By Kelsey Deckert, Horticulture agent

NDSU Extension – Burleigh County

The days are getting longer. In the month of February, we gain about an hour and half of daylight from the beginning of the month to the end of the month. February always feels like the turning point of winter to me. I learned a new term, "solar spring," from a news clip, and it occurs from Feb. 5 to May 5. This sun-based season is when we gain the fastest increase in daylight hours.

In the central part of the state, we were blessed with some really warm days above 40 degrees  Fahrenheit and even tipping into the 50s a couple of weeks ago, which has been giving me the spring itch. Even though we are gaining more sunlight and have had some warmer days, don’t let Mother Nature fool you yet. I have to remind myself to look at the calendar to get my shot of reality: we are still very much in winter.

What are some things gardeners could do right now if they experience the spring itch?

Focus on indoor gardening. If you have houseplants, maybe that one plant is ready to be repotted to the next size up. Maybe you have a flourishing plant you can take some cuttings from and propagate. Consider growing some indoor herbs, lettuce or microgreens. If you have kids in your life, whether it’s grandkids or nieces or nephews, themed gardening is always a fun activity with them. You can find many little trinkets around town to decorate the gardens.

Plan this year’s garden. Seed catalogs are available and a great inspiration for trying something new or adding a perennial to the yard. Look online for new techniques, methods or designs to incorporate into the garden or yard.

Further your knowledge. There are great online webinars offered from North Dakota State University Extension and other gardeners across the nation, free to attend. This is another way to find inspiration for your garden!

Think about our pollinator friends that do that hard work for us in the summer. Build a pollinator hotel or research ways to create a more inviting habitat for them to ensure bountiful harvests this year.

Get outside on the warm days. With not much snow in the central part of the state, take a nature walk and enjoy the sunshine. You can even do some pruning if you want to stay busy.

Don’t get fooled by Mother Nature this time of year. There are many more ways to combat the spring itch you may experience during the warmer days of winter!

For more information about gardening, contact your local NDSU Extension agent. Find the Extension office for your county at https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-county-offices.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Feb. 24, 2026

Source: Kelsey Deckert, 701-221-6865, kelsey.j.deckert@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu