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Recognized in 2013 as the official botanical gardens of the state of Tennessee, the University of Tennessee Gardens located in Knoxville, Jackson and Crossville are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Some 4,000 annuals, perennials, herbs, tropical plants, trees, shrubs, vegetables and ornamental grasses are evaluated each year. Both the Knoxville and Jackson gardens are TN Certified Arboreta. The gardens are open during all seasons and are free to the public.

 

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  • February #1
    Sow broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage seed indoors now or buy transplants in March. Harden them off before planting out in March.
  • February #1
    Bluebirds are already looking for a place to nest, so clean out your birdhouse soon. If you are in need of a good bluebird house, check out Homes for Bluebirds, Inc. at http://danfinch.com/birds.htm
  • February #2
    Barrenwort (Epimedium) and Lungwort (Pulmonaria) will be in flower soon. Cut back last year's foliage before new growth appears.
  • February #2
    Remove dust from your house plants by rinsing them in the shower.
  • February #3
    Extend the life of your Valentine's Day flowers by changing the water daily and recutting the stems every couple of days, making sure foliage is kept above the water line.
  • February #3
    Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) and its hybrids are one of the first plants to flower in the new year. A little cleanup makes a big difference when these winter beauties blossom. There are two thoughts on removing last year's foliage. If you're like me, there's less to do in the garden now, and if I wait around until March, it may not get done. I like to cut back last year's foliage on Helleborus before the flower stalks appear. Follow the old leaves down to the crown and remove the entire leaf stalk near the soil. In mild winters, the foliage often still looks good in February, but as the flowers and new foliage appear, the old leaves will become unsightly. The old foliage will be much more difficult to remove once the new growth has appeared. In some winters, the earliest flowers may ge damaged, but I don't mind sacrificing a few for a tidy plant later on.
  • February #4
    For indoor forcing of blooms, cut branches of pussy willow, forsythia, flowering quince, redbud, and star and saucer magnolia. Choose stems with flower buds that have began to swell. Cut them at an angle and place in water in a cool location in your home with indirect light.

 View gardening tips for the entire year.

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