March is often the signaling of the beginning of spring. We have had some crazy weather this winter, but last month the groundhog said spring was coming, so now that it’s March, we’re getting ready for the onset of spring. If you’ve been itching to get your garden started, you are in luck. There are a few things you can do right now for your garden.
Plant your annual flowers
By the end of March, you should be in the clear to be frost free, which means you can plant your annual flowers. Your perennial flowers will grow back themselves as the weather gets warmer, but for your annual flowers, now is the time to get them planted. Angelonia, zinnia, and wax begonias are perfect plants to get the annual section of your garden started.
Clear out your flower beds
Go ahead and make sure your flower beds are clear, so your perennials can grow back without anything blocking their path. Rake away dead leaves and mulch leftover from fall. Make sure you use a plastic rake, as to not damage any fragile foliage that is trying to grow.
Plant trees and shrubs
When the weather outside is moist and slightly warm, like it often is in March, is the perfect time to plant your trees and shrubs.
Repot your houseplants
Now is the perfect time to give new life to potted houseplants that seem to be suffering. New soil and a different pot can give life to those wilted plants that have suffered this winter. Make sure you know what kind of soil those plants need to thrive, and you know the success rate for repotting. Only repot if it will benefit the plant!
Plant berries
Berries like strawberries and raspberries do best when they get a start in the early spring. You can grow these berries in either garden boxes, or in contained pots. They need lots of sun(6-8 hours a day), and well-draining soil.
Plant your veggies from seed
If you’re planning to get a vegetable garden started from seed, now is the time to get them started. Lettuce, spinach, radishes, peas, and other cool-season crops will do well now. If you are in a frost-free region, or are confident that you’ve had your last frost, you can also plant your squash, tomatoes, and other warm weather vegetable seeds.
Prune fruit trees
Removing dead and diseased sections of your fruit trees gives room for bountiful growth this spring. It isn’t too late to get pruning, but you don’t have much longer before your decision to not prune negatively impacts the amount of fruit that you can anticipate getting from your fruit trees.
