The Dallas County Master Gardener Association, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, has released its February Gardening Task List, with more than a dozen To-Dos this month. Here are a few: 

  • Plant early spring-blooming annuals like dianthus, petunias and alyssum in late February. 
  • Complete pruning of oak trees before Feb. 15 to minimize chance of oak wilt infestation. Do not prune live oaks or red oaks from Feb.15-June 30. If you must prune then, always “paint” the cut end with tree wound paint, being very careful not to paint over the collar of the cut. 
  • Prune other shade trees and woody shrubs as necessary to remove dead wood and improve structure. 
  • Prune all standard roses, except climbing varieties, by about 50 percent by mid-February. 
  • Apply pre-emergent herbicides to established lawns to control warm season broadleaf and grassy weeds, such as dandelions and crabgrass, no later than early March.  

Website: February Garden Tasks – Dallas County Master Gardeners Association