Vegetables and new plants have been hitting the local nurseries, and February is the time to plant gardens, prune back shrub - after frost threat - and revitalize the landscape.

The city of Peoria is hosting a vegetable gardening workshop, 9:30-11 a.m., Feb. 11, at Rio Vista Recreation Center, 8866 W. Thunderbird Road.

Nothing is tastier than a fresh meal made from homegrown vegetables. Learn which plants flourish locally and get gardening do's and don’ts that will help your plants thrive and provide this spring.

Here are some tips to "soak in," approach spring.

• Average last day for frost in the Valley is February 15. Wait to prune sensitive plants until after the threat of frost.

• Planting trees and shrubs in the next month is ideal to reduce shock and allow for healthy root growth before the stressful summer heat arrives.

• Now is a great time to make cuttings of cactus for propagation. Make sure to let the cuttings callus or dry some before planting to inhibit rot and spur root growth.

• Vegetables to plant this month are: Cucumber, summer squash, onions, potatoes, watermelon, tomatoes, peas, beets, lettuce/leafy greens, carrots and peppers.

• Peoria received some winter rain and that means wildflowers may soon be appearing in our native desert areas! Get the camera and hiking shoes ready. Wildflower season starts in February and peaks around mid-March typically.

• If you are planning landscape renovations, early spring is the best time to put that plan into action. Plants are starting to "wake up" as the days lengthen, and our current weather is fantastic for spending extra time outdoors.

• Keep wildlife and birds in mind when gardening and before any tree pruning. Many bird species have already started to nest and most birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Here is a February watering schedule worth following.

If you have gotten a nice rain, remember to delay your irrigation a few days. Below are the general recommended watering schedules for mature - in the ground 2+ years - plants this month.

Trees and Shrubs (if on same valve):
Desert-adapted once every 28 days

Trees:
Desert-adapted once every 36 days
High water use once every 14 days

Shrubs, Groundcovers and Vines:
Desert-adapted once every 21 days
High water use once every 10 days

Cacti & Succulent:
Once every 28 days

Annuals and vegetables:
once every 6-9 days

Wildflowers:
Once every 10-12 days

Grass:
Summer (Bermuda) once every 21 days
Cool season overseeded (Rye) once every 7-9 days
To reduce water use, try skipping overseeding this year!