Garden Keeping Journal - February Edition
Tips, Inspiration & Checklists for Zone-7 (and neighboring) gardeners
Not gardening in Zone-7?
No worries - you can easily adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the monthly Garden Keeping Journal and still receive all the other stories, reflections, and design inspiration from The Whiskey Porch.
Hello there, dear garden-keepers!
A quick housekeeping note before we dive in: while most of my letters arrive on Friday mornings, I’m moving these Garden Keeping Journals to the first Saturday of the month - it just feels better aligned with when many of us actually get outside.
Last year, about this time, I was chatting with a local friend who was sharing how she "could not wait" to get going with her annuals in her garden now that it was starting to warm up a bit.
I know the feeling! That's why winter here is typically so pleasant... even though we get those snow storms and cold, grey days we are blessed with these breaks where the sun shines and the air warms just close enough to sweater weather that you feel like spring is on its way.
This year, of course, has been a big exception to that typical weather pattern, so far anyway. It's been gorgeous, don't get me wrong. But it's time for some more winter.
It's only the first week of February. We will still have winter lows and weeks here and there of full-on winter weather for several more months. Because of our high elevation at 6,000+ feet, our last frost date is typically right around Mother's Day, that’s May 10th or so. (This surprises a lot of new high-elevation gardeners.)
It was hard to break it to my friend who was so excited, and had just moved here from Minnesota.
The consolation is that there is a ton of fun pre-season stuff to work on right now to get everything ready for the season.
During this "dormant" season, don't be fooled into thinking that there's nothing going on in the garden over the winter! In fact, while the pace slows down significantly, this is often the best time to build the basis for a hugely successful and healthy landscape in the coming season.
Plus, spreading out the work over several months makes it a bit less taxing on you.
About These Checklists
While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, these monthly Garden Keeping Checklists are designed to help you stay on track and feel supported through the seasons.
Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, you’ll find the tips practical and flexible - especially if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona, or in other Zone-7 and neighboring climates.
Each checklist reflects the rhythm I experience here in Prescott’s downtown microclimate, so your own garden may vary slightly depending on your elevation, location, and what you’re growing. Generally speaking, these notes align with USDA Zone 7b.
Of course, no two years are exactly alike, even in the same zone. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.
These guides are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, with a sprinkling of annuals, veggies and herbs.
Let’s get to it…
Plants & Planting
This is where patience and preparation pay off most.
Plant bareroot trees, roses and shrubs.
Sow summer blooming wildflower seeds.
Direct sow seeds for fava beans, poppy, larkspur, pansy and viola.
Begin transplanting peas, potatoes, onions, garlic, artichoke, chard and asparagus.
Sow seeds for peas, radish, carrots, lettuce, cabbage indoors.
Water
This is easy to overlook, and one of the most important this month.
Water twice this month if we don't get decent rain or snow. If you can fire up your drip system do so, and then shut it back down. Else, just do it by hand. This one is SUPER important when we have warm/dry winters like this one's been so far!
Pay extra attention to newer plantings, where the roots aren’t as established.
Take advantage of the slower month and clean, repair, make adjustments to your drip systems now.
Critters
Some more welcome than others.
Stay vigilant as buds start to swell, for roaming deer and javelina - apply repellents or fence off to protect.
Remember to keep those bird feeders clean and full. I like to use a combination of high quality suet-cakes and a few feeders with locally mixed seed.
Maintenance
Think of this as clearing the runway before spring takes off. Many of these tasks are much easier now, than later (trust me).
Prepare beds with soil and well-composted organic matter/top dress. Its best to finish this early in the month so that everything has a chance to rest and settle in before sowing seeds or putting out transplants.
Apply weed & grass pre-emergent now - before the weeds sprout! If they beat you to it, pull them quickly, before they seed.
Finish pruning fruit trees/shrubs, grapes, brambles and spray with dormant oil if pests are an issue. Don't prune any spring blooming shrubs until after they have bloomed though! You should complete this task ahead of buds opening in the spring, while the plants are still dormant. Typically best to not prune more than 1/4 of each total plant.
This is the perfect time to clean, sort and sharpen your gardening tools before all the action begins
If you need to purchase or repair any equipment/tools, do it now before the crowds start to do the same
Finish dividing autumn blooming perennials
Finish pruning roses. Begin a light feeding late in the month.
Planning & Reflecting
Good planning now prevents crowded beds and rushed choices later.
Finish placing all your seed, bulb, and plant orders so that you don't miss out on what you're dreaming of growing
Finish putting your planting layout together so that you are sure everything you are starting will have a place to go. Relocate any perennials that need to be shifted now, while still dormant.
Be sure your seed packets are sorted and organized so you can find what you need as the season gets started
What are you Working On?
I’ve still got a couple of hanging items from autumn which weren’t urgent, and I’ve just finished placing orders for seeds and even a few plugs that should arrive soon.
Are you still catching up too, or already on top of it?
Next month I might begin sharing what I’m adding and planting - let me know if you’d like to have a peek.
As ever, take what’s useful here and leave the rest.
February is perfect for getting your plans together and getting things organized. The foundational items will make a big difference as the season gets going.
If there’s anything you think should be added, or if you’re doing something a little differently in your own garden, I’d love to hear about it. I read every single comment and will respond.
Until next month…
With contentment & possibility,
P.S. Writing these letters is really about creating a shared space - a place for conversation, curiosity, and learning together. If this post resonated, a quick ❤️ like or 💬 comment below 👇🏼 helps me know you’re out there - and helps others discover Letters from The Whiskey Porch too.
Thank you. Truly.