INDOORS:

Start seeds of impatiens and geraniums early -- these are slow-growing and need a good headstart indoors. Plant some cactus or coleus seeds with your children. It’s fun to watch the tiny plants develop. You’ll get a true taste of spring! Please see articles abut seed sowing.

Cut your houseplants back and give them some liquid fertilizer. Schultz Bloom Plus is a nice booster for indoor plants at this time of year. Mix in the watering can and water onto the soil. Look for insects, too. If you find any, you can wash them off with a vigorous spray of water in the kitchen sink.

OUTDOORS:

Start looking for signs of spring bulbs coming up. Winter aconite and snowdrops may be seen as early as the first week of February. Crocus will show soon, and the early tulips and daffodils begin to show foliage. Loosen the mulch around plants starting to show growth, but keep the mulch on the beds. Put out some bird food and place bird shelters around your yard. Some spring birds arrive early!

INDOORS:

Start seeds indoors of peppers, tomatoes and eggplant 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost. These vegetables are slow-growing and need a good headstart indoors. Please see article on seed sowing.

OUTDOORS:

Plant pansies, or start some from seed. If it’s mild, they’ll bloom all winter. Sow seeds of perennials as soon as you can work the soil. If you get them in the ground early enough, some may bloom the first year! Reliable early-blooming perennials include: Early Sunrise Coreopsis, Pizzicato Oriental Poppy, Summer Pastels Achillea, Summer Carnival Hollyhock, Alpine Blue Aster, Ornamental Fountain Grass, and Blue Spike Veronica. When weather begins to warm, remove mulch from bulbs and perennials. Plant dormant ornamental trees, shrubs, vines and fruit trees as soon as you can work your soil.