Hi, Desert Gardener,

I hope you enjoyed this week's unseasonably warm weather! My local garden center beckoned and I fell in love with a plant I hadn't seen before. 😍 I resisted buying it then, and followed my usual strategy. When I got home I researched it and waited to see if I still wanted it in the morning. I did. In fact, I dreamed about it that night. (Do you ever dream about plants?)

This strategy has saved me money, since I often find that a plant that strikes my fancy turns out to be inappropriate for the spot I had in mind.

While it's still too early to plant and prune most plants, if you're itching to work in the yard, there are plenty of things you can do this month (seer our February Monthly Guide.)

Determining how much fertilizer citrus trees need just got MUCH easier!

Last week I mentioned a chart. Since then, the University of Arizona published a new calculator that does the math for you. (Sometimes procrastination pays off!)

In this week's newsletter, we cover:

• Featured plant: red bird of paradise
• NEW! Citrus fertilizer calculator 🍊
• My impulse purchase
• The goats of Sweetwater Wetlands 🐐
• What to do in the garden in February
• Upcoming gardening classes and events
• and more!

Pruning Tip!

February is the perfect time to give red bird of paradise a hard prune, down to about 12″. This will manage its size, get rid of dead stems, keep it vigorous, and promote blooming. Prune before new spring growth appears.

​

New! Citrus Fertilization Calculator 🍋🍊🍋‍🟩

The rule of thumb is to fertilize all your citrus trees around Valentine's Day. Determine exactly how much fertilizer your trees need using the University of Arizona's brand new Citrus Fertilization Calculator. Fertilizing just got much easier!

​

Tucson Garden Events & Classes

Tucson's garden scene ramps up this month. Some of this week's highlights include:
* Aloe-Topia @ Four Arrows Garden Center
* Heirloom Fruit Tree Workshop @ Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
* Growing Herbs in Tucson @ Pima Co. Master Gardeners 🌿

Find more & get the details in our Tucson Gardening Events Calendar →

Not in Tucson? Look for classes offered via Zoom.

Garden Quote

"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman statesman & philosopher

In Case You Missed It

​It's Cold! Should I Cover My Plants?

​Plants to Protect for Extended Winter Beauty

Before You Go...

Do you have a gardening question you'd like to see answered here? Send it to ask@swgardener.com.

If you found this information helpful or interesting, please share it with friends! They can sign up for this newsletter here.

And please stop by the new Southwest Gardener Facebook page and "Follow", "Like", or "Share".

​

Keep growing and learning,
​Desert Dee