MARCH ................................. Average Daily Temp: 59 - Average Rainfall: 4.9
PLANT: Shrubs, including roses, perennials and seasonal plants purchased in pots from nursery. Refer to January and February for how-to. Plant hydrangeas (part shade - facing north or east), maidenhair fern (protected, shady areas) tuberoses, clematis and more seeds if desired. See February.
PRUNE: Complete pruning deadwood from climbing roses and vines. Prune crape myrtles. Hold off general heavy pruning of blooming trees and shrubs until after flowers fade.
CLEAN UP: Rake all old pine straw from roses, spray bushes and ground around bushes with fungicide to prevent blackspot. Add new mulch or new pine straw. Hardwood mulch is more stable than pinebark.
FEED: By March 15 start to fertilize all roses, shrubs and blooming plants (except newly planted ones), with quick acting fertilizer to stimulate Spring growth and bloom. Balanced liquid fertilizer is very quick acting (Peters Special or Miracle Gro), and it is ok to add granular 13-13-13 or 8-8-8 at the same time. Always apply fertilizer away from plant's main trunk, applying evenly under plant canopy. Feed earliest flowering shrubs (camellia, flowering quince and forsythia) the balanced granular type; use bone meal on bulbs and corms after blooming. Apply potassium nitrate lightly around camellias. Feed pentas, pansies, dusty miller, sweet william (dianthus), etc. with either balanced liquid or granules. Generally, less fertilizer, applied more frequently, produces best results. However, roses and hibiscus require more generous fertilizer applications. Always read package directions. Always water in. Repeat: always water in all fertilizer. Conditions for fertilizer take-up is even better if the ground is already damp. Throughout the growing season, two of the most important gardening chores are watering and feeding. If plants are stressed, lighten up on food, but do not allow the plants to suffer from lack of water. A good "stress" fertilizer is 0-0-60 (potassium). You may not see the results immediately because activity is happening in the root zone, but, if applied according to directions printed on the bag, you should soon see a healthier plant. Now is the time to apply two to three inches of compost. Do not use fresh chicken litter, manure or tree shavings. Use only if a year or so old.
For organic maintenance, see Howard Grant, the Dirt Doctor at http://www.dirtdoctor.com
PRUNE: Complete pruning deadwood from climbing roses and vines. Prune crape myrtles. Hold off general heavy pruning of blooming trees and shrubs until after flowers fade.
CLEAN UP: Rake all old pine straw from roses, spray bushes and ground around bushes with fungicide to prevent blackspot. Add new mulch or new pine straw. Hardwood mulch is more stable than pinebark.
FEED: By March 15 start to fertilize all roses, shrubs and blooming plants (except newly planted ones), with quick acting fertilizer to stimulate Spring growth and bloom. Balanced liquid fertilizer is very quick acting (Peters Special or Miracle Gro), and it is ok to add granular 13-13-13 or 8-8-8 at the same time. Always apply fertilizer away from plant's main trunk, applying evenly under plant canopy. Feed earliest flowering shrubs (camellia, flowering quince and forsythia) the balanced granular type; use bone meal on bulbs and corms after blooming. Apply potassium nitrate lightly around camellias. Feed pentas, pansies, dusty miller, sweet william (dianthus), etc. with either balanced liquid or granules. Generally, less fertilizer, applied more frequently, produces best results. However, roses and hibiscus require more generous fertilizer applications. Always read package directions. Always water in. Repeat: always water in all fertilizer. Conditions for fertilizer take-up is even better if the ground is already damp. Throughout the growing season, two of the most important gardening chores are watering and feeding. If plants are stressed, lighten up on food, but do not allow the plants to suffer from lack of water. A good "stress" fertilizer is 0-0-60 (potassium). You may not see the results immediately because activity is happening in the root zone, but, if applied according to directions printed on the bag, you should soon see a healthier plant. Now is the time to apply two to three inches of compost. Do not use fresh chicken litter, manure or tree shavings. Use only if a year or so old.
For organic maintenance, see Howard Grant, the Dirt Doctor at http://www.dirtdoctor.com