Midwinter is a favorable time to repot house plants. But do not move the plants to larger pots unless their roots are so crowded that they really need more room.
Often it is possible to merely top-dress the plants. To do this, scrape away as much as possible of the surface soil without injuring the plant. Replace the soil with a rich bagged potting mixture.
Forcing Bulbs and Cut Branches
Bulbs that were potted in the fall and then placed in a pit outdoors where they would root may be brought indoors now for forcing. Keep them cool – if possible, at 45° to 55° degrees Fahrenheit – until they have made several inches of top growth.
By then they will be able to endure living-room temperatures, provided they’re not over 70° degrees Fahrenheit. Place them in a well-lighted place and every three or four days give them a half turn to prevent the plants from becoming one-sided.
Branches of early-blooming trees and shrubs to be forced indoors can be cut anytime now. It is preferable to cut the branches when they are not frozen, however.
The Garden Flowers During A Thaw
During the mild spells in the more moderate parts of the Northeast, the garden will begin to bloom. You may be able to see blooms of snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) and winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis). Christmas-rose (Helleborus niger) and several of the small-growing bulbous iris such as Iris Yartani and Iris Danfordiae; also the shrubby Chinese witch-hazel (Hamamelis mollis), the winter-flowering heath (Erica cornea), and winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum).
Winter’s Effect On Perennials
When you make the rounds of your garden, you may find that some of the hardy perennials, especially those that were planted last fall, have been heaved from the ground by the winter’s alternate freezing and thawing.
The plants’ roots may be exposed, also. Gently press the plants back into the soil. This is done easily by carefully stamping down the soil around each plant with the foot.
Ridding The Garden Of Meadow Mice
During the February thaw, you may see evidence of meadow mice in your garden – tunnels through the snow. If they are plentiful, it would be advisable to do something.
If there are fruit trees nearby, stamp down the tunnels near them. Also, put out bait.
Sowing Seed Of Tender Plants Indoors
Tender plants which are destined to be planted out when danger of frost is past should be started now. This is also true of those which need a long growing season, such as wax begonia, lobelia, and wishbone flower.
But if indoor (or cold frame) space is limited, don’t get too ambitious, biting off more than you can chew. A 3” inch pot can support one hundred or more seedlings of these slow-growing plants.
Think of the space they’ll need later when they have to be potted up separately.
Seeds of alpine plants and hardy perennials such as globe-flower and iris should be sowed without delay. Place the pots outdoors where the seeds will get the necessary cold temperature. In the spring, when the weather warms, the seed will germinate.