March comes in like a lion and suddenly your garden is in bloom. Bees, blossoms and birds reappear and buds swell with the promise of color and greenery. It is nearly impossible to cure your gardening itch without sinking your hands into the dirt and preparing the garden for spring.

Pruning

Pruning fruit trees and roses is an important task to accomplish during the month of March. You should remove dying branches and any crisscrossed stems or branches. Prune for an open, shapely look that allows light to penetrate the canopy and plenty of room for fruit or flowers.

Weeding

Weeds are just beginning to take root for the season, and removing them now will be much easier than waiting until they are large and established. A hoe may be an adequate tool for disrupting the growth of smaller weeds. Larger weeds should be removed by the root so they cannot regrow in the same spot. A weekly commitment to removing weeds will make this task less daunting and help you to keep up with these fast-growing pests.

Digging

Many gardeners will be tempted to rototill the soil or double dig their garden beds to prepare for planting. However, the Pacific Northwest is very soggy in the spring, and digging or rototilling wet clay can result in compaction which damages the natural drainage properties. It is important to wait for a dry day and for soils to be moist – but not wet – before digging your garden soil.

growing in the city

Sowing

It is far too early to sow most types of garden seeds in March, with the exception of cool-season crops such as peas, carrots, onions, broccoli and greens. It is not too early to start other types of seeds in a heated greenhouse or in your home with supplemental lighting. Soils and temperatures typically do not warm up to adequate temperatures for planting until May, but March and April are excellent for planning, preparing and indoor seed growing. Your seed packets will provide instructions for planting, but it is important that those instructions are specific to the climate in the Pacific Northwest; purchasing local seeds will ensure that they will thrive.

Slug Control

Muddy soils and decayed foliage are the winter home of slugs and their eggs; as spring arrives they will swarm your tender new plants to satisfy their voracious appetites. Slugs can be manually controlled in a small garden by simply plucking them off your plants with your hands. Slug bait is quick and effective to control slugs; however, you should choose an organic bait that is not harmful to aquatic animals or to pets.

Dividing

Perennial ornamentals such as hostas, iris and daylilies should be divided and replanted during the month of March. The new spring growth should help you identify where to dig and how to divide the plants. If they are not regularly divided, these perennials will become overcrowded and fewer blooms will be the end result.

We at Alair Homes love to see beautiful gardens surrounding the homes we build and in our local communities. Gardening in the Pacific Northwest is a rewarding hobby that enhances the look of your home and landscape while providing you with fresh homegrown food and flowers. Completing your March gardening tasks will help your garden be ready for a beautiful, bountiful garden this summer.