How to Grow The Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift & More February Gardening Tips

Professional horticulturalist Suzanne Barton shares expert guidance on growing beautiful roses for Valentine’s Day while prepping your garden for spring.

Story by Alea Wilkins and Suzanne Barton

Winter may still be in full swing, but despite the cold, romance blooms this time of year. To celebrate, The Green Thumb‘s manager and certified professional horticulturist Suzanne Barton has the perfect gift: a backyard full of roses. Learn how to tend to these gorgeous blooms that are in-season. With Suzanne’s tips for prepping and pruning, your whole garden will feel the love.

[LOCAL Life] Which flowers should I plant for Valentine’s Day?
[Suzanne Barton] Roses, of course! They make such a nice gift and are available this time of year. You can plant and fertilize them once buds appear early in the spring. For existing bushes, late February to early March is the best time to prune. Trim so the branches grow outward — like a fan. This will prevent them from crossing, rubbing or getting damaged in the wind. And since the Lowcountry is so humid, leave some room in the center to improve air circulation and prevent fungus. That way, your blooms will look beautiful for the season. 

[LL] I started sowing my seeds indoors last month. What’s next?
[SB] This month transfer your seeds to your garden. Vegetables like carrots, radishes, onions, potatoes, peas and kale prefer being directly sowed, so it’s the perfect time to start putting your seeds in place. Still, you’ll have to be savvy about the weather. Pay attention to the forecast, and if a cold front is on the way, protect your seedlings with frost cloth or another breathable covering. Even a lightweight bed sheet propped up with chopsticks will work. As long as the ground is shielded from frost and there’s enough airflow for your plants, your garden should remain safe and sound.

[LL] How should I prepare my woody plants for spring?
[SB] Ideally, after the Lowcountry’s last frost, begin pruning your shrubs, trees and woody perennials for shape and structure. Check to see if plants are structurally sound, remove any damage from frost, and then give them a nice trim. It’s easier to do this now when leaves aren’t in the way, so take the time to carefully prune your plants. Remember, every time you prune, you spur new growth, so cut away with care, and spring bloomers, such as azaleas, should be pruned after blooming. Once the winter clean-up is done, your garden will be ready for the real growing season to begin.

Smart seasonal tips from Lowcountry Gardening, a guide written and produced by the Lowcountry Master Gardener Association

Once the threat of frost is past (late February or early March), it is time to prune. Prune to shape, reduce size and open up dense foliage, but do not prune spring-flowering shrubs, such as azaleas and loropetalum. Renewal pruning of overgrown or unsightly shrubs can be done at this time. Prune dead wood from perennial plants like lantanas. 

February is a good time to plant roses. Find a sunny spot, and prepare the soil properly to ensure years of pleasure. Valentine’s Day is the suggested day to prune roses to remove old wood and encourage development of new, strong, healthy stems.  

Prepare your vegetable beds by loosening soil and working in compost. Check fencing, poles, cages and trellises for damage. Many vegetables are suited to plant Feb. 1 to March 15: asparagus, beets, cabbage, carrots, collards, kale, leeks, lettuce, mustard, garden peas, radishes, rutabagas, spinach and turnips.

Excerpted from Lowcountry Gardening, written and published by the Lowcountry Master Gardener Association. Grab a copy of this handy guide to all things Lowcountry gardening for $5 at The Greenery, Bruno Landscape & Nursery, The Green Thumb or the Master Gardener booth at the Bluffton and Port Royal farmers markets. For more information, head over to LowcountryMGA.org.