March

Apply fertilizer to spring flowering bulbs as soon as shoots start poking through the ground. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

Stay out of the vegetable garden until the soil is dry enough to work.

Prune blueberry bushes late this month to maintain 6 - 9 branches per plant. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

Do a thorough garden clean-up at the end of the month.

Be on the watch for swarming termites and carpenter ants. For more information regarding termites, see our fact sheet on this topic. For more information regarding carpenter ants, see our fact sheet on this topic.

Look for blooming crocus, pansies and witch hazel.

Be careful of damping off of seedlings. Use only a sterile seed starting mix. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

Discard straggly holiday plants.

Do NOT fertilize lawns at this time of year. Wait until Memorial Day. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

Transplant shrubs and other woody plants while they are still in a dormant state. Do not apply fertilizer at planting. This would encourage vegetative growth. You want the root system to become established first.

Begin sowing seeds for your summer crops and annuals now. Keep humidity high during germination by using covers over the flats. Light is not essential for germination. Once germinated, use lights or keep in a sunny window. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

Look for blooming crocus to welcome the arrival of spring. Make a note to purchase and plant these and other spring flowering bulbs in the fall.

Cut back the dead foliage from last year's perennials (ornamental grasses being one of them) now.

When the soil is dry enough to work incorporate lime and fertilizer to the vegetable garden only if needed. Check your soils pH first. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

Late March is a great time to plant pansies to brighten up the end of the winter.

Monitor your trees. Spraying horticultural oils on deciduous trees before the buds break and after the danger of freezing nights will smother the eggs before the crawlers get a chance to nibble. Check with us for Cornell Recommendations on specific trees and shrubs.

Check your spraying schedule for your cherries, apples, peach and other fruit trees.

Sharpen the lawn mower bade and other gardening tools. Exercise safety. Take an inventory of your garden supplies and equipment.

Plant new trees and shrubs now. They would benefit from the early spring rainfall. For a list of recommended trees and shrubs,see our fact sheet. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

Apply fertilizer to spring flowering bulbs as soon as shoots start poking through the ground or after flowering. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

Last updated March 7, 2018