MARCH
"A garden is a link to passing
seasons"—Proverb
Start Seeds Indoors. Sterilize used containers
in a 10% bleach solution to kill the bacteria that causes damping off. Read
packet instructions to determine length of time for germination. Count
backwards from the date you plant to transplant to calculate seed starting
date.
Shrub Status. Check shrubs for winter salt or
snow damage. Prune away any dead or damaged branches.
Get Ready to Plant. Plant cool season crops
such as peas, lettuce, and Swiss chard as soon as the ground can be worked.
Give Grasses A Haircut. Cut back ornamental grasses
that were left for winter interest.
Oil Check. Apply dormant oil spray to fruit
trees and deciduous shrubs and trees when temperature rises above 50 degrees F.
Prepare to Mow and Hoe. Check your lawnmower
and other power tools to ensure that they are running properly. Repair shops
will be very busy in a few weeks.
Give the Compost Pile a Good Turning. I like to
use my mini-tiller to mix up the pile thoroughly.
Nitrogen Boost. Apply cottonseed meal to
azaleas and rhododendrons this is a good source of nitrogen and will give these
plants a jump-start.
Uncover Your Evergreens. Remove the burlap
windbreaks from your evergreens. Keep hydrangeas and macrophyllus protected until the end of the
month.
Rosy Disposition. I like to pot up new bare
root roses into two-three gallon pots to give them an opportunity to
develop roots before planting into the garden. Keep in a warm sunny location
for 3-4 weeks.
Cut Back Butterfly Bushes. Trim back bushes
(buddleia) back to six to eight inches above the ground.
Careful Where You Walk. To control soil
compaction, avoid walking on wet lawns or beds.