Can you believe that it’s March already? I feel like we just celebrated the New Year! The good news is, spring isn’t as far off as it was then, and I get so excited at the prospect of a new beginning in the garden! I hope you will, too, with these March Garden Tips.
March Garden Tips
In case you’re new here, it just so happens that I live in the Northeastern U.S., otherwise known as a “Frozen Tundra!”
AND I live up the mountain. (Altitude makes a difference.)
If you are further south, most likely you will be further ahead in the garden than I am. If you are in the U.S., check HERE for your local agricultural zone and adjust your tasks accordingly.
Don’t feel sorry for us, though! We love it here!
There is nothing like the changing seasons, for sure.
Without further ado, let’s get right into it:
Garden for Your Zone
1- Check your last frost dates if you haven’t already. Look at your seed packets and count backward to see if it is too soon to start planting seeds indoors or in your greenhouse. Some things may have to stay indoors for a while. (Especially if you live in an area with a long winter like ours.) After you’ve done that, grab your paper and pencil to get some ideas flowing. This is an important step in garden planning.
Clear Out Dead Bits
2- Remove dead branches from trees and shrubs as needed. It’s not easy to do when it’s snowing, but on a day when you get a little sunshine, seize the moment! Did some branches break because of heavy snowfall or ice? Do you have piles of branches left in heaps under your trees from pruning? If you can enlist a helper it will be faster and more fun.
Outbuildings and Sheds
3- Start cleaning out the potting shed or potting bench. In other words, get yourself organized. We tend to shove things and dump them into our shed during the off-season, only to curse ourselves come spring. Get your bins, bags, and wheelbarrows to clear, clean, and declutter! If you cleaned up your tools in January or February, you’re already a little ahead of the game!
Greenhouse?
4- If you have a greenhouse, clean that out, too. We’ve only had our greenhouse for a couple of years now, and this could easily become yet another dumping ground during the off-season. Especially if you live in such a cold, snowy climate as we do.
But…a greenhouse can certainly become your best friend when it comes to extending the growing season!
While you’re at it, take out that paper and pencil again to jot down what needs to be done in the greenhouse.
Plant Alliums
5- If the ground is not frozen, then you most certainly don’t live in the Catskills! But seriously, if it isn’t frozen, plant some garlic, onions, and/or potatoes. Plan carefully for their springtime companions, for example – make sure you have space for beets or kale near your onions.
Prune Trees While Still Dormant
6- Prune those trees if you haven’t yet! There isn’t a whole lot of time left before spring thaw. Even if you can’t get it done RIGHT NOW, put it on the calendar (pick a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice for your dates) and do it without excuses! Barring, of course, another horrific snowstorm.
This is also much easier and faster with a helper.
Never Stop Tidying
(OK, so I read the Marie Kondo books…..AND watched the series. Hey, gardening is what “sparks joy” for me!)
7- As the snow keeps melting and you keep seeing all the debris you couldn’t clean up because it snowed too early, don’t fret and look at it through the window! Get those thermal undies on, layer up, get outside, and get a chunk of it cleared away. You’ll be glad you did when planting time arrives.
Divide Perennials
8- If you notice that perennials are peeking through, and if the ground can be worked, divide some of those plants.
My favorite flowers here are Daylilies, Evening Primroses, Bachelor Buttons, Peonies, and Phlox.
My favorite perennial herbs to divide include chives, thyme, sorrel, mint, and oregano.
Here are some Bachelor Buttons poking through to greet the new season:
Add Your Own Items to the List
As you can see, the majority of my tasks are cleaning up and organizing to prepare for the season ahead. I like to think of it as Spring Cleaning for the outdoors.
Are there other items you can add to this list?
I’d love to know.
But I believe your list will be a little different than mine. We all have our priorities and our climates vary.
And don’t forget to check the USDA map for your zone!
For more garden help, read “No Green Thumb? No Problem! Gardening”
SIGN UP to subscribe and get your FREE E-GUIDE OF MONTHLY GARDEN CHECKLISTS at the top of this page!
Check out the March Garden Tips Video HERE!
Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know how your garden is growing this March!
Hopefully, we’ll experience a thaw soon. Sometimes we get frosts as late as June. We’ll just have to see about that!
Blessings to you and yours!
🩷
Wendy
For more reading:
Pin For Later:
Leave A Comment