What Not to Do in February (A Friendly Reminder from Your Garden)

February is a tricky month. The days are longer, the sun feels warmer(usually), and one mild afternoon can convince even the most seasoned gardener that spring is basically here. It isn’t, but February is very good at pretending.

At Lakeview, we think of February as a thinking month. A planning month. A “hands in pockets, eyes open” month. And sometimes the best advice we can offer is what not to do… yet.

Here are a few common February missteps, and why it’s okay (and wise) to skip them.

Don’t Start All the Seeds

February seed catalogs are persuasive. Seed trays are clean. The lights are ready. It feels productive to plant everything.

Resist.

Only crops that truly need a long lead time belong in trays right now. Starting too much too early leads to leggy plants, crowded setups, and seedlings that outgrow their welcome long before the garden is ready.

Garden Geek truth:
Being early doesn’t make plants stronger. Being timed right does.

Don’t Let One Warm Day Rewrite the Plan

A 45-degree afternoon in February is lovely. It is not a green light.

Soil temperatures remain low, roots are inactive, and plants know winter isn’t finished, even if you are ready to move on emotionally. Acting on optimism instead of conditions often leads to compacted soil, stressed plants, or setbacks you didn’t need.

If the soil is still cold and wet, the answer is still no.

Don’t Feed the Lawn Yet

This one is hard, because lawns look exposed and vulnerable this time of year. But feeding now is rarely effective. Fertilizers applied too early wash out and move past roots before grass is actively growing, so good timing is everything.

February is for observation and planning, not fertilizing. Your lawn will tell you when it’s ready, and it won’t be subtle about it.

Don’t Prune Everything in Sight

Some winter pruning is appropriate in February like fruit trees, blueberries, and select shrubs that benefit from dormant-season cuts.

But not everything wants attention right now. Spring-flowering shrubs, in particular, should be left alone unless you’re willing to sacrifice blooms.

Garden Geek rule:
If you know it blooms early, step away from the pruners.

Don’t Skip Tool Prep and Jump Straight to Action

It’s tempting to focus on plants, but February is the perfect time to prepare yourself. Dull pruners, tangled hoses, missing labels, these are the things that slow you down later when timing actually matters.

A little prep now saves a lot of frustration later.

Don’t Panic (The Garden Isn’t Behind)

This might be the most important one.

February can create a false sense of urgency. Social media starts showing green things. Someone else is “already planting.” Ignore the noise. Your garden isn’t late. It’s just waiting.

Gardens don’t follow trends. They follow light, temperature, and time.

🌱 Lakeview Plant Geek Reminder

February rewards patience, restraint, and observation. The best gardens aren’t rushed into spring, they arrive there naturally, with fewer problems and better results.

If you’re unsure whether something should happen now, the safest answer is usually: not yet.

And if you want help deciding, that’s what we’re here for.