Monthly Gardening Advice

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

March

• OVERSEED FESCUE LAWNS: Sow fescue seed when daytime temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees. 
  
  
• PRUNE CAMELLIAS: If needed, prune camellias after blooming is complete, and then feed them with Azalea Camellia and Gardenia Food.
   
• FERTILIZE SHRUBS AND TREES: Fertilize trees, shrubs and ground covers when new growth starts to appear. Wait to fertilize spring-blooming trees and shrubs until just after they finish blooming.
  
  
• STRAWBERRIES: Plant strawberry plants and enjoy them all spring!
   
• DIVIDE PERENNIALS: Divide perennials as needed before new growth advances too much.
   
• HOUSEPLANTS: Fertilize houseplants and repot if needed.
   
• PRUNE ROSES: If you haven't already done so, prune roses. Prune 1/3 of the canes on climbers, prune hybrid teas to 18", then fertilize with E. B. Stone Organics Rose and Flower Food.
   
• PRUNE BUTTERFLY BUSHES: Cut back butterfly bushes to 1/3 the size you want them to become this summer.
   
• GARDENIAS: Check gardenias for whiteflies. Use Insecticidal Soap to control.
   
• LACEBUGS: Look for lacebug damage on plant leaves. If the leaves look speckled or mottled, spray the plant with an appropriate insecticide.  
  
  
• FERTILIZE BULBS: Fertilize spring-blooming bulbs with one pound of bulb food per 100 square feet of bed.
   
• SUMMER BULBS: For best selection, buy summer bulbs like gladiola, cannas, irises, dahlias and lilies.  Wait until mid to late April to plant.
   
• KUDZU: Spray poison ivy and kudzu vines with Roundup when the new leaves appear.
   
• PREPARE YOUR GARDEN BED: Prepare the soil for the summer garden. Be careful not to work the soil if it's too wet.
   
• If you did not do so in February, apply a pre-emergent herbicide (crabgrass preventer) to established lawns before March 15. If you plan to seed fescue lawns, do not apply a pre-emergent. It will prevent the grass seed from germinating. 
  
  
• FERTILIZE FESCUE: Apply the first application of fertilizer to fescue lawns.