March: To Do

Oh, and if you really think that I actually do all of these things, you are terribly confused. Sometimes I even (gasp) do things that aren't on this list.

I can only guarrentee this list is accurate for the things that I grow. I do not grow every item on this list. This list is targetted to Sunset Zone 14, specifically, and I think it is good for all of USDA Zone 9. In addition, it is probably pretty accurate for USDA Zones 10-11.

General (or it never ends)

• Weed, weed, weed.
• Remove all organic debris (ie leaves) from water gardens and repot aquatic plants.
• Trap or spread bait for earwigs, snails, and slugs.
• Watch for cold nights. Be ready to protect or bring in tender plants.
• Buy mulch. I use rice hull compost. I like rice hulls because they help provide large size articles in my very fine, silty, clay soil. Rice hulls, unlike sand, add organic matter to the soil, but they will break down in a number of years and have to replaced.
• A strong spray will remove aphids from leaves and stems.

Trees, Shrubs, and Vines

• Continue planting container trees and shrubs if it is cool enough.
• Plant subtropical plants when all danger of frost is past.
• Prune spring bloomers (eg lilac) as they finish flowering.
• Feed and shear hedges.
• Watch for new growth on vines and train it for summer display. Bloomers should be fed just before blooming.
• Finish fertilizing new and established trees, shrubs, and vines.
• Remove faded flowers from azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons to prevent seed formation and to encourage a tighter structure. Prune into shape after blooms have faded. Feed with an acid fertilizer and ironite (brandname).
• Pick up all dropped camellias flowers to prevent fungal infestation.
• When azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons are done blooming, feed with a acid fertilizer.
• Inspect for early signs of fungal infections.
• In clay soils, check for root rot. Poor drainage may be hidden under a dry surface.
• After danger of frost is past, prune hydrangeas, fuchsias, and bougainvilleas.

Roses

• Continue to feed established roses; wait to feed new plants until after first flush of bloom.
• Water weekly during dry weather.
• Remove suckers.
• Watch for pests and signs of disease.
  • Coastal fog and tule fog make this an ideal season for white powdery mildew, which is stimulated by cool nights and warmer days.
  • Spray every 7 to 10 days with fungicide to reduce blackspot, rust, and mildew.

Lawns and Ground Covers

• Start new lawns from seed or sod.
• Repair lawn. Problems may be soil compaction, overly wet conditions, or erosion.
  • Renovate.
  • Overseed thin or bare spots.
  • Topdress.
• Begin fertilizing with a mild nitrogen application while growth is slow. This is a good time for applying broadleaf herbicidal fertilizers like "weed 'n feed".
• Begin mowing lawn when grass is 3 inches high.
• Water lawns when needed during dry weather.
• If it has been several years, test soil pH in lawn.
• Check ground covers for gaps and fill in.

Perennials

• Lighly fertilize established plants as they begin to grow.
• Plant perennials grown indoors from seed or seedlings from the nursery.
• Mulch to soil moist.
• Water as necessary.
• Deadhead faded flowers.
• Pinch back perennials to encourage compact branching.
• Make sure stakes are in place for tall growers. Try to do when planting to avoid root damage later.
• Divide chrysanthemums and take cutting to root.
• Divide old, crowded clumps of hardy perennials like phlox, delphinium, asters, Shasta daisy, rudbeckia, yarrow, agapanthus, and daylilies. Remove any foliage damaged by cold weather.
• After frosts are over, bring out fuchsias and start watering. However, I leave my fuchsias out all winter long.
• Edge and weed beds and borders.
• Watch for pests and signs of disease.

Bulbs

• Plant out summer bulbs (amaryllis, callas, cannas, gladiolus, lilies, and teberous begoinias) when frost danger is past.
• Fertilize spring bulbs when they finish blooming.
• Deadhead faded flowers but leave foliage to mature.
  I wrap rubber bands around the more floppy foliage.
• Make notes now on areas where you want more bulbs and plan now to order for planting next year.
  This is really important. I always tell myself that I will remember where I want bulbs next year, but I can only remember things like "I need more in the back yard", but where in the back yard. A map of your bulb plantings would really be the best thing.

Annuals

• Direct-sow or tansplant out tender annuals when frost danger is past or start indoors. Plant snapdragons, stock, and poppies.
• Continue to plant sweet peas.
• Overplant bulb beds with annuals to hide dying bulb foliage.
• Deadhead winter annuals to keep them blooming.
• Thin seedlings.
• Deadhead, weed, and water as necessary.
• Mulch to control weeds.
• Edge beds and borders.

Container Gardens

• Plant tender annuals when frost danger is past.
• Continue to plant cold-tolerant veggies.
• Water as necessary. It's been raining, but don't forget to water plants under eaves.
• Feed with a water-soluble fertilizer.
• Move tender container plants stored indoors over winter back outdoors when frost danger is past.

Kitchen Garden: Vegetables and Herbs

• Direct-sow or tansplant out spring crops: beets, carrots, lettuce, chard and spinach. Plant potatoes.
• Sow or transplant summer veggies and tender herbs when frost danger is past or start indoors.
• Prune perennial herbs.
• Fertilize aspargus.
• Set up support for peas.
• Watch for pests.
• Open cold frame on warm days.
• Thin seedlings.

Fruit

• Plant balled-and-burlapped, bare-root, or container-grown stock.
• Plant citrus when frost danger is past.
• Feed citrus just before it blooms.
• Start feeding other fruit trees and grapes and berries.
• Deeply water established citrus when it blooms.
• Watch out for fire blight and pests.

House, greenhouse, or conservatory plants

Other: Structural and Special

• Repair or replace trellises that were damaged in the winter.
• Modify watering times as rain stops.
• Check drip systems.
• Oil and repair fertilizer spreader before using.
• Clean and repair garden tools. Sharpen blades of pruning tools and shovels, and service the lawn mower.

To Do Index

Neefer

Icons created by Jen Kitchen.