what to do in your garden in March

If you haven’t done your pruning yet, now is the time! Shrubs, vines, and perennials will flush out in new growth after their spring pruning. Cut back any dead wood and shape as necessary. 

A general rule of thumb for most shrubs and perennials is to cut branches back about one-third of the way.

After pruning, it’s time to fertilize. Espoma natural slow-release fertilizers allow plants to take up more of the nutrients, and are safer for the environment as well. There are formulations for many types of plants.

Plant your potted poinsettias in your yard for years of enjoyment. Plant them in a spot where they get total darkness at night (away from artificial light) so that they’ll bloom at the proper time each year. Poinsettias require at least a half day of sun.

With the warmer temperatures the butterflies are returning, and it’s a great time to plant a butterfly garden! Be sure to visit our butterfly house for ideas on what to plant to attract these beauties.

Roses are in full bloom now. Early spring is the peak time to plan and plant your rose garden. Be sure to amend your soil properly; one of the best soil supplements for a rose garden is coconut fiber, which is available in a product called “coir brick.”

Annuals and perennials to plant now include: alyssum, bush daisies, celosia, cosmos, dahlberg daisy, diamond frost euporbia, diascia, dune sunflowers, gaillardia, gazanias, geraniums, gerbera daisies, kalanchoes, lavendula, lobelia, marguerite daisies, pentas, salvia, sunflowers, and verbena.

Vegetables and herbs to plant now include: basil, beans, carrots, chives, cucumbers, dill, eggplant, fennel, lavender, lettuce, marjoram, mint, onions, oregano, parsley, peppers, radishes, sage, tomatoes, and thyme.