Verdant View - February 2026

A Love Affair With Nature

As the new year begins, we suddenly find ourselves in February, traditionally a time to express love, appreciation and to celebrate connections that bring us joy. This year powerful expressions were shared with me, and I would like to share some with you.

“We’re in a very dark tunnel right now, there’s no question. But right at the end of the tunnel is a little speck of light. We have to roll up our sleeves and crawl under, climb over, work our way around all these obstacles on the way until we reach that light.”

—Jane Goodall

“If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.” —Harriet Tubman

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”

—Albert Einstein

“Everybody needs beauty … places to play and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” —John Muir, whose advocacy led to Yosemite National Park being established.

“To be hopeful means to be uncertain about the future, to be tender toward possibilities, to be dedicated to change all the way down to the bottom of your heart.” —Rebecca Solnit

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” —Oscar Wilde

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” —Pablo Picasso

“I recently learned that in an average lifetime a person walks about 65,000 miles. That’s two and a half times around the world. I wonder where your steps will take you. I wonder how you’ll use the rest of the miles you’re given.” —Fred Rogers

“If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.” —David Bowie

“Plant your garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.” —Jose Luis Borges

What to plant in February

The weather is chilly at night, but clear and sunny during the day. The few summer edibles that still exist, like tomatoes, are struggling, trying to give tiny fruits hoping to ripen enough to pick. The deciduous trees and plants are becoming even more seasonally colorful and the edibles and ornamentals that love the chill are getting stronger quickly. Daytime temperatures make working in the garden very enjoyable.

If you want to grow tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, start these indoors around February. Around April you should start watching the weather and, as soon as it is warm enough, go ahead and transplant those into the ground.

It is still cold at night, but warmer in the morning. Pruning now will bring back many plants that are looking a little sad, encouraging new growth.

Look for Iris, Heliotrope, Pentas, Primrose and snapdragons at the viveros. Now is the time to put radishes, carrots, Swiss chard, kohlrabi, leeks, and beans (wax, runner and bush) in the garden. For flower growers, start morning glory, evening primrose, liatris, Clarkia and tuberous begonias in pots. It’s an excellent time to get the garden cleaned up and ready for the hot, dry months and the new things you will be planting. Don’t forget to deadhead and water and keep up with your compost.

Irrigation should be reduced, not stopped, as plant photosynthesis slows down and cold weather dries plants out. Water less frequently but just as deeply to assure that the full root systems are hydrated.

“When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”

—Aldo Leopold