Regardless of location, February creates a wish to begin focusing on garden ideas and planting heirloom seeds in preparation for warmer months. Dreams of a bountiful harvest and testing unique varieties and ideas can take the gardener through long winter hours. Garden preparation, including which heirloom seeds to plant can begin materializing today!

Most gardeners who grow heirloom seeds choose the organic route in the garden, wiping out pesticides, herbicides along with potentially toxic plant and soil applications. Natural fertilizer and soil amendment remedies will furnish plants with the turbocharge they demand to reach their maximum bearing capability. The following suggestions will help you be ready for spring:

February is the absolute latest that you should sort out seed packets. Count what rare heirloom seeds you have and what you will need then, get it ordered, or they may be out of stock! The majority of the rare heirlooms become unattainable in Jan/Feb, which means that gardeners who wait until March will be out of luck. Replace grow lights, sterilize soil and pots.

Planning a new garden is without doubt one of the most fun February activities. Read through descriptions of heirloom vegetable seeds and flower seeds and identify which new varieties to include and where to place each variety. Some plants, just like corn, are heavy feeders and must be alternated with other crops unless fertilizer can be used or a cover crop is planted to replace lost nutrients. Depending on your region, heirloom seeds including onions, leeks, celery, radishes, peas, spinach, broccoli and also other hardy greens could very well be started indoors now for transplanting later. Some varieties of flower seeds may also be started, depending upon garden location and whether a hot frame or greenhouse might be used.

Herb seeds deserve their own honorable mention, because they are able to be grown inside your home throughout and planted early for transplanting. Many cooks get pleasure from having fresh herbs such as basil growing right at their fingertips to provide fresh flavoring to meals and sauces.

Design a cold frame or blended cold frame and hot frame to harden off baby plants. Gardeners in colder zones will delight in the mini-greenhouse effect associated with a hot frame. Begin getting material and build a selection of of these to prolong the season. Make sure if using old frames and wood that they don't have lead-based paint. Also avoid creosote or penta treated wood. Cedar and redwood are excellent choices since they are naturally resistant against rot and mildew. Pickled wood, commonly a softwood that has been treated with vinegar, is a popular choice.

Identify what kind of soil treatment and fertilizers really need to be added, and order them while placing the rare seed order. Soil testing may very well be offered by a county agent if you notice a major decline in bounty. Most gardens including onion seeds addition of compost and organic fertilizers including blood meal.

February is also a great time of year to examine, fix and upgrade sprinkler heads and drip systems, in advance of when they are desired.

Establishing onions, leeks and celery in the house in February offers the perfect opportunity to get in gear with dirt under your nails. American Flag Leek Seeds are an heirloom seed variety that has a 105 day cycle, good for succession planting, roughly 3-4 weeks apart. Heirloom Seeds can be bought in hundreds of varieties, for gardeners to raise and enjoy in most temperature zones.