Garden Activities for March

~What to do in the Garden in March~

Planning

•    Plan your vegetable garden for spring, summer, and fall vegetables that can be eaten fresh or preserved.  Container gardening might be a great option if sunny ground space is limited.

•    A soil thermometer can help you know when to plant vegetables. Some cool season crops (onions, kale, lettuce, and spinach) can be planted when the soil is consistently at or above 40F. You can also use this chart to estimate dates. Planting Date Chart

Maintenance and Clean Up

•       Compost grass clippings and yard waste.  Avoid pesticides (including weed and feed, weed killers, or insect killers).

  If pesticides have been used, do not compost contaminated plant material.

•       Spread compost over garden and landscape areas.



•       Fertilize evergreen shrubs and trees, only if needed. If established and healthy, their nutrient needs should be minimal.



•       Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blossoms fade.



•       Fertilize caneberries using band fertilizer, broadcast fertilizer or a complete fertilizer or composted manure.

•       Prune fall-bearing raspberries (in late-February or early-March).



Echinacea purpurea (Purple Cone Flower)

Planting/Propagation

•    Divide hosta, daylilies, mums, and other summer or fall blooming perennials that need dividing.



•    Use stored scion wood to graft fruit and ornamental trees.

  This is an informative article from the University of Minnesota.  Please note that in Oregon we graft earlier in the year.

•    Plant insectary plants (e.g. Alyssum, Phacelia, coriander, candytuft, sunflower, yarrow, and dill) to attract beneficial insects to the garden. See Encouraging Beneficial Insects in Your Garden (PNW550).



•    If soil is dry enough, prepare vegetable garden and plant early cool-season crops (carrots, beets, broccoli, leeks, parsley, chives, rhubarb, peas, onion, and radishes).

•    Plant berry crops (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, and other berry-producing crop plants). See OSU Extension publications for berry varieties.

Pest Monitoring and Management

•    Spray trees and shrubs for webworms and leafrollers, only if present.



•    Protect new plant growth from slugs. Least toxic management options include barriers and traps. Baits are also available for slug control; use with caution around pets. Read and follow all label

•    Learn to identify the predatory insects that can help keep aphids and other pests under control.

  See this article from Washington State University Extension.

•    Prune densely growing mature ornamental shrubs and trees for air circulation, which helps reduce fungal disease.  See this article from Purdue University about pruning shrubs and trees. 

•    Monitor landscape plants for damage or disease. Don't treat unless a problem is identified. Ask Master Gardeners if you're not sure about whether something is a problem or what to do about it. You can even email us a photo.
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