February 2002 Table of Contents

GARDENING
Jack Hardy

February is the month when your vegetable garden should be at its peak. Don't forget to have new plants coming to replace those that will die before the end of the season.

Early in the year is the best time to do some judicial pruning. Bear in mind that no plant should be pruned any more than 30% of its length. Most shrubs just need enough pruning to improve their shape. Sugar apple and soursop trees only bear fruit on new growth so it is important to prune them while there are no new fruits developing. Flowering shrubs like hibiscus will lose much of their blooming ability for a month or two after being pruned.

Many fruit trees are dormant at this time and need no care except for treatment of insect predation. Cut away any dead wood on citrus trees and also remove water shoots. These are angular growths that shoot vertically. They look attractive but they take years to bear fruit and in the meantime debilitate the tree. On young trees look for shoots from the stock below the graft mark and remove them.

Now is a good time to put in corms, tubers, rhizomes and bulbs. Check the nursery where you buy them from for correct planting depth: too shallow and your Calla lilies will fall over; too deep and your Zephyranthes will find it hard to break ground. Just about all bulbs, etc, will grow well in Abaco with the obvious exceptions of early northern types like crocuses and daffodils. Gingers need a partly shaded location while most other bulbs, tubers, corms and rhizomes enjoy full sun.

The sandy soil of Treasure Cay is particularly suitable for watermelons. The best ones to grow are established favourites such as Congo and Charleston Gray. But don't plant them unless you will be around for the fruits of your labours in early summer.

February Table of Contents