St. Louis weather in February can best be described as variable. We have days that feel like a reprieve from winter–like today’s 70+ degree temps–and we have clear signals that it’s still winter–like last week’s soppy snow shower. So garden time is sporadic at best.
The grasses plumes drape gracefully under the weight of a wet snow.
The rhododendron will bloom soon, a sure sign that spring is near.
Sunday’s warm weather was accompanied by gusty winds and the ground is very soggy still. I take advantage of these sorts of days to piddle. I rake up a couple of trash cans of sweet gum balls, cut back the tall ornamental grasses and generally enjoy a nice day. Tempting as it was, I resisted raking the leaves out of the beds. I thought about edging some of the beds but it’s too wet. This piddling around allows me to begin to stretch my back and take stock of what really needs to be done once the weather begins to warm in March.
How do you take advantage of a warm day in later winter?
The Arch City Gardener 
February 29, 2016 at 2:11 am
One day this week it hit 63 degrees so I picked up downed branches with a big smile on my face. 🙂
February 29, 2016 at 2:46 am
I have a trash bag full of sticks and cut up branches. These warm Feb temperatures come at a price: lots of winds and downed branches.
February 29, 2016 at 1:38 pm
I prune bamboo rhizomes! Ornamental grasses up next, and I too was considering raking up some leaves but decided to delay that after finding a still-hibernating toad. I’ll let those critters seeking shelter in my beds stay put for a few more weeks. 🙂
February 29, 2016 at 1:43 pm
I’m sure you could spend quite a bit of time on the bamboo! The soft ground makes this a good time for that job.