Gardening Activities for March

March is an exciting time in the garden as spring-flowering bulbs begin to bloom and trees and shrubs begin to leaf out. The recent mild temperatures are motivating us to get out in the garden and there is much to be done this month.

PRUNING

Some shrubs (like forsythia) will begin to bloom soon. These early-blooming shrubs can be pruned immediately after the flowers have finished.

Forsythia – On older plants, remove the oldest canes completely to the ground. Trim the remaining canes back by about one-fourth to one-half.

Hydrangea – Lightly prune mophead and lacecap hydrangeas. Cut off the dried flower-heads by trimming the canes back to the first set of buds (from the top). The paniculata and ‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas are different. These are the hydrangeas with large white blooms in late summer. They can be cut back completely to the ground or as low as you’d like. The blooms will form on new growth.

Ornamental Grasses – Shear back these grasses down to the ground as temperatures begin to rise.

Roses – Prune roses and remove diseased leaves. Hybrid tea roses are generally pruned down to 1-3 feet to the ground. Shrub roses and floribunda roses should be cut back by 1/3 or 1/2. In addition to cutting back, completely remove older canes, diseased canes and those that are thinner than a pencil.

Clematis – Large flowered varieties that bloom later in the season can be cut back now. Do not cut early blooming varieties, such as clematis montana and evergreen clematis (clematis armandii) until after they bloom.

Evergreen Hedges – Laurel and conifer hedges can be sheared now.

Red-Twig Dogwood – These shrub dogwoods should be cut back (about 1-2 feet) if you want to maintain the colorful stems in the winter.

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) & Hardy Fuchsia – Cut back all dead hardy fuchsia foliage. Butterfly bushes should be cut back about 1-2 feet.

Other shrubs to be pruned immediately after flowering include:

• Abelia
• Azalea / Rhododendron
• Camellia
• Heath / Heather
• Mahonia
• Quince
• Witch Hazel

FERTILIZING

• Trees and shrubs can be fertilized now if needed.
• Flower borders will benefit with a scattering of all-purpose fertilizer (such as 10-10-10),
• Bamboo can be fertilized with grass fertilizer near the end of the month.
• Lawns should be fertilized near the end of the month or in early April.

Other March Tasks –

• Cut back old perennial foliage if you have not done so already.
• Lightly spread compost over beds and borders.
• Plant shrubs, roses, perennials and trees.
• Prepare vegetable beds.
• Some vegetable seeds can be planted outside now. This includes beets, peas, fava beans, cabbage, green onions, onion sets, shallots, mustard greens, spinach, swiss chard, and radish. Wait until the end of the month to plant carrot seeds.
• Some cool season crops (onions, kale, lettuce and spinach) can be planted when the soil is consistently at or above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Chit potatoes for planting later in the month.