Gardening in March
March is here and March is Spring! Several seedlings and starts will be transplanted from greenhouse to garden this month. Even more varieties of seeds will be direct sown and, weather conditions cooperating, I should harvest the first fresh produce toward the end of the month.
March garden tasks:
Turn your soil: The layer of compost or manure applied last month or in the fall can now be turned in before planting seeds or starts.
Get a jump on weeds: A couple of weeks after starts have been planted, lay down a 2-4 inch thick layer of mulch, keeping it 1-2 inches away from plants. You can use grass clippings, shredded leaves, compost, newspaper or straw. Avoid wood chips or sawdust as a mulch as it can have an adverse effect on soil ph.
Fertilize and spray fruit trees: Early in the month is a good time to apply a high nitrogen fertilizer to your dormant fruit trees. I like to use well aged chicken manure. It is also a good practice to spray copper fungicide around the trees to reduce the risk of fungal infections.
Seeds and Starts to Plant in March:
(Based on my last frost date. Find yours here)
Arugula: Arugula must have cool weather to grow as heat will cause bolting. Direct sow seeds thinly, 1/2 inch deep, in rows 6 inches apart when soil temps reach 40°. Thin to 6 inches apart.
Beets: Direct sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart when soil temps reach 50°. Thin to 3-4 inches apart.
Cabbage: Harden off starts 1 week prior to planting. Plant 2-3 weeks before average last frost. Plant 12-18 inches apart, depending on size of head desired.
Carrots: Direct sow seeds 1/2 inch deep, thinly in rows spaced 6 inches apart when soil temps reach 50°. Thin to 3 inches apart.
Kale: Harden off starts 1 week prior to planting. Plant 2-3 weeks before average last frost. Plant 12 inches apart.
Lettuce: Harden off starts 1 week prior to planting. Plant around average last frost date. Plant 6-12 inches apart.
Onions: Harden off starts 1 week prior to planting. Plant 1-2 weeks before average last frost date. Plant 4-6 inches apart.
Potatoes: Plant seed potatoes 2-3 weeks after average last frost date. Plant 4 inches deep and 12 inches apart in trenches. For mid and late season varieties, hill soil around plants when they are 8 inches tall, leaving top exposed. Repeat once more for late season varieties.
Quinoa: Direct sow seeds thinly, 1/4 inch deep, late in the month, when soil temps reach 60°. Thin to 8 inches apart.
Turn your soil: The layer of compost or manure applied last month or in the fall can now be turned in before planting seeds or starts.
Get a jump on weeds: A couple of weeks after starts have been planted, lay down a 2-4 inch thick layer of mulch, keeping it 1-2 inches away from plants. You can use grass clippings, shredded leaves, compost, newspaper or straw. Avoid wood chips or sawdust as a mulch as it can have an adverse effect on soil ph.
Fertilize and spray fruit trees: Early in the month is a good time to apply a high nitrogen fertilizer to your dormant fruit trees. I like to use well aged chicken manure. It is also a good practice to spray copper fungicide around the trees to reduce the risk of fungal infections.
Seeds and Starts to Plant in March:
(Based on my last frost date. Find yours here)
Arugula: Arugula must have cool weather to grow as heat will cause bolting. Direct sow seeds thinly, 1/2 inch deep, in rows 6 inches apart when soil temps reach 40°. Thin to 6 inches apart.
Beets: Direct sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart when soil temps reach 50°. Thin to 3-4 inches apart.
Cabbage: Harden off starts 1 week prior to planting. Plant 2-3 weeks before average last frost. Plant 12-18 inches apart, depending on size of head desired.
Carrots: Direct sow seeds 1/2 inch deep, thinly in rows spaced 6 inches apart when soil temps reach 50°. Thin to 3 inches apart.
Kale: Harden off starts 1 week prior to planting. Plant 2-3 weeks before average last frost. Plant 12 inches apart.
Lettuce: Harden off starts 1 week prior to planting. Plant around average last frost date. Plant 6-12 inches apart.
Onions: Harden off starts 1 week prior to planting. Plant 1-2 weeks before average last frost date. Plant 4-6 inches apart.
Potatoes: Plant seed potatoes 2-3 weeks after average last frost date. Plant 4 inches deep and 12 inches apart in trenches. For mid and late season varieties, hill soil around plants when they are 8 inches tall, leaving top exposed. Repeat once more for late season varieties.
Quinoa: Direct sow seeds thinly, 1/4 inch deep, late in the month, when soil temps reach 60°. Thin to 8 inches apart.
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