The following "reminder list" is based on a Zone 6a growing region, which is centrally located for the North American growing areas. For areas north of Zone 6a add roughly one week per zone for any times given. For areas south, subtract roughly one week per zone. Don't know your hardiness zone? Find it quick on our "Plant Hardiness Zone Map".
 

March is month that gardening activities begin anew, the weather starts to warm and spring storms are inevitable. The long winter doldrums are chased away by the emergence of spring-flowering bulbs and we are assured that "life goes on". Gardeners everywhere are busy this month planting seed in flats in preparation for the coming growing season.

For gardeners and outdoors people of all types, the arrival of those feathered friends that migrated to warmer climates during the winter is a welcome sight. We busily make sure that nest boxes are ready to invite them to stay and we scan the sky for the arrival of Purple Martins. As conscientious folks, we know our bird friends are hungry after their long flights and make a renewed effort to keep our feeders full, fresh water available and our landscapes are inviting for them.

We take time to carefully check out our garden tools in anticipation of putting them to good use soon, organize and in our minds inventory our supplies so they will be ready at a moments notice when needed. We carefully measure, mark out and make ready our planting areas so that we get the greatest use out of limited planting areas and we start to tidy up and clean our outdoor living areas so we are ready to start enjoying them. This is also the time of year that we start paying closer attention to the weather in anticipation of approaching storms and changing weather.
 

Around The Garden

• Give your compost pile a turn, wet it down if dried from winter and keep covered until next month. Spring rains will leach out nutrients if left uncovered.. Now is a great time to start a compost pile if you don't have one.

• Dig and divide clumps of overgrown plants like daylilies, hosta, rudbeckia, eupatorium, etc. just before new growth begins. Incorporate fresh compost before planting.

• Clean up those perennial beds. Remove any dead vegetation and pull back or remove the mulch so that the soil can warm. Put this on the compost pile unless disease is present.

• Dig any beds that are dry enough and incorporate fresh compost.

• Start checking the soil with a thermometer. When it reaches 55° F (13° C) Early crops like lettuce, peas and early greens can be planted. Hold off planting brassica's, carrots, beets, onions and the like until the soil nears 60° F (15° C) and do not plant potatoes until the soil has warmed to near 65° F (18° C) or the sets will may rot.
• Start keeping an eye on the weather for the possibility of dangerous storms, hard freezes, etc. Cover any newly emerging plants if possible to protect them from freezing and hail.

Around The Landscape

• Dethatch warm-season grasses now and cool season grasses if reseeding is to be done. Aeration should also be done at this time. "Spot seed" as needed to correct bare and thin patches. Keep watered and mulch if possible with straw.

• Apply early fertilizer sparingly now (10-10-10 or 10-20-20 are best) and water well.

• Feed your perennials and trees now with a balanced fertilizer or top-dress with compost to get them off to a good start.

• Continue to feed the birds for a few more weeks. Late storms will make finding food difficult and insects are not yet active.

• Keep bird baths clean and filled. Don't put away the bird bath heater yet! Late cold snaps can freeze water and make it unavailable to birds.

• Clean out any remaining nest boxes and disinfect with a 10% bleach solution that have not already been cleaned now and make sure all are in good repair.
• Keep a sharp eye open for returning Purple Martins and get the houses up or open at the first sign of the returning birds.

On The Patio

• When the weather warms, clean and apply water sealer now before you're ready for that outdoor gathering.

• Get patio furniture cleaned, painted if needed and ready for outdoor gatherings.

• Check out that grill now. Clean it thoroughly from its winter storage. If you have a gas grill, check the hoses for cracks and degradation. Replace any that show signs of wear or deterioration and reseal any connections that are loose. Turn on the gas and check all connections with a liquid soap for leaks and reseal as needed (be sure to turn off the gas when finished).

In The Shed

• If power equipment has not already been serviced do it now.

• Clean, oil and sharpen any tools that have not already been serviced (don't forget those handles!).

In The House

• Repot houseplants as needed so they will be ready to vacation outdoors when the last frost date has passed.

• Remove the spent flower stalks of forced bulbs (but not the leaves), place the pots in a sunny location and continue to keep watered until the outdoor-planted bulbs fully emerge, then move the pots outdoors to continue growing.

For Yourself

• Take a walk or drive around your neighborhood, park or botanical garden to see what is emerging and/or blooming this time of year. This can be a great inspiration for new plantings for your own garden.

• Take time for an early spring cook out. It can be a great extra boost to your renewed energy of spring.

• Consider joining a local gardening club this year. The new friendships, ideas and information gained will be a big boost to you gardening abilities.

Back To Top

The information presented in a gardeners calendar is derived from many sources including practical experience of the writer. While we strive to present only fact5ual information, no guarantee is given, whether expressed or implied as to its completeness or accuracy. PO'Folks Ozark Mountain Enterprises accepts no responsibility for any damages resulting from the use of this material. As with all things, PO'Folks Ozark Mountain Enterprises urges all readers to exercise sound reasoning before applying any information they may obtain from any source.