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(eg. spring planting, landscape design)

March is a transitional month in the garden. The weather at this time of year can be unpredictable. Temperatures and weather patterns often change with little or no warning. Although we can’t control the whims of Mother Nature, spring is definitely in the air and many plants have already started to bloom and leaf out. If we do experience a cold snap, it is possible that tender blooms and new leaves will sustain some minor cold damage. Don’t be alarmed. Healthy plants go through many stages of growth as the season progresses and are generally quick to recover. 

 

Prevent Crabgrass: Apply a pre-emergent weed control, also referred to as “crabgrass preventer”, to your lawn. Crabgrass is a troublesome annual weed that grows from seed. Crabgrass preventers put a barrier on the soil that literally prevents crabgrass and certain other weed seeds from germinating. The window for crabgrass preventer application is usually from mid-February to mid-March. Crabgrass seedlings start to emerge when soil and air temperatures warm up. Don’t wait too late. The pre-emergent product will do little or no good once the crabgrass starts to grow.      

 

Control Growing Weeds: To control weeds that have already sprouted in your lawn, such as henbit, chickweed and dandelions, you need to apply a post-emergent weed killer. Check the label on the product to make sure that the chemical is safe for your particular type of grass.

 

Fertilize Fescue Lawns: Around the first of March is a great time to apply a high nitrogen fertilizer to Fescue lawns. Lawns planted with warm season grasses, such as Bermuda or zoysia, should not be fertilized until they are at least 50% green. This usually occurs in April.   

 

Fertilize Most Shrubs, Trees and Ground Covers: In late March, when your landscape plants start to put on new growth, apply a plant food to them, according to package directions. This will help to revitalize your plants and prepare them for the growing season. Do not fertilize spring flowering plants or trees until after they finish blooming.

 

Overseed Fescue Lawns: It is also a good time to overseed fescue lawns. If you are planning to sow fescue seed, do not apply a crabgrass preventer this spring. Not only will it prevent crabgrass from germinating, it can also prevent your grass seed from germinating. Sow warm season grass seed, such as Bermuda or centipede, after mid-May.

 

Plant Trees, Shrubs and Perennials: Dig a hole twice as wide as the plant’s root ball. Break up the soil in the planting area and improve the quality of the native soil by adding a generous amount of organic matter, like soil conditioner, planting soil or composted manure. If the plant or tree is growing in a container, you may notice that the roots are coiled around the soil. Gently loosen and spread the roots so they can grow downward and outward, as nature intended. Place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is even with or slightly above ground level. Fill in the hole with the soil mixture, then water the planting site thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. A strong, healthy root system will help to produce a plant with lush, vigorous top growth.  

 

Mulching: Pine straw, bark nuggets or bark mulches will help to control weed growth in your planting areas. The rays of the sun can not penetrate the mulching material, preventing sunlight from reaching the weed seeds in the soil. Without sunlight, many weed seeds are not able to germinate. When warmer weather returns, mulches also help to conserve moisture in the soil by decreasing water evaporation. 

 

Warm Season Annuals: Use caution when planting tender warm season annuals this early. In our part of the country, the average frost date is April 15. If you plant warm season annuals before this date, plant in moderation or plant them in containers that can be moved to a protected area if we experience temperatures below 45 degrees.