LADY BUG...FEBRUARY MARKS BEGINNING OF NEW GROWING SEASON

For many garderners February means starting into a new season with plans and thoughts toward an improved garden. Many like to start seeds indoors for vegetables and flowers. One tries to plan carefully so as to avoid mistakes in choices or locations of past plantings.

The recent sighting of the robins looking for worms or other feed on a lawn, early spring flowering bulbs peeping through the ground and green chickweed in spots, all tell us that there will be spring.

Some robins are with us all winter, but the flock may have been in the process of migrating and stopped over for a short visit.

Often homeowners become concerned when spring flowering bulbs begin appearing above the ground. The peaks of crocus are the first sighted, some daffodil tips show and our spreading tulips like to appear early. One should not remove the mulch on mild days and neither should they be given more cover in colder weather. Apply extra mulch may encourage more growth and once spring does come plants may have stretched to the point that the stems are not as strong, causing the flower stalks to fall over. These bulbs are hardy and will stand a wide variation of weather without harm.

With the record cold tempaeratures in January, many gardeners are concerned about the welfare of plants. Dr. Charles H. Korns, professor of agriculture at SEMO, says there may be some damage, but early signs have not been significant. The azaleas that he has inspected (by cutting into the buds) show there is still life there, he says. Possibly the accumulation of snow served as insulation and protected them from severe damage.

Also, these plants had time to acclimate to cold before the sub zero temperatures came. Not so, a few years ago when a sudden drop to zero in early November caused loss or damage to many plantings.

With days lengthening, plants grown inside are beginning to show new growth. As new growth starts, liquid fertilizer may be applied. Remember never to apply fertilizer to dry soil as this will burn tender roots.

On a dull, foggy, gray day the cardinals had their hormones flowing and were singing their sweet songs of spring.

Foliage plants benefit from a feeding of epsom salts at this time of year. Use one tablespoon per gallon. This will assure a deeper green, more lustrous foliage and also helps to deter insects.

Check plants for insects.

Spider mites, tiny sucking insects which are hard to see with the normal eye, leave fine webbing on the foliage.

White, cotton-like masses on the tips of new growth and on the base of leaves, are mealy bugs. A forceful spray is needed to penetrate the hair-like mass.

Small white or brown stationary parts on the stems are scale. Eyes younger than mine found some on a 12-year-old palm. The solution - we cut it down and immediately set out in the elements. Insects hide under scale and move out to suck juices from stems and leaves.

White flies are tiny white insects that fly when plants are touched or moved. They are usually found under leaves and feed by sucking juice from the plant. Control measures are best found to be using a fine spray of water to which is added an insecticide such as Safer's Insecticidial Soap.

On mild days, this is a good time to prune fruit trees, removing excess growth and heading back to control height. Maples, elms and some other trees may be pruned also. Pruning is good not only to remove excess growth, but water sprouts, weak growth, damaged or dead wood and to open the plant for better light and air for circulation.

Grapes are best pruned now to prevent bleeding which may occur if left until growth begins to start. Raspberries and blackberries may be headed back this month to three to four feet above ground level. Cut out old fruiting canes to ground level and remove all small stems.

Geranium cuttings may be started late this month for planting outside in April or May. Dip in rooting media and place in perlite. Cuttings may also be made of impatiens, Swedish ivy and begonias.

One may do all of these things now with the happy thought that soon it will be spring.