march

Fertilize your lawn and put crabgrass preventer down once the forsythia start to bloom. Make sure you read the labels and follow directions closely.  Use a rotary spreader to help avoid striping. 

Mix compost into your vegetable garden beds when the soil is workable.

Plant cool season vegetables around the first day of spring.  These include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, lettuce, and other salad greens. Garden Shack Farm has cool season vegetable plants available for delivery. 

Start seeds for herbs, slow-growing summer vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, and annual flowers!  Alternately, you can still pre-order your spring plants at www.gardenshackshop.com.

Cut perennials and over-wintering ornamental grasses back to 2-3 inches from the ground.

Clean out and edge landscape beds. Use a heavy metal spade to cut a nice crisp edge along the bed edges and rake out all the detritus from the winter, even the old chips of wood from the mulch.

Fertilize and use pre-emergent in your landscape beds.  Now is the best time to put your weed preventer down.  You have those beds cleaned out and weed-free, so save yourself some time later.

Mulch your landscape beds. It is not too early!  If the weather is nice in March, you will be done with this and can spend more time on the vegetable gardens or in your yard in April and May. What kind of mulch is right for you?  Here are some options.

It’s still a great time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials!

Get your lawn mower ready with sharp blades, fresh oil, and fuel.  Mowing usually begins the first week of April so it will be here before you know it!

Fertilize houseplants as they resume growing with the return of longer days.

If it snows (it can happen), brush snow off your shrubs and trees as they can get damaged by heavy loads.

Check trees and flat surfaces for gypsy moth and spotted lanternfly egg masses. Here are pictures and more information.

Remember that ticks can live through the winter and can be active any time the temperature is above freezing.  Take necessary precautions when outside.  

Head outside as the temperatures warm up!