This week, no garden hints.
Read a good book.
Go on an art walk.
Go to a movie.
Play family games.
Go on a drive.
Plan a vacation.
Go skiing.
Go for a hike.
Visit your child's school and
make a visit.Bring cookies.
Compliment a worker.
Listen to good music.

Back to normal again.
We need the rain and the snow.
Watch the grass, it is growing pretty
fast so it will need to be mowed soon.
 Pruning..should be near done on tree
fruits and berries other than for grapes.
 Keep the weeds under control in
the raised beds, yes even now.

More rain in the Willamette Valley, which
is needed.  More snow in the mts.
One blueberry farm had bud break and
small leaves showing.
With the frosty weather, lawns may had been
 damaged if much walking was done on the
lawns = more lawn diseases this spring.
Broccoli - more soft rot in the broccoli heads, it
 has been really bad this winter.
many pesticide classes for private and consultants
 that need credit, check ODA web site or
 local Extension web sites.

Chard and broccoli still doing well.
Some winter annual weeds but they are slow
this year. Grapes still dormant so wait until after
Feb. 15th to prune.

Dang lawn is 2 inches tall, but too cold to cut.
For lawns, use  a low N, and medium P
and K to encourage root growth.
Be patient, Feb. 21 is the typical weather
break date for cold-ish weather.

Still nice to sit by the fire, reading,
sharing, enjoying family.

Blueberry and peach buds have broken; 
give them a good copper spray very soon;
pussywillow buds are over one inch long; 
I see various spring bulbs, up 1-2 inches; 
garlic is really doing well - 6 inches tall.
Keep all plants, bulbs, tender potted plants,
blueberry roots covered with a good mulch.

Warmer weather is coming but
still cool weather.
Leaves on the garden and compost
pile has been reduced 50% already.
Pruning still going on.  Many good
pruning classes for those who want
pruning tips.

During this cold weather, we have or at
least I have, forgotten about the plants in
pots.  Fortunately, the soil hasn't frozen
other than for short  periods in the early
mornings.  If the temps are below 32 degree
for the next two-three days, roots will start
to be damaged.  Cover with straw, leaves or mulch. 

If you have a greenhouse don't forget to
water plants at least twice  during the month.
Adding a fan to the greenhouse helps to
moderate cold in the greenhouse.