March Gardening Tips

​

1. Towards the end of the month report house plants that have become root bound (except bougainvillea, ficus, asparagus fern, African violet, peace lily, aloe, and spider plants, these plants prefer their roots confined to small spaces), the new pot should be approximately one inch larger.
2. Continue starting seeds indoors according to directions on packets.
3. During sunny days when temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, start hardening off cool-season edibles and annuals.
4. Treat infested house plants before you fertilize them. Discard severally infested plants.
5. During sunny days, fertilize healthy houseplants once they begin new growth.
6. Prune deciduous late summer blooming trees and shrubs.
7. Once the temperature rises cut back perennials and ornamental grasses.
8. Prune autumn-flowering clematis to 12” to 18” tall.
9. Cut out dead wood from roses, and prune them according to type once the temperature is consistently in the 50s.
10. If early spring-blooming trees and shrubs need to be pruned, do it immediately after they bloom.
11. Add small branches, spent blooms and leaves to your compost pile.
12. Divide overgrown summer and fall blooming perennials when they are between 4 and 6 inches tall.
13. Check for insect and insect damage and visit your local garden center for advice.
14. If you plant cool season crops due to unseasonal warm weather, monitor the changes in temperature and be prepared to protect them from frost.