March Garden Checklist

Garden die-hards are happy when March rolls around, especially in the more mild climates. Trees are budding out, birds are chirping, and everywhere around there are signs of new life. Little wonder that Spring is the favorite season of so many people. And those of you in colder climates — I haven’t forgotten about you! I realize it’s not your high garden month, but you can console yourself with the fact that your time is drawing near.

As always, please consult with your local county extension office or a trusted garden center for the best times to plant in your area.

Plan:

March can be a month with unpredictable weather — remember to record significant weather events in your garden journal. Make a list of new plants to include this year for our pollinator friends — milkweed for monarchs, dill and fennel for swallowtails, and rosemary, basil, parsley, cilantro, and dill blooms for bees.

Prepare/Maintain:

Begin monitoring plants for pest and disease issues. Control weeds, particularly in areas where the weather is warming up. Refresh mulch as necessary, and add soil amendments and compost if needed.

• Zones 5-6 can prune grapes and fruit trees, while
• Zones 9-10 can prune and fertilize citrus trees.

Sow/Plant Indoors:

• Zones 6-8 can start seeds for beets, cabbage, carrots, kale, lettuce, onions, peppers, spinach and tomatoes and beans.
• Zones 9-10 can start seeds for Brussels sprouts and squash.

Sow/Plant Outdoors:

• Zone 6 can plant potatoes, and move cauliflower and broccoli transplants outdoors to a cold frame.
• Zone 7 can begin planting broccoli, cauliflower and peas.
• Zone 8 can begin planting beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, peas, spinach and tomatoes.
• Zones 9-10 can plant all the same plants as zone 8 with the addition of corn, beans, cucumbers, and peppers.

Harvest:

• Zones 9-10 continue to harvest broccoli, lettuce, peas, and spinach as they become ready.

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