Maid To Garden

In The Garden Of Good Living - March 2011 Signs Of Spring
by Pat Hendrickson

Spring officially begins on March 20th. But all month long the signs can be seen everywhere.

If you planted them last fall or in years past, your crocus should be popping all over the place very soon. Their cheery colors brighten up all the brown in the garden. Not long after them will come the daffodils.

Now is the time trees and shrubs start to bloom; like plums and forsythia. And, those little wildflowers are back making our yards look enchanted.

GARDENER'S PLANNER

Even though the weather can be cold and raw, and we have the occasional snow fall in March, now is the time to bust outside and get the garden started.

Cold weather plants like pansies, lettuce, peas, onions, spinach, and radishes can be started this month. Once the ground is no longer frozen garden beds can be tilled and prepared. If the soil is really wet give it a day or two before beginning.

But don't forget: We still can have hard freezes through the end of the month especially in the northern reaches of the peninsula. So be sure to protect your garden beds on cold nights with mulch, hay, black plastic, or burlap. Some people even use newspapers weighted down with rocks or scrap lumber. Just be sure and take them off during the warmer days.

Other Chores For March:

1. Trim partially broken branches and clear away other debris caused by March winds.
2. Many locations now prohibit burning yard waste so check your local ordinances about how & where to dispose of all the stuff. Consider renting a chipper to make your own compost or mulch.
3. Prune summer flowering trees, shrubs, grape vines, & evergreens, before new growth begins. For tips on pruning see the Maryland Cooperative Extension's guide to pruning:
http://delmarva-almanac.com/printables2011/HG84Pruningornamentalplants_000.pdf
4. Thin perennials when they are about 2" tall, usually by the end of the month.

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