Its ironic that February is associated with love, because, for some reason, most people hate it. Maybe its because it happens to be one of the coldest, snowiest months, and it comes at a time when people are fed up with winter. However, spring really just around the corner; in fact, in some parts of the country, its already time for planting. Even if thats not the case in your region, there are many things that you can do to prepare for cookout and
picnic table season.In most areas, this is a good time to get out the shears and start shaping up trees and shrubs. If theres still snow on the branches, be careful when you clear it away, because if the buildup is heavy, frozen limbs may already be holding all of the weight that they can take. To keep them from breaking, use upward strokes to knock off the snow and ice. If they break, prune them as soon as possible.As the end of the dormant season approaches, you can start pruning fruit trees and woody landscape plants. Avoid pruning spring bloomers, such as lilac and forsythia bushes, which produced their buds last fall, or you wont see many flowers on them this spring.You can still plant or transplant most deciduous trees and shrubs this time of year, as long as you do it while their buds are still dormant. If you plan to use dormant spray on them, do it this month, at a time when the temperature is above freezing. Certain deciduous trees, including maples, birches, and elms, may leak sap if you prune them during a thaw. While this wont affect their health, it may cause things to get a bit sticky; so, if you want to prevent it, dont prune them until spring.Take advantage of this season to shop for perennials. Because many providers have limited stocks of seeds, order yours now, so that you will have them in time for planting season. If you have stored summer-blooming perennials that begin to flower early during a warm spell, put them in a cooler place. You should also look for plants that have been displaced by soil that has been expanding and contracting with the freezing and thawing of the ground, and press them back into place. While youre at it, lift and divide perennials before they begin any new growth.Spend the last month of winter getting ready for spring, and it will be here before you know it. On the days when its too cold to work in your garden, get ready for your upcoming barbecues. At AllPicnicTables.com, you can shop for a picnic table from the warmth and comfort of your own home, and have it in time for outdoor eating season, which is also just around the corner.With one of the most impressive collections available, AllPicnicTables.com has traditional, decay-resistant cedar, pine, oak, cherry, and teak tables, as well as everlasting aluminum, polywood, and vinyl tables in dozens of colors and styles. All PicnicTables.com also offers a great variety of outdoor furniture and accessories to complement the dcor of any porch, patio, or gazebo.To see the entire selection, go to
AllPicnicTables.com. If you wish to contact a design consultant or a customer service professional, call 1-888-293-2339, or e-mail
contact@allpicnictables.com.
