Select and plant summer-blooming bulbs such as amaryllis, calla, canna, dahlia, gladiolus, lily, tuberose, tuberous begonia, and tiger flower. Mulch them well.
Summer-blooming bulbs that have overwintered indoors can be brought outside now; mulch them well.
There’s still time to broadcast seeds of spring-blooming native annuals.
Maintenance
Finish pruning roses, cane berries, deciduous trees, grapes, and wisteria.
Fertilize spring bloomers and fall-planted perennials.
Fertilize asparagus and strawberries.
Fertilize mature trees and shrubs after spring growth starts.
Pest and disease control
Remove and discard old flowers from azaleas and camellias to reduce petal blight.
Remove aphids from blooming bulbs with a strong spray of water.
Mulch 3 to 4 inches deep around plants (but not against stems) to control weeds and conserve moisture.
As the weather warms, handpick, trap, or put up barriers for slugs and snails or use pet-friendly bait.
For color indoors
Force flowering branches into bloom by bringing them indoors when they begin to bud. They will open in the warmth and add color to your winter days. You can force-bloom dogwood, spicebush, serviceberry, redbud, forsythia, pussy willow, quince, and spirea. Cut branches at an angle, then put into water. Change water every three to four days; a show of blooms should appear in about three weeks.
