houseplants such as azaleas, camellias and gardenias. If the potting soil you’re using already has a lot of peat moss in it, this step is not necessary. You’ll know if the soil is not acidic enough to keep plants happy when plant leaves turn yellow but the veins remain green. Except for the aforementioned plants and a few others, most houseplants don’t give a hoot about soil pH as long as it is not in the extreme ranges of the soil pH scale.

• Start saving translucent, gallon-size, plastic milk containers. Several years ago, I came across a study using these milk containers, wax paper hot caps, and water-filled plant protectors on garden transplants. The researchers found that the milk containers were the most effective in protecting the seedlings from late spring frosts. 

• Revive that bouquet of roses received on Valentine’s Day when they begin to droop by submerging the stems in a sink full of warm water. While holding the stems underwater, snip off an inch of each stem at the base; make the cut at an angle. Wait a half hour or so until the drooping heads undroop (technical term meaning “straighten”). Once the stems are straightened, place them back in their vase with some fresh water. Adding a floral preservative to the water will prolong the life of the roses. Hopefully your love life will last longer.

• Cut off the flower stem from amaryllis once the flowers have faded. From that point on, treat the plant with its strap-like leaves as you would other tropical houseplants. Place the plant in a warm location with bright but indirect sunlight. About every two weeks, give it a dose of a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer according to product label directions. 

• Sort through stored garlic bulbs and pick out those with sprouting cloves. Plant the sprouting cloves in pots. Snip off the shoots and use them to season soups, salads and stews. The leafy shoots have almost as much garlic flavor as the cloves.

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Usually at this time of year, I recommend getting started on pruning chores, especially fruit trees, grape vines and blueberry bushes. However, before heading out, make sure that pruning tools are in proper order. Begin by spraying the blades of pruning tools with WD-40 or other penetrating oil. After half an hour, wipe the oil from the blades. This should remove any dried sap or grime on the blades. Next, sharpen the blades using a common mill file. Securing the pruning tool in a vise will make this task easier. File the blade edge at the same angle as the original bevel. If the blade is badly nicked, it may be time to buy a replacement blade if the pruner has removable blades. Otherwise, buy a new pair of good quality pruners. They will be more expensive but high-quality shears will last a lifetime.

Ron Kujawski began gardening at an early age on his family's onion farm in upstate New York. Although now retired, he spent most of his career teaching at the UMass Extension Service. He serves on Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Horticulture Advisory Committee. His book, Week-by-Week Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook, is available here.